At this time, it almost feels as though we are in a war zone, preparing for battle; there are no supermarkets that I’ve visited with a steady supply of eggs and toilet paper anywhere (but if you know of any, HMU; the grocery store employee said she might resort to buying a chicken to lay some eggs – ha, good one); fights are breaking out, and it’s like we are walking on eggshells – it’s truly a trying time, and I think it goes without saying that we are all hoping and praying that we’ll get through this well. Should this pandemic escalate, though, thank goodness for the medical professionals and everyone taking on at-risk jobs in order to protect the well being of countless others; and of course, thank gosh for the troops and service men and women who have risked their lives in serving this country. Many of the latter have turned to tennis after their service after never playing before, and although their enjoyment from playing tennis might be tabled for now, the swinging should pick up soon.
My dad, Stu Kobak, was a perfect example of someone who took up tennis later in life and used it as an outlet for releasing stress and the traumatic memories affiliated with the Vietnam War in which he served. As a veteran, I am certain that he would be proud of the work that the non-profit, Tennis Serving Vets, has provided veterans of all different backgrounds in the scope of wartime service. Co-founded by USTA Eastern employee Allison Goldman and Yonkers Tennis Center Tennis Professional and Tournament Director Luis Chirinos two years ago, Tennis Serving Vets aims to provide a platform for United States veterans to learn, experience and love the game of tennis, which can be taught at any age and in any place.
“Tennis is something you can do for your entire life,” Chirinos says. “[Veterans] tend to isolate themselves, so we’re getting into that social aspect.”
Socially speaking, tennis can be extremely social and attracts sociable personalities. Although people across the world are currently practicing social isolation, tennis players included, perhaps telling human interest stories surrounding tennis can mitigate the anxiety many have been feeling about COVID-19.Tennis Serving Vets is the first organization of its kind to open its arms to veterans who reside driving distance from the Yonkers Tennis Center. The program started out as an extension of its sister program in California, run by Steve Kappes. Everyone participating in the on-court demonstrations and practice sessions are volunteers, from West Coast to East Coast.
“There’s nothing here on the East Coast that does things [like what we do] for the veterans,” says Chirinos about the previous lack of resources in tennis for veterans living in the area.
One of Chirinos’ first students in the Tennis Serving Vets program, Isaac Cortes, received unofficial treatment for his PTSD from playing tennis.
“Tennis helped him on his path to recovery,” says Chirinos about his current student, who will have to take a break from playing given what’s going on in the world.
Instead of using the yellow ball that older juniors, leagues and professional players use, the veterans play with tennis balls typically played in 10 and under tennis competitions, according to Chirinos. While TSV has used 10 & under balls before, the teaching pros often use yellow balls, too.
“We are hoping to get a grant so we can purchase more 10 & under balls,” says Chirinos about what the organization needs moving forward in order to provide veterans with equal options for everyone participating in on-court demos. “The issue is we don’t get have enough 10 & under balls for all of our veterans.”
According to Goldman, she thought “if this is good for children, why isn’t it good for people for other types of rehab?” That’s a very good point – balls can be adaptable, much like how the orange dot balls are used for this new, up-and-coming sport called beach tennis. But for the veterans sticking to playing regular tennis and are new to the game, the lighter tennis balls and smaller courts make good sense in getting the new tennis players acclimated. There are also veterans on the tennis court who can play with yellow tennis balls as well.
Lessons and group classes offered by TSV, which are at no cost to the veterans, are structured as such where each court has their own pro and each court is dedicated to a specific stroke; games are conducted toward the end, all of which was based off of Steve Kappes’s guidance.
“We came together and then we said ‘let’s do this for the veteran community,” says Goldman about the initiative which sees an average of 20-30 people attending each event with high retention numbers. “We’re getting the message across to the veteran community in the right way.”
Another veteran, Charles Hernandez, often brings his family to the TSV events.
“Its definitely a familiar affair,” Luis says. “I could see the progress – he’s much more open.”
Speaking of Opens, that’s where many of veterans played two summers ago, at the famous grounds of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, home of the US Open. Not only did vets play tennis there, but they did it on the grandest stage: center stage inside of the main stadium.
“They had time on Ashe and right before the match at noon when the crowd was shuffling in,” says Goldman on how that day went during the USTA event featuring some veterans who play in TSV events. The experience of being on Ashe gave the players a taste of and the adrenaline rush that the Grand Slam players experience during match play.
The resources that TSV provides for the veteran community gives those members something they otherwise might never have gotten: an introduction to the game we love so much. Now these folks have this skill for the rest of their lives, and can share them with family and friends and anyone who wants to learn what they did – and pass it on even more.
“That feeling of contact with the ball is so powerful, especially when you’re coming back from the injury,” says Goldman, who knows what it’s like to have injuries, and drew from that experience to help others use tennis as a vehicle for recovery. “It’s amazing for you; it releases endorphins and makes you feel better, and helps with [stabilization].”
