AAYTE Tennis Stars Claim Singles, Doubles Titles at ATA National Tourney in Atlanta
PHILADELPHIA, PA, August 22, 2011 –Tauheed N. Browning, 8, of West Philadelphia, who has been playing tennis at Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education since he was five-and-a half years old, walked of with two titles, singles and doubles, in the 10-and-under competition at the American Tennis Association National Tournament this month in Atlanta, GA.
In singles, Browning defeated No. 1 seed Mikeal Carpenter, of Suitland, MD, 6-1, 6-2. Browning teamed with his cousin, Marcel Mordecai, 7, of West Philadelphia, who is also in the Future Stars program with Browning at Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education, to win the 10-and-under doubles competition, 6-2, 6-0, over Donovan Spigner, of New York, NY, and Coltrain Williams, of Atlanta. Mordecai also took fourth place in the 10-and-under singles competition.
Browning’s sister, Nadiyah, 13, of Wynnefield, who also is in the AAYTE Future Stars program, placed third for girls in the14-and-under competition. Nadiyah attends Episcopal Academy. Tauheed attends Global Leadership Academy Charter School in West Philadelphia; Mordecai attends Ad Prima Charter School in West Philadelphia. The Brownings’ father, Tauheed R. Browning, coaches all three young people at AAYTE.
“Young Tauheed was extremely focused and deliberate with his shots to win the singles competition,” said Lance Lee, AAYTE’s Director of Tennis, who accompanied the Philadelphia contingent to Atlanta. “He is an extremely talented and gifted player and should be on the radar screen of everyone in the tennis world in the years to come.”
About 22 young people from Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education flew to Atlanta to compete in the ATA National Tournament, as well as participate in the “Books for Africa” community service project. They also visited Ebenezer Baptist Church, Morehouse and Spellman Colleges and the CNN Center.
About American Tennis Association:
The American Tennis Association (ATA) (www.americantennisassociation.org), founded in 1916, is the oldest African American sports organization in the United States. The ATA was formed by a group of African American businessmen, college professors, and physicians who yearned for and enjoyed the camaraderie and competition that the sport of tennis offered.