YMCA Tennis – “So-o-o-o Kickin’”
“We have to bring back American tennis!” So says 1993 French Open doubles champion Luke Jensen, adding, “you’ve already got the talent – now all it takes is hard work and dedication.”
Jensen was speaking to the top American 18 and under boys tennis players at the annual “Nats at the Zoo” national tournament held in Kalamazoo earlier this month. He was there with his brother and doubles champion Murphy Jensen to put on an opening ceremony doubles exhibition for the crowd of 500 tennis enthusiasts.The Jensens themselves are no strangers to hard work, and were always considered scrappy fighters on the tennis court. They espouse the same principles that the YMCA teaches in all of its tennis programs, for tots all the way up to older adults – hard work, dedication, and an attitude of fun can take you as far as you want to go in life, on or off the tennis court.
It is that very combination of hard work and fun that has produced two current Midwest Section top ten players from the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA, Elliott Bandrowski (Midwest Boys 10s #6) and CJ Shoults (Midwest Boys 10s #5). “At the Y, every kid has a chance to be a CJ or an Elliott or even a Luke or a Murphy,” said YMCA CEO and tennis pro Tom Van Deinse. “That’s what we do at the Y – we build strong kids!”
Ludington natives, Luke and Murphy Jensen will return to Northern Michigan this November to put on another exhibition – this time to promote fundraising efforts for the six-court tennis facility portion of the New Y project in Traverse City. Known for their flamboyant character both on and off the court, the duo are sure to put on a great show, to be held at the current aged YMCA facility on Racquet Club Drive in Traverse City. “Murphy and I are going to spice it up a bit. That ‘exo’ could get so-o-o-o kickin’,” Jensen told us. “I was just up there last winter training for the Iditarod,” added Murphy, now a California resident and neighbor of Sam Query, a top American tennis star. “I love it up there. We’ll have a great time!”
“The exhibition is a few months away,” commented Van Deinse, “but the festivities begin in just a few weeks.” On Saturday, September 3 the ‘Our Serve’ tennis group will put on a fundraising tennis tournament. Proceeds will help construct the New Y tennis facility, and winners may even qualify for a chance to hit with the Jensens at the November exhibition. “We expect a great tournament turnout,” said Van Deinse, “everybody wants to meet the Jensens!” Registration deadline is August 27. Click here for registration form.The YMCA board of directors changed plans recently to include the six-court indoor tennis facility on the first phase of construction of the New Y. “Now is the time for the tennis community to stand up and show support for the project,” said Henry Peet, New Y campaign chair.
Van Deinse noted that besides donating through the Community Foundation’s website at www.4good4ever.org, tennis supporters could follow Peet’s invitation to support the project by attending the September 3 fundraiser, joining the “Our Serve” New Y support group, attending the November Jensen exhibition, or even contacting the Y about major gift naming opportunities.
For more information about the September 3 tennis fundraiser, the Jensen exhibition in November, or the New Y project, contact YMCA Director of Development and Marketing Dave Eitland at 933-YMCA or visit www.gtbayymca.org.
