Tennis Champions, Brooklyn VIPs celebrate the Kings County Tennis League at the Heights Casino
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — On March 7, 150 tennis lovers of all ages and skill levels — from 5-year-olds to a Grand Slam champion — converged upon the venerable Heights Casino on Montague Street to celebrate the Kings County Tennis League (KCTL) and its honorees, board member Nadine Kim and 17-year-old KCTL student Damian Headley, who was presented with the Gabriel Rissman Award for Sportsmanship, Dedication and Spirit.
A fast-flowing, icy silver East River was viewable from the beautiful 1904 building as guests came in out of the chill. Among the VIPs in attendance were three-time Olympian and seven-time Grand Slam champion Liezel Huber, former pro tennis players Christina McHale and Anna Tatishvili, DJ Stretch Armstrong and two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash.
“The KCTL family has been a big part of my family and my experience growing up,” Headley, who has played tennis through the KCTL for eight years, told the crowd after accepting his award. “Since I was a little kid I was always dreaming of becoming that good tennis player. KCTL helped me to become who I am today. I hope to attend college to pursue tennis, but also singing because … I sing as well.”