Rooted in history, Trenton tennis tournament makes a comeback

TRENTON — Next Monday, July 25, a marquee event is returning to New Jersey's capital city for the first time in 41 years, as the National Junior Tennis & Learning Association of Trenton will bring back the Trenton City Tennis Tournament.

Robert Howland, NJTL of Trenton executive director, said the competition — last held in 1975, the same year his organization was formed -- furthers the group's mission of creating "opportunities for success, by enriching the lives of under-resourced youth through innovative tennis education and mentoring programs."

The event puts some historic Trenton locales, and NJTL itself, back in the spotlight.

"We're very excited to bring the tournament back, because there's a rich tennis history in Trenton, and in particular at the Cadwalader Park tennis facility," Howland said.

He added that Cadwalader was "the place to play" both exhibitions and competitive tournaments in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Some of the legendary names who appeared there in those years included Herb Fitzgibbon, Althea Gibson, and the national founder of NJTL, Arthur Ashe.

NJTL has a hand in many events sanctioned by the United States Tennis Association, but the Trenton chapter felt a need to hold a special competition this year for city residents as well as children in their program.

"Tennis is our hook, but our goal is to develop the whole child, and I think we have a lot to offer and I hope that a lot of people can get involved," Howland said.

The Trenton City Tournament is a free event, excepting that every participant must provide a can of tennis balls. Any current or former NJTL enrollee or staff member, anyone who is a resident of Trenton now or in the last 20 years, and any past participant in the tournament is eligible to play.

Matches begin the evening of July 25 and continue through Aug. 6. For more information, visit njtloftrenton.com/tournaments or call (609) 341-1698.

Patrick Lavery anchors and produces newscasts across all dayparts for New Jersey 101.5. Follow him on Twitter @plavery1015 or email patrick.lavery@townsquaremedia.com.

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