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Some of platform tennis brightest young athletes are coming to Fairfield County this month. More than 160 players will compete in the 46th Annual American Platform Tennis Association Junior National Championships at clubs in New Canaan, Darien, Greenwich, Stamford and Wilton on Saturday, Jan. 29. The tournament finals will be held at Waveny Park in New Canaan. Players from as far as Chicago and Pittsburgh will participate. The tournament is sponsored by ONS, Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery Specialists of Greenwich.
"This is the second time our area has been selected to host the national championship," said tournament director Steve Caccam. "We are fortunate to have a number of clubs so close to one another, making it possible to coordinate a tournament of this size. It's a great way to stay active in the winter months."
For those unfamiliar with the sport, platform tennis, or paddle tennis, is a variation played outside in the cold of winter. The playing surface is a raised platform one-quarter the size of a standard tennis court. The court is surrounded by 12-foot-high, tightly strung, heavy-gauge wire screens that let players keep the ball in play after it bounces off the court. The racquet and ball are slightly different from traditional tennis as well to accommodate how the cold affects the flight of the ball.
Players will be grouped by age and gender: 10 and under, 12 and under, 14 and under and 18 and under. Sign-ups are still open. Contact Mr. Caccam for more information.
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