Evert Helps Kids from Harlem Program

Sports

Chris Evert is lending her support to the next generation of tennis stars. Evert was in New York on Thursday for national tennis month. She gave a lesson on top of the Empire State Building to kids from the Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program.

The U.S. Tennis Association has a center at the Evert Academy to groom elite juniors in Boca Raton, Fla. The center provides free training for boys and girls ages 12 to 18.

It’s part of an effort by the USTA to put a greater focus on top juniors and young pros.

Evert says promising newcomers include Christina McHale of Englewood Cliffs, N.J., and Melanie Oudin of Marietta, Ga.

McHale recently earned a berth into the French Open. Oudin reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open last fall.

AP