“To be a very, very small part of the rebuilding process is very humbling for all of us.” “All of us really enjoyed our time here, and it's the absolute least we can do,” he told. “ It took me four years to tell them apart. Greer quizzed them on who was who, and the kids correctly identified the Bryan twins, something that used to elude Isner. The boys and girls who play at Sunnyside Park in Houston will soon have resurfaced tennis courts. “Whoever's coaching them is doing a good job.” “ They were way better than I thought they were going to be,” Tiafoe said. The boys and girls were using topspin, taking the ball early – “He SABRs every ball,” Bob Bryan said – and volleying back and forth with the ATP players. “Oh, that's too good,” Tiafoe said as one ball trickled over the net. He was surprised, however, by one part of the trip: the kids' skill levels. Because I was given so much, I was very fortunate, very lucky.” “ I do my best every day to try to become someone to be able to give back. “It reminds me of where I started, very humble beginnings,” Tiafoe said. The visit was especially meaningful to the 20-year-old American, who grew up playing in public parks and visited similar grassroots programs with Martin when she worked in Maryland. “Terrible things happen everywhere, and it's always good to give back, and that's what sports are about, togetherness. The ATP World Tour pros donated $19,500 that will be used to resurface Sunnyside's two courts.
Houston, however, has come back from the natural disaster, and soon the courts will as well. The tennis courts at Sunnyside Park, like much of Houston, were hit badly by Hurricane Harvey. It was a very, very difficult time for everybody.” “A lot of kids go through here each week and to have this place taken out, with their homes and their schools, it was just a triple whammy. “ This neighborhood was hit very hard,” said Ellen Martin, with the Houston Tennis Association National Junior & Tennis Learning program. The park, along with its adjacent community center, was flooded, like much of Houston last year, and the standing water ruined the courts, leaving cracks behind and turning the courts shades of brown and green.
The Bryans, Isner, Tiafoe, Querrey and Steve Johnson visited Sunnyside Park in central Houston and hit around with about 40 possible future ATP World Tour stars, many of whom use the courts regularly. The players worked with Greer to donate money, and this week, they saw the courts – and the lives – that their generosity will affect. It was very touching and inspires a lot, I think, in both the community and us as a tournament, to want to make sure we're giving back in the best way that we possibly can.” “ You wouldn't think that from guys who play all over the world. My Point: Isner Inspired By Mom's Courage
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