Summer in the Winter at the 2018 New York Tennis Expo

February 20, 2018 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
beach tennis 1

 

The 2018 New York Tennis Expo was the fifth installment of the Expo hosted by Long Island and New York Tennis Magazines, but it was the first to feature a Beach Tennis Arena as a part of the event’s Activity Zone.

Each time the New York Tennis Expo is held, Long Island and New York Tennis Magazine look to be innovative and create an environment that is exciting and fun for the thousands of attendees. This year, with the Expo being in the winter for the first time, the idea of having “Summer in the Winter” was broached, and people were able to kick their shoes off and jump out on the sand. It was a huge hit as the sand court was packed all day with kids and adults.  The Expo served as the Opening Day for the NY Open ATP World Tour event and brought in close to 4,000 attendees. 

It may have been winter outside, but it felt like summer inside with a sand-filled beach tennis court where attendees and guests could try out one of the fastest growing racket sports.  SEXY Beach Tennis provided the paddles and balls, while pros from New York Beach Tennis manned the courts, playing points with other players and conducted drills. 

 

The Beach Tennis Arena was one of the most popular activities throughout the day and everyone from ATP Pro Tour players to young kids were curious to learn about Beach Tennis and to step on the sand and try it out.

And once you try it, you love it! 

Beach Tennis is still a small sport here in the U.S. but it is growing all around the world with it’s largest bases of players in Italy (where it originated), Brazil, France, Aruba and Venezuela. In the United States,  New York, California, and Florida are the main hubs as local organizations operate weekly play and ITF/IFBT Tournaments.  At the New York Tennis Expo, with many trying beach tennis for the first time, hundreds of people came off the sand and gave their information to the NY Beach Tennis group, so they could come and play more this summer.  New York Beach Tennis will have weekly practices that will culminate with four tournaments:  June 23, July 14 and two more, where they will join forces with SEXY Beach Tennis, for two ITF events in August. 

The Beach Tennis Arena was a welcomed addition to the Expo as attendees of all ages stepped onto the sand to try their hand at the sport. At the end of the day, two SEXY Beach Tennis paddles were raffled off, and New York Beach Tennis was able to introduce its summer series of tournaments to thousands of interested attendees.

“NYBT has infused life into the beach tennis community in New York, using its vast resources to create a young, athletic and talented base of players that is growing yearly,” said David Sickmen, Founder and Owner of NYBT. “There is such a positive buzz around what we are doing here, and so many good tennis players and athletes are getting involved. We have full tournament draws, professional organization and great people involved who have made today and our Summers on the sand fun for everyone.”

Beach Tennis is a sport but also a culture. The atmosphere both on and off the court is what brings people back and gets players “hooked” on the game. For this game to continue to grow, organizations, players, and promoters will need to work together. 

“NYBT wants to thank SEXY Brand, LLC, it’s Owner Mark Bonfigli, and Head Sales Representative Marty Salokas for collaborating with us on this event,” added Sickmen. “The goal is of course to grow the sport and today we exposed it to people who have never seen it as well as to ATP Tour Officials and ATP Tour Players.” 

SEXY Beach Tennis has a store in Hermosa Beach and you find them online at https://sexybrand.com.

For more information regarding New York Beach Tennis please email info@usptennis.com

 

 

 


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
USTA NTC
Century

March/April 2024 Digital Edition