Grandmont Rosedale resident Razi Jafri realized at a young age that tennis is “an elegant sport, beautiful to watch and to play with a particular decorum and a culture of politeness.” It is also a fiercely competitive sport that demands focus and athleticism. Razi grew up playing tennis, has competed in tournaments and continues to follow the rising starts in the tennis world, and he wants to share his passion for the game with Grandmont Rosedale. Last year was the first year of the Grandmont Rosedale Tennis Academy, (GRTA), and Razi is certain this year will draw even more kids and adults to the Stoepel Park tennis courts who are interested in learning how to play, and, if they already play, to improve their game.

The GRTA invites anyone age 4 – adult to register for this summer’s 16 week session. The session runs from Wednesday, May 13 – Wednesday, August 26. The sessions are one hour from 6:30 – 7:30pm and are held at the tennis courts at Stoepel Park. There is a $25 registration fee which covers the cost of the sessions, rackets, and balls. Participants must wear tennis shoes. The GRTA has the support of the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) which supplies the rackets, balls, and nets.  Razi’s wish list for this year’s Tennis Academy is more participants and more volunteers to help with tennis instruction, the setting up and breaking down of the equipment, and, not surprisingly, to help pick up tennis balls. If you would like to volunteer or have further questions, contact Razi Jafri at 734-306-8589 or razijafri@gmail.com. Registration forms are available at mygrandmontrosedale.org.

As the USTA is looking to develop tennis in inner cities where the association believes it will find talented players, the Grandmont Rosedale Tennis Academy at Stoepel Park is a perfect resource. On Razi’s larger wish list is court resurfacing, a hitting wall, ball machines, and a tennis league along the lines of the Rosedale Grandmont Little League. “I want our tennis courts to look like the baseball fields on a Saturday when the Rosedale Grandmont Little League teams play,” says Razi. “The improvements GRDC has made to the baseball fields in impressive. I’d like the GRTA to become a permanent part of the range of activities at Stoepel Park.” While he loves tennis and believes in its ability to create great athletes, Razi also sees tennis as “something I can give back to the community. It could be another one of the amenities of the Grandmont Rosedale community.”

Razi Jafri: