Frick Park Clay Open Begins Today

More than 100 young tennis enthusiasts, including 15 young players from Madrid, Spain, will compete in Citiparks third annual Frick Park Red Clay Junior Open, which kicks off today at the Frick Park Red Clay Tennis Courts in Regent Square.

The 2011 competition, taking place through this Saturday, is the only junior tournament held on red clay in western Pennsylvania. This USTA-sanctioned event features singles and doubles competition for boys and girls ages 16 and younger.

“The tennis programs and tournaments that the City offers to young residents are a great way to promote fun physical fitness while teaching Pittsburgh’s youth new skills,” said Mayor Luke Ravenstahl in a news release. “I’m excited to see such enthusiasm for this tournament, and I hope to continue to see registration grow at such an impressive pace.”

According to , coordinator of Citiparks Tennis Programs, more than 100 athletes will compete in 2011 – a significant increase over the 55 participants in 2010 and the 45 participants in the inaugural year of 2009.

“This year’s field of athletes will include 15 young players from Madrid, Spain, who visited us last year for a day and are now coming to Pittsburgh this week to play this tournament at Frick Park,” Mieres said in a news release.  “During the summer, they are based at a tennis camp in West Virginia.”

Last year the Frick Park Red Clay Courts were named one of the 12 GREATEST PLACES TO PLAY ON RED CLAY by Active.com.

Mieres, who is also the co-founder and president of the Frick Park Clay Court Tennis Club, added, “There’s truly something special about these courts, and we’re encouraging tennis enthusiast of all ages to experience the Frick Park Red Clay Courts this summer.” 

For more information, visit www.Citiparks.net and www.ClayFrickTennis.org or call 412-244-4188.