Tennis opportunities abound in summer

By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer

Dennis Lajola, a Highlands Intermediate eighth-grader, won the doubles title and reached the singles semifinals at the Easter Bowl in Palm Springs, Calif., last week. Barbara Frongello • Special to The Advertiser

Free and low-cost lessons for kids, adults and seniors litter the calendar the next few months. There are major tournaments every month. Clinics, carnivals and classic coaches are making appearances. Leagues are starting up and junior teams are peaking for championships.

Hawai'i even has a new tennis role model in 'Aiea's Dennis Lajola, who is rising to the top of the national rankings and taking off for the Czech Republic this summer. Read more about him below.

For a look at all the options, see the schedule on the right. To help you make a more informed decision, a few are featured below along with other tennis news.

Rising star

Dennis Lajola, a Highlands Intermediate eighth-grader, has been invited to play on the Junior Davis Cup team in August in the Czech Republic. He will travel to Key Biscayne, Fla., next month for training with the junior national team. The team is made up of three boys and three girls born in 1989 or later.

Lajola, who will go to Iolani in the fall, gained attention by winning the back draw of the U.S. Tennis Association Super National Winter Championships in December. The USTA invited him to join the Boys 14's National High Performance Team in January and he played in two European Junior events, reaching the final at the Teen Tennis Championships in England.

Lajola was invited to Junior Davis Cup before he won the doubles title at the Easter Bowl — another Super National Championship — earlier this month. He also reached the semifinals in singles.

What's it like to be back in Hawai'i after facing some of the best juniors in the world?

"It's not really hard," Lajola says. "You put the same mentality in. You have to win that match, it doesn't matter who you play. It's always the same intensity."

Dennis' brother Derrick, an Iolani senior, will play for the University of Hawai'i in the fall, as will Moanalua senior Jamie Migia.

Tennis 24/7: The Tennis Channel, a 24-hour cable network devoted to tennis and other racquet sports, starts with a 19-day "Sneak Preview" tomorrow, but not on Hawai'i's largest cable television provider.

Oceanic Time-Warner will not offer the channel on the "Sneak Preview" or when it officially launches May 15, but a spokesperson says it hopes to add it before the end of the year.

Wheelchair class resumes: The Tuesday night series of Wheelchair Tennis classes resumes next week at Ala Moana Park.

Players 18-older, of all levels, are welcome. Classes cover basic strokes. Players are separated by division. Balls and racquets are provided. A sport chair is not required.

Rock & Rally: The USTA will kick off U.S. Open ticket sales and USA Tennis Month with the national Rock & Rally celebration Monday at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Pros Andy Roddick, James Blake and Alexandra Stevenson, TV personality Daisy Fuentes and rock group The Smithereens will be featured at the free tennis and music festival.

Since Roddick and Blake have become so busy since winning the Hilton Waikoloa Village Challenger in 2001 and 2002, Hawai'i will have a much more low-key Rock & Rally festival. Local pros and coaches will oversee the local "tennis carnival" the afternoon of May 18 at the new Central O'ahu Regional Park.

The 2003 U.S. Open will be Aug. 25 to Sept. 7. Tickets can be purchased at usopen.org, by calling 1-866-OPEN-TIX, and at Ticketmaster locations nationwide, starting Monday.

League tennis: The USTA/Hawai'i Pacific Section is offering a special promotion for players who have not participated in any USA League two or more years. It is waiving the player fee to the first 100 players who register for the 2003 Adult League or Ekolu League.

Back in court: The local section of the USTA and AARP are sponsoring "Welcome Back to Tennis" for players 50-older. The free "tennis party" is May 10, from 5-8 p.m., at Ala Moana.

It is one of five being held across the country. AARP sent 8,000 invitations to its members here. There is space for 150 players.

The evening is for players who have been away from the game. There will be drills, clinics, prizes and food and drink catered by Sam Choy's. Players will also be able to register for USTA follow-up programs such as USA 1-2-3, Senior or Super Senior and Kilauea and Makiki leagues, and K2tens Night Doubles.

