Sports
Greenbelt Tennis Association Ends Fall Season, Accepts New Members
The Greenbelt Tennis Association is always open to new members.
The Greenbelt Tennis Association, which is part of World TeamTennis (WTT), is finishing its fall activities this October. Halloween's arrival however, will not signify the end of the season for some local athletes.
Although a new season does not officially begin again until springtime, according to active member and tournament helper Richard Majewski, "there are players that play Monday, Wednesday, Friday around noon at the Braden Field courts, also Sundays around 10."
"It's a group of mostly retired people," he said.
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Officially, the Greenbelt league offers three seasons of play, available to anyone 18 or over. This includes the following the fall season in September and October, the spring season in May and June, and the summer season in July and August.
Typically, the Greenbelt Tennis Association members participate in six tournaments and two socials during this time, Majewski said. Socials tend to be scheduled for December, January, and February.
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"Anyone who wants to can join," said Richard Gottlieb, WTT League Director since 1992 and active tennis player. "Leagues are forming all the time."
In fact, the Greenbelt Tennis Association is one of over 500,000 active teams of the WTT around the country. The WTT was founded by the company's president, Billy Jean King, in 1985. According to Gottlieb, there are leagues running year-round, with both indoor and outdoor seasons available to interested athletes.
There also various levels available depending on skill: a 3.0 level, 3.5, 4.0, and 4.5. Teams are capped at ten players, and are co-ed with a minimum of two men and two women on each team. According to Gottlieb, most teams consist of three men and three women.
"Winners have the opportunity to advance to one of six national qualifiers as well," said Gottlieb. "The winner of the national qualifiers has the opportunity to play in the national championship."
National games are played everywhere from Raleigh to Missouri to California.
"Every game counts," said Gottlieb.
For more information regarding upcoming activities, visit the association's official site.
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