CHICAGO (WLS) — Tennis fans of all ages gathered at Gallagher Way on Sunday for a free community event that invited participants to pick up a racket and hit the courts.
For 10-year-old Mara Bowman and her cousins, the event turned into a family outing centered around the sport.
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“It’s a really fun sport, and you can really achieve your goals,” Bowman said.
This year marked the fourth installment of the Wimbledon in Chicago event.
“We live nearby, because we love tennis because we have small kids to entertain, and because it’s a beautiful day at Wrigley Field,” said event-goer Monir Hachem.
“It helps me make new friends like when you’re training. You might see other people and nearby tennis court, and you can say, like, ‘Hi,'” said Hugo Hachem.
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The casual, open-court experience unfolded just outside Wrigley Field, one day before the famed Wimbledon tournament was set to begin in London. Eight-year-old David Bowman said he was not ready to predict a champion, but his enthusiasm for tennis was clear.
“You got to get to work as a team to achieve yourself,” he said.
It happened in partnership with the United States Tennis Association Midwest Chicago. The effort hoped to break down the common misconceptions about tennis while encouraging people to be active and connect with others.
“We just want to introduce tennis to everyone. It’s a great sport. We want to make it really accessible, and this is a free event to come out and give it a try,” said United States Tennis Association Midwest Chicago Executive Director Jill Siegel.
The event not only featured mini tennis games and other activities along with food, but also a trivia contest. Prizes were awarded to the top teams, and there was even a chance to win a trip to the Cincinnati Open tennis tournament.
Organizers say they hope events like this one will get people interested in the sport of tennis but also get neighbors to get involved in their communities.
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