What began as an idea nearly seven months ago became a reality this past weekend as First Racquet and Rosedale Recreational Council successfully hosted three tennis events over two days—the largest and most ambitious weekend in the organization’s history.
The centerpiece of the weekend was the inaugural USTA Level 7 Junior Tournament, held alongside a UTR tournament and a sold-out Adult Social Doubles event. Together, the three events welcomed players of all ages while bringing together the local tennis community in support of a meaningful cause.
Nearly 40 junior players traveled from throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia to compete in the USTA tournament. Boys’ and Girls’ 12-and-Under divisions competed on Saturday, followed by the 16-and-Under divisions on Sunday.
Although the tournaments lasted only two days, the preparation began back in January.
The first step was securing permits for the courts through Baltimore County. From there came months of planning, scheduling, and the challenge of becoming a certified USTA Tournament Director—a requirement for hosting sanctioned USTA events. As registration opened, another challenge emerged: managing player selections, late entries, and last-minute withdrawals while ensuring fair draws and efficient court scheduling.
Hosting one tournament is demanding.
Hosting three simultaneously required months of preparation.
Each event had its own draw, match schedule, and court assignments. While the Adult Social Doubles event filled quickly and remained relatively stable, the junior tournament required continual adjustments as entries and withdrawals changed right up to the start of competition. Careful planning and constant communication ensured every match was scheduled efficiently, courts were fully utilized, and all three tournaments finished on time.
This remarkable accomplishment was made possible through the partnership between First Racquet and Rosedale Recreational Council, along with the dedication of volunteers, officials, parents, and supporters who worked tirelessly behind the scenes throughout the weekend.
A special thank you goes to Catherine Xu, Lead Advisor of First Racquet, who traveled from Washington, D.C., to spend the weekend helping operate the events. Despite her demanding professional schedule, Catherine returned to support the organization she helped found, working alongside volunteers to ensure every tournament ran smoothly.
While the tennis on court was exciting, the weekend’s impact extended well beyond competition.
Last year, a group of tennis players in the Washington, D.C, area launched a fundraising effort to help Chinese wheelchair tennis player Zhu Zhenzhen purchase a replacement sports wheelchair after her existing chair reached the end of its competitive life. First Racquet joined the effort and made a significant contribution to support the campaign. Although generous donations substantially reduced the cost, additional funding was still needed before the purchase could be completed. Proceeds from this weekend’s events have now helped bridge that remaining gap.
Even more meaningful, First Racquet recently connected directly with Zhu Zhenzhen and learned that, thanks to the continued support of the tennis community, she is now able to move forward with ordering her replacement wheelchair. It is a powerful reminder that a local tennis tournament in Baltimore can have a global impact.
“This weekend represents everything First Racquet stands for,” said the organizing team. “It brought together juniors, adults, volunteers, families, and community partners through the sport we love, while also making a meaningful difference in the life of an elite wheelchair athlete. We couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who helped make this weekend such a success.”
As First Racquet continues to grow, this landmark weekend demonstrates what is possible when nonprofit organizations, community partners, volunteers, and passionate tennis players work together toward a shared mission.
A special thanks to our sponsor—First Racquet extends its sincere appreciation to Ackerman Heating & Air Conditioning and McInnes Palmer Orthodontics for their generous support of our charity tournament. We are grateful for their contributions and their commitment to helping us make tennis more accessible to the community.
Lastly, First Racquet also extends its sincere appreciation to Rosedale Recreational Council, all tournament officials, volunteers, parents, and every player who participated. Your support made this unforgettable weekend possible—and helped make a difference far beyond the tennis court.
