New York Junior Tennis & Learning

With outdoor tennis in full swing across NYC—including at NYJTL’s Community Tennis Program sites—it’s a great time to enjoy the game and stay active. In a recent LIC Post article, NYJTL’s Jay Devashetty shares thoughtful advice for parents, coaches, and caregivers on how to create positive, supportive sports experiences. From encouraging effort over results to fostering a growth mindset, Jay’s insights help young players build confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love for the game. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eEBF2CeM

We love seeing our Scholar Athlete Program alumni recognized! New York Tennis Magazine recently profiled Jeremy Victoria, a Bronx native who first picked up a racquet at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning. Now competing for the Fordham University mens tennis team, Jeremy often practices on the very courts where his journey began. #NYJTL #ScholarAthleteProgram #CaryLeedsCenter #FordhamTennis #YouthDevelopment #TennisAndEducation Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ey3wGRCC

Congratulations to our President & CEO Udai Tambar for being named #78 on City & State New York’s 2025 Queens Power 100 list. This recognition reflects his leadership and NYJTL’s continued commitment to serving the youth and families of Queens through tennis, education, and community programming. Read the full list here: https://lnkd.in/e5nvUrxW

At NYJTL, we're committed to ensuring that tennis is accessible to every student in NYC, especially those who've never had the opportunity to play. Our School Time Tennis program equips teachers with the skills to coach tennis, providing them with training, equipment, and ongoing support to effectively introduce the sport in physical education classes. Zachary O., a physical education teacher in Queens, shared his experiences: "A lot of kids from our neighborhoods don’t know about tennis. This program allows us to introduce the sport and build new skills." Read more about our efforts in the The Queens Gazette: https://lnkd.in/ezwqsYb3

NYJTL is expanding its mental health initiatives to 30+ public schools, including 12 in Brooklyn, through the LEAPS (Learning and Enrichment After-School Program Supports) grant. Funded by New York State’s $100 million LEAPS initiative, this program strengthens emotional regulation and mental health first aid in our after-school programs, ensuring students have the tools to thrive. With nearly 15% of children diagnosed with a mental health condition and almost half of teens experiencing depression, these services are more crucial than ever. NYJTL’s head social worker, Emily Haghtalab, LMSW, leads a team dedicated to fostering healthy conflict resolution, emotional expression, and relationship building—vital for student success. "Sports is mental health—it develops teamwork, character, and connection," says Grace Bodenmann, NYJTL’s Chief Education Officer. Read more about this initiative in Brooklyn Paper Publications, Inc.:

Don’t miss our next virtual event TOMORROW, Thursday, March 13th at 1 PM, featuring keynote speaker Melanie Hartzog, President & CEO of The New York Foundling and NYJTL board member. The session will be moderated by fellow board member Zakiyyah Salim-Williams. 🔗 Register now to secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/eaRQAj8s

We’re so proud to see Chantajah Mills, an NYJTL Scholar Athlete Program alum making her mark! Her journey—overcoming challenges and continuing to excel at Texas State women’s tennis—is truly inspiring.

NYJTL is excited to host our next virtual Holding Court speaker series on Thursday, March 13th at 1 PM featuring Melanie Hartzog, NYJTL board member and President & CEO of The New York Foundling. The conversation will be moderated by fellow NYJTL board member Zakiyyah Salim-Williams. Don’t miss this inspiring discussion! Zoom details will be shared soon. 🔗 Register below! We look forward to seeing you there! #NYJTL #HoldingCourt #Leadership #TennisAndEducation #Inspiration

⁣ Devrin Vargas, an athlete from the New York Junior Tennis & Learning community, sat down with Darren Cahill for an insightful interview.⁣ ⁣ When asked, "How do you see the game of tennis evolving?" Darren shared some valuable insights.⁣ ⁣ Catch his full response and more in the complete interview—link in the comments! 👇🏽 #AndreAgassi #RogerFederer

Congratulations to Chantajah Mills, NYJTL Scholar Athlete alum, for receiving the USTA Foundation’s Frances Tiafoe Fund Scholarship. Watching her thrive with the Texas State University Women’s Tennis team has been inspiring. Thank you, Frances Tiafoe and the USTA Foundation for supporting youth like Chantajah! #NYJTL #USTAFoundation #FrancesTiafoe #Scholarship #TennisSuccess #InspiringYouth