Israeli Tennis Star Dudi Sela Takes Part in New York Clinic

August 23, 2013 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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Photo credit: Adam Wolfthal

The Consulate General of Israel in New York, the Israel Tennis Centers Foundation and the New York Junior Tennis & Learning conducted a tennis clinic for New York children and teens. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, along with Israeli Tennis Star Dudi Sela joined the event to meet the kids, speak to them and conduct the clinic, which is an ongoing part of Israel’s community outreach here in New York and throughout the U.S. The clinic took place behind the Robert F. Wagner Middle School on East 75th Street, and was orchestrated by Dvorah Marsha, coach at the Israel Tennis Centers in Tel Aviv and Ramat Hasharon, Israel. The Israel Tennis Center delegation, represented by ITC, included Elad Gevandschnaider, who has recorded impressive wins at both the National Special Olympics Tournament and the European Championships in Warsaw, Poland. Elad is currently serving in the Israel Defense Forces, and recently received the IDF’s prestigious “Award of Excellence."

The clinic allowed the children a unique opportunity to be coached by Dudi Sela, Israel’s top ranked singles player.  Also known as “The Hebrew Hammer,” Dudi’s career has included impressive wins over Fernando Gonzalez, David Ferrer and Andy Roddick as he achieved a top 30 world ranking in 2009.

With the US Open around the corner, "we at the Consulate aim to bring Israelis and New Yorkers together," said Gil Lainer, Consul for Public Affairs at the Consulate General of Israel in New York. "We share a passion for tennis, a passion for sports. This partnership between our two great countries and the city of New York has been going on for years, and sports is just one of the outlets it manifests itself," Lainer added.  

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, who represents the district in Manhattan where the Clinic took place, cheered the kids on and wished Dudi Sela good luck in the US Open next week.

“The Israel Tennis Centers Foundation is thrilled to be working with the Consulate General of Israel in New York and the New York Junior Tennis & Learning on such a worthwhile project. Bringing kids together under the banner of tennis underscores what the ITC is all about … promoting cooperation and understanding among kids of all backgrounds. We look forward to being involved in this program for many years to come," said Jacqueline Goldstein, VP of global development for the Israel Tennis Centers.

Credit all photos to Adam Wolfthal

 

 

 


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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