Young Champions Conquered the Central Court of St. Petersburg
On November 29, three children's masterclasses with professional tennis players were held on the centre court of the KSK Arena in St. Petersburg. The mentors were: Dušan Lajović, Janko Tipsarević, Alexander Bublik, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Mikhail Youzhny, Karen Khachanov and Viktoria Tomova. Boys and girls aged 9 to 12 from different cities across Russia, including St. Petersburg, Moscow, Moscow region, Yekaterinburg, and others, took part in a training session and even played a small match.
Their favorite sport, a beautiful large arena where top tennis players from around the world compete, and usually they come with a poster to cheer for them. But here, they were on the same court as skilled mentors – an unforgettable celebration.
Before the event, the kids were given a behind-the-scenes tour of the arena, seeing how a tournament like this is organized from the inside.
A highlight of each masterclass was the performance by Maxim Kosolapov, a tennis virtuoso, who showed off some tricks with the racket and balls. He taught tennis tricks to both the kids and the athletes themselves. And just like in the adult team tennis tournament North Palmyra Trophies, there were two teams – "Lions" and "Sphinxes". Each team had its own caring and protective mascot.
At the end of each masterclass, the two teams, "Lions" and "Sphinxes," competed against each other. The first match was won by the "Lions" (23:11), and the second match also went to them (27:15). In the third match, Bulgarian Viktoriya Tomova led the "Sphinxes" to victory with a 12:17 score.
During the masterclass with Alexander Bublik and Thanasi Kokkinakis, there was an improvised competition created by the native of Gatchina. He came up with his own prize, where participants had to hit the ball with the edge of the racket and get it through the net into a bottle.
The kids tried very hard, and even the mascots helped with their large rackets, but only Elizaveta Vasenko from Moscow succeeded. Apparently, the support from her parents in the stands helped a lot. Alexander awarded Elizaveta a T-shirt with his autograph and praised all the masterclass participants for their efforts and dedication.
Memorable gifts, advice from tennis idols, bright photos — the kids had an amazing experience that day, and then they went to the stands to cheer for their mentors, who were now playing for their teams, "Lions" and "Sphinxes," in the battle for the North Palmyra Trophies.
Their favorite sport, a beautiful large arena where top tennis players from around the world compete, and usually they come with a poster to cheer for them. But here, they were on the same court as skilled mentors – an unforgettable celebration.
Before the event, the kids were given a behind-the-scenes tour of the arena, seeing how a tournament like this is organized from the inside.
A highlight of each masterclass was the performance by Maxim Kosolapov, a tennis virtuoso, who showed off some tricks with the racket and balls. He taught tennis tricks to both the kids and the athletes themselves. And just like in the adult team tennis tournament North Palmyra Trophies, there were two teams – "Lions" and "Sphinxes". Each team had its own caring and protective mascot.
At the end of each masterclass, the two teams, "Lions" and "Sphinxes," competed against each other. The first match was won by the "Lions" (23:11), and the second match also went to them (27:15). In the third match, Bulgarian Viktoriya Tomova led the "Sphinxes" to victory with a 12:17 score.
During the masterclass with Alexander Bublik and Thanasi Kokkinakis, there was an improvised competition created by the native of Gatchina. He came up with his own prize, where participants had to hit the ball with the edge of the racket and get it through the net into a bottle.
The kids tried very hard, and even the mascots helped with their large rackets, but only Elizaveta Vasenko from Moscow succeeded. Apparently, the support from her parents in the stands helped a lot. Alexander awarded Elizaveta a T-shirt with his autograph and praised all the masterclass participants for their efforts and dedication.
Memorable gifts, advice from tennis idols, bright photos — the kids had an amazing experience that day, and then they went to the stands to cheer for their mentors, who were now playing for their teams, "Lions" and "Sphinxes," in the battle for the North Palmyra Trophies.
