Foundation Inspires Children at BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells
VegasTennis.com’s Marty Hennessy Jr. Tennis Foundation took their annual trip down to Indian Wells, California in hopes of inspiring children as they watched the top players at the BNP Paribas Open. Most of the the best players compete in the BNP Paribas Open, like Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Ivanovic and Safina. It is one of the few majors that have both the top women and men at the same event.
“It was great to take our top eight student athletes, who all have A’s in school and reward them with this inspirational trip,” explained Hilliary Heard the Foundations Executive Director. “They can see up close how points are constructed, where players contact the ball and the over all intensity and professionalism of the pros.”
The kids were treated to a first class experience thanks to Julius Kazarian, GM of the SPA Hotel and Casino in Palm Springs.
“There is nothing like pro tennis and a trip like this to inspire these children to keep training and stay on track in school,” said Marty Hennessy.
VegasTennis.com’s Hennessy Jr. Tennis Foundation is a USTA-Nevada NJTL created to inspire children through tennis, mentoring and education. The Foundation offers children programs that help the community through novice, district and national tournaments, after school programs, nutritional and life skills mentoring, tutoring and SAT prep, high performance training, leadership breakfasts, movie nights, a traveling team, an East Coast Leadership tour to 15 cities, that features daily speakers, tennis, historical sites, eight college visits and 15 speakers. The Foundation provides scholarships for children in need of financial support. To support the Foundation contact Hilliary Heard at Inspiringchildren@gmail.com.
USTA-Nevada Member of the Month – Keith Brill
Keith Brill’s personal passion is tennis. Aside from being a full-time doctor, Keith and his wife, Daniella, are major tennis advocates. Keith is a member of four league teams, while captaining the men’s 3.5 team. He is a tournament supporter and true ambassador of the game as he constantly encourages newcomers to the sport to get better.
Keith is also continually working on hi game by taking lessons from Red Rock’s director of instruction, Tyler Weekes. The Red Rock tennis program is inspired by Keith’s love for the game and USTA-Nevada appreciates all he does to grow tennis as a player, sponsor and captain.
Intimate Days at BNP Paribas Open
By Ryan Wolfington
When you walk into the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, you see the vision of three men and their 30 year vision. Charlie Pasarell, Raymond Moore and Steve Simon have created the Grand Slam of the West. Apart from hosting the world’s best players. the atmosphere is full of possibility, hope and excitement, which inspire people to come back year after year. That explains why their volunteer army exceeds 750 people, and why legends like Jack Kramer, Billie Jean King and Vic Braden converge to share their life experiences.
“In the past couple weeks I covered NASCAR, boxing, and basketball, and this tournament is the most inclusive for the fans that I have ever experienced “ said a reporter.
When you have the press, the fans and the players singing your praises, something positive is happening. Nothing compares to the rows of brightly colored flowers, freshly cut green grass, sunny days and breathtaking mountain vistas.
What is it about The BNP Paribas Open that makes people go home with warm feelings and happy memories unlike anything else? “The grass, that’s my favorite. The outside lawns always leave an impression on me,” said Las Vegas tennis player Jeff Vongman.
Getting autographs, seeing the players up-close and watching at the practice courts are some of the bonuses fans bragged about, as well as the personal, intimate feeling that tournament has created. It’s a tennis event with all the conveniences of modern day luxuries merged together with the peacefulness and nostalgia of tennis culture from the past. By pure ingenuity, Pasarell et al have incorporated the best of yesterday and melded it with today.
Las Vegans have been going to The BNP Paribas Open since it’s inception. One such family, Dr. Jeff and Lisa Parker, have had box seats for over 16 years.
“This is our time each year to get together as a family,” explained Mrs. Parker, who has four children all who played high level tennis. “This tournament has an intimate feel, they get autographs and have gotten close to the players over the years.”
