After weather delayed the tennis clinic Rivers Humber put together for Saturday morning at Nosef Park in Clarksdale, the event took place Sunday afternoon and approximately 30 individuals participated.
There was no cost to participate and Humber said there were slightly more children than adults. Some athletes came with experience, while others were beginners. Humber, along with tennis player Stephanie Oliver, taught techniques on the regular and kids courts and games were played, including where people had an opportunity to hit the “big blowup man.”
Items such as water, sweatbands and t-shirts were given away.
“The main thing is you’ve got to practice, but getting the grip is really your first thing and learning how to move to the ball,” Humber said.
Humber said tennis was a good sport for any age.
The Rev. James Jackson Sr., also the Clarksdale High School tennis coach, helped out with the activities after arriving.
“I think it went well. The thing I’m excited about is just supporting tennis,” Jackson said. “Maybe tennis will grow in the Delta. It’s a good thing. I think the person organizing this (Humber) is real good.”
Jonathan Flowers, 7, plays baseball, soccer and tennis, attends Presbyterian Day School and plans to be on the tennis team when he attends high school at Lee Academy. He enjoyed the clinic Sunday.
“It’s fun to come play with other people,” Flowers said.
Humber is left-handed, but said, for the most part, being left or right-handed does not make a difference in tennis. However, it can have an impact when opponents do not know she is a lefty.
“Sometimes, it can be an advantage because the other team doesn’t realize you’re left-handed,” she said. “A lot of times one of the strategies is to hit it to the weaker side. For most people, that’s going to be their backhand and so they’re playing lefty and they don’t realize they’re playing lefty, they’re hitting it to their forehand.”
Humber and Jackson plan to build on the clinic and work together.
Humber said she will be taking contact information of those who were present and see who is interested in doing follow-up programs. She will be teaching a tennis apprentice class, which is a six-week beginner program for adults.
Jackson said having events such as the one Sunday are beneficial.
“As a coach, it helps because, if I can get them started young and early, we can not only go to state, but we can win state a few years,” he said.
He looks forward to working with Humber in the future.
“It will be a win-win,” Jackson said. “We’re definitely going to get together and have a partnership.”
