Can first lady Michelle Obama revive the crash of American men’s tennis with her “Let’s Move!’’ campaign?
Obama appeared at Arthur Ashe Kids Day yesterday, on stage with the young American tennis hopefuls, and was introduced to the crowd by reigning U.S. Open champion Serena Williams.
Obama gave a five-minute speech with American prospects Jack Sock, Sloane Stephens, Ryan Harrison, Christina McHale, Madison Keys, Donald Young, Melanie Oudin and Denis Kudla standing alongside her at Ashe Stadium.
She announced the new initiative between her program and the USTA that will include 5,000 new kid-sized tennis courts, training 15,000 new coaches/teachers and engage 300,000 youth in after-school, summer programs and donating tennis equipment to schools. She hugged all of the American players upon departing.
Obama said she’s not very good at tennis because it wasn’t available to her growing up. The American men’s tennis scene, meanwhile, has hit a new low, and this likely will be the second straight year no man advances to a Grand Slam quarterfinal.
One drawback to her appearance was the Secret Service shut down several entrances to the stadium, during her appearance, making it very difficult to get to lower-bowl seating.
* Heavy favorite Serena Williams admitted the irony in that she’s playing more tournaments now than when she was young.
Williams would be the oldest women’s player to win an Open. She’ll turn 32 next month.
“I feel completely recharged,’’ she said. “To play more matches now later in my career than earlier, it’s interesting how good I feel.’’ Earlier this week, Serena said she felt 23.
* Top seed Novak Djokovic gave a speech to the United Nations to proclaim April 6 the International Day of Sport. “It was quite incredible,’’ Djokovic said. … No. 13 John Isner on breaking the 10-year American Slam title drought: “It has been a long time but I know and Andy [Roddick] knows how deep and tough the game is.’’