To register, call AARP toll-free at (866) 887-2277.

1-2-3 sign-ups start: Registration forms are being accepted for the Summer USA Tennis 1-2-3 Lesson program. Classes are for kids 6 and older and adults, at beginner and intermediate levels. Racquets and balls are provided. Cost for six 1-hour lessons is $24.

The first summer session runs June 2-July 11. May 19 is registration deadline. Second session is July 21-Aug. 29.

For details or a list of lesson sites on O'ahu, see hawaii.usta.com or call 955-6696.

April

• 29-July 15—Wheelchair Tennis, Tuesdays at Ala Moana Park, 6-8 p.m. Balls and racquets provided. Information: 955-6696, ext. 26.

May

• 2—USA Tennis Month free introductory group lessons designed for beginners or returning players, ages 6 to 99, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Kilauea District Park. Register: 955-6696, ext. 25.
• 3—USTA League Tennis starts. Individuals can register at 955-6696, ext. 24. USTA/Hawai'i Pacific Section is offering a special promotion through today for players who have not participated in any USA League two or more years, waiving the player fee to the first 100 players who register for the 2003 Adult League or Ekolu League.
• 3—USA Tennis Month free introductory group lessons designed for beginners or returning players, ages 6 to 99, 9-10 a.m. and 10-11 a.m. at Makiki District Park. Register: 955-6696, ext. 25.
• 4—USA Tennis Month free introductory group lessons designed for beginners or returning players, ages of 6 to 99, 2-3 p.m. and 3-4 p.m. at Pearlridge Community Park. Register: 955-6696, ext. 25.
• 8-10—Carlsmith Ball State High School Championships at Central O'ahu Regional Park.
• 10—USTA/HPS and AARP "Welcome Back to Tennis" (50-older), 5-8 p.m. at Ala Moana. Registration: 866-887-2277 (AARP toll-free). Information: 955-6696, ext. 26.
• 10—USA Tennis Month free introductory group lessons designed for beginners or returning players, ages of 6 to 99, 11 a.m.- noon and noon-1 p.m. at 'Ewa Beach Community Park. Register: 955-6696, ext. 25.
• 17-18—USA Team Tennis Spring Sectionals at Central O'ahu Regional Park.
• 17-18—USA League Mixed Doubles Sectionals at Kiahuna and Po'ipu Kai on Kaua'i.
• 18—Rock & Rally, 1-5 p.m. at Central Oahu Regional Park. Free Tennis Carnival for youths and adults.
• 18—USA Tennis Month free introductory group lessons for beginners or returning players, ages 6 to 99, 3-4 p.m. and 4-5 p.m. at Central O'ahu Regional Park. Register: 955-6696, ext. 25.
• 24-25—Coaches Workshop witih Vic Braden at Turtle Bay. Fee is $175. Registration: 955-6696, ext. 26.

June

• 2-July 11—Summer 1-2-3, first session. Six 1-hour lessons for $24, designed for beginners, at more than 20 O'ahu sites. Racquets and balls provided. Information: 955-6696 or hawaii.usta.com.
• 9-15—Hawai'i's John Greer and Beth Arnoult at 2003 Invacare World Team Cup in Sopot, Poland.
• 11-15—Junior Sectionals at Central O'ahu Regional Park.
• 20-22—Hawai'i Sectionals at Diamond Head Tennis Center.

July

• 20-August 2—Kailua Racquet Club Men's Night Doubles.
• 21-Aug. 29—Summer 1-2-3, second session. Six 1-hour lessons for $24, designed for beginners, at more than 20 O'ahu sites. Racquets and balls provided. Information: 955-6696 or hawaii.usta.com.

August

• 8-10—Jane Forester-Leong Hawai'i Jr. Vet/Sr. Sectionals at Diamond Head.
• 15-18—USTA League Tennis Championships at Kapalua, Maui.