Serve’s Up!

Beach Tennis USA (BTUSA) will host its premiere pro event of the 2013 season when it returns to Long Beach Aug. 15-18.

Dozens of players from Nassau County will take on the best competitors from the U.S., Brazil, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Italy, France, Aruba, Russia and other nations during the ITF Long Beach New York Open. Players will compete for the coveted ITF ranking points and prize money. 

Over 100 competitors will converge on Long Beach for one of the biggest events in the city this summer.

“Long Beach has been the national home for our sport since we brought it to the USA in 2005,” said Marc Altheim, CEO and founder of BTUSA.

President Jim Lorenzo, a Long Beach native, added “it’s a really exciting opportunity to have a role in bringing internationally-relevant events back to an area that was devastated by Sandy. I think this year’s tournament will be one of our most exciting and competitive to date.”

Altheim and Lorenzo said they are proud of how much the sport has resonated locally; Matt Garavaglia and Nadia Johnston, the top American male and female players, both call the Long Island area home. Additionally, five other local residents claim spots among the top 24 American men.

Beach Tennis is a growing sport around the world. The International Tennis Federation — www.itftennis.com — expects to oversee over 90 tournaments this year over six continents. There have already been eight successful BTUSA tournaments this year around the country, from New York to Florida to California.

In addition to the pro competition that will take place BTUSA is hosting advanced and amateur levels of play.  Newcomers are also welcome to try the sport for a nominal fee. For full event details and schedule, visit beachtennisusa.net.