For the LOVE of Tennis!

Tennis begins with LOVE, and this Valentine’s Day, we celebrated that love on the courts at our winter session of High School Tennis Takeover, at the Barnes Tennis Center. The event wasn’t about rankings. It wasn’t about varsity spots, league standings, or who won the most points. It was about connection.

More than 70 high school students from across San Diego came together for an evening designed not to showcase competition, but rather to celebrate the powerful ways tennis brings people together.

For many teens, tennis can feel like an individual journey—matches are often quiet, focused, and intense. But this night was different. Laughter echoed across the courts. Players who had never met became doubles partners. Teammates from rival schools cheered each other on! What began as a shared love of tennis quickly grew into something even more meaningful - genuine friendships and a true sense of community.

Our instructors worked on the courts providing a variety of tennis drills, games, and open play opportunities. With love as the theme of the night, Valentine-inspired prizes added to the excitement. From target challenges to best-of-three contests, players enjoyed their moment to shine—earning sweet treats along the way!

One of the most impactful moments took place on our adaptive court, made possible through the generous support of Vesco Wheelchairs. Teens had the opportunity to experience wheelchair tennis, guided by Vesco and one of our teen adaptive athletes, Fernando G.

As the teens learned how to move, balance, and hit from the chair, their perspective shifted. What began as curiosity quickly became admiration and respect.

Navigating the court while maneuvering a chair gave participants a deeper appreciation for the strength, skill, and determination of adaptive athletes. It is in these moments that barriers disappear and a stronger, more inclusive community is built. Players aren't defined by their ability, their school, or their level of play. They are simply teens sharing an experience and encouraging each other, on and off the courts.

Pickleball also brought teens together in new ways. With more than 25 pickleball courts available at Barnes, we welcomed the growing interest to the sport. Players eagerly stepped onto the smaller courts to try something different, and the fast-paced, social nature of pickleball created even more opportunities for conversation, teamwork, and fun.

By the end of the night, phone numbers had been exchanged. Plans had been made to hit together again and new friendships had formed—friendships that may never have existed otherwise!

Tennis was the reason they came. Connection was the reason it mattered.

Events like this remind us that sport is about more than competition. It is about community. It is about belonging. It is about creating moments where young people feel seen, supported, and inspired.

This is the heart of the High School Tennis Takeover. Because sometimes, the most important thing you win on the court isn’t a match, it’s a friend.

Thank you to all of our supporters of the HS Tennis Takeover events! We truly appreciate the high school coaches who invited their players to join the fun, and we are especially grateful for our AMAZING instructors and volunteers, who continue to create spaces where teens feel welcome.

Our goal for these events is simple—to create a community where every player, no matter their ranking, school, or experience, feels like they belong. And thanks to all of you, we did just that! 💛 Together, we celebrated not just the players, but the love of tennis that brings us all to the court.

Our next event is set for April—more details coming soon!

Link for future HS Takeover events: https://airtable.com/appDmJJDcSDpMgNLJ/shrZmv9E7yybEO0ze

Link to Vesco Wheelchair: https://vescometalcraft.com/

💛 We Can’t Do This Without You

Every day, YTSD brings tennis, mentorship, and educational support to children who need it most, at no cost to their families. These programs aren’t just about sport. They’re about building confidence, character, and opportunity. But none of it is possible without the generosity of supporters like you.

🌟 Ways to Give and Make an Immediate Impact

• Site Sponsor – $10,000

  • Fully fund a YTSD program site for an entire year, impacting dozens of youth with consistent instruction, equipment, and academic support.

• Session Sponsor – $5,000

  • Sponsor a 10–12 week season of tennis and life skills training for 20 children in an under-resourced community.

• Scholarship Sponsor – $1,000

  • Give one child a full year of tennis coaching, tutoring, and equipment, opening doors to lasting transformation.

• General Sponsor – $1–$999

  • Every gift counts. Your donation helps provide the gear, books, and resources that make our mission real for every student.

    
    

🎾 Your Support Changes Lives

When you give, you’re not just donating, you’re investing in healthier kids, stronger communities, and brighter futures.

👉 Donate Now and help us continue serving the youth who need us most. Your support will be proudly recognized at our facility and on our website!