Gina's Tennis World Opens Third Court in Berkeley Heights on Sept. 12

Forty-three years after founding Gina's Tennis World, Gina Genovese is adding a third court to her Berkeley Heights club and marking the moment with a free public celebration on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 649 Springfield Avenue. The grand opening celebrates both the facility expansion and the long-standing business's commitment to tennis instruction and community engagement.

Union County Life covers Berkeley Heights businesses, community events, and local achievement across all 21 Union County municipalities.

Grand Opening Celebration Details

The event opens with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. with Mayor Angie Devanney, providing municipal recognition of the business milestone and facility expansion.

From 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., guests can try HEAD demo rackets against a ball machine and test their aim by hitting targets for prizes. The interactive activities make the celebration family-friendly and provide community members with opportunities to experience the sport.

Throughout the afternoon, life-sized cutouts of tennis icons—Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic—will be on hand for photos. A raffle gives one winner the chance to take a cutout home, adding entertainment and engagement to the celebration.

Business History and Achievement

Genovese founded the club in 1983 after coming off the women's professional tour, bringing elite tennis experience to community instruction. Over more than four decades, she has taught players ages 5 to 80 at every skill level, creating programming accessible across age groups and experience ranges.

The facility's track record demonstrates its effectiveness in developing competitive players: in one year, the club attracted 12 boys ranked No. 1 on their high school teams. This competitive success reflects the quality of instruction and training environment.

Coaches Wendy and Phil have worked alongside Genovese for more than two decades, providing consistent coaching presence and contributing to the stable learning environment valued by students and families.

Genovese's Perspective

"After being in business for 43 years in Berkeley Heights, I am so excited to have the opportunity to have more kids and adults learning to love the game of tennis," Genovese said. "I still enjoy teaching even more than I did in 1983."

The statement reflects sustained passion for tennis instruction and commitment to expanding access to the sport through facility growth and community programs.

Genovese also noted that a new sign on Springfield Avenue will increase awareness of the club, addressing visibility as part of the expansion strategy.

Community Testimony and Program Impact

Julia Jarvis, who has been a student and player at the club for 22 years, described it as "community-focused, where everyone feels like family" and called it "a safe place to learn."

Twenty-two years of continuous engagement with the facility demonstrates long-term community trust and relationship-building that extends across decades of instruction.

Former player Tanvi Silvester, now in college, spoke to the environment's impact on student development. "Starting a new sport can be intimidating at any age, and the environment you learn in plays a huge role in how much you end up loving the game," Silvester said.

Silvester's perspective highlights how teaching environment—instructor approach, peer community, facility culture—shapes student experience and long-term commitment to sport.

Community-Focused Business Model

Gina's Tennis World represents a community-focused business model: a single proprietor with deep expertise, multi-decade coaching relationships, and emphasis on creating safe, welcoming learning environment across age groups and skill levels.

The expansion to a third court reflects growing demand for programming and the business's ability to generate community support and revenue sufficient for facility investment.

Facility Expansion and Local Economic Investment

The addition of a third court represents capital investment in local infrastructure and signals business confidence in continued community demand for tennis instruction and programming.

For Berkeley Heights, the business expansion contributes to the local economy and provides community members with expanded recreational and athletic development opportunities.

Event Details and Public Participation

The grand opening is free and open to the public, removing barrier to participation and inviting community members to celebrate the business milestone and explore the facility. More information is available at www.ginastennisworld.com.

The free event reflects the business's community-focused mission and creates opportunity for broader public engagement with the facility and programming.

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Photo Credit / Screenshot: Gina's Tennis World YouTube

FAQ

Q: When is Gina's Tennis World grand opening?
A: Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 649 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights.

Q: What is the grand opening celebrating?
A: The addition of a third court and Gina's Tennis World's 43-year milestone serving the community.

Q: Will there be a ribbon-cutting ceremony?
A: Yes, at 11 a.m. with Mayor Angie Devanney.

Q: What activities are available?
A: Demo rackets against a ball machine (11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.), target games for prizes, and photos with life-sized tennis celebrity cutouts.

Q: Who founded Gina's Tennis World?
A: Gina Genovese, a former women's professional tour player, founded the club in 1983.

Q: What age groups does the club teach?
A: Ages 5 to 80 at all skill levels.

Q: Has the club produced competitive players?
A: Yes. In one year, 12 boys ranked No. 1 on their high school teams trained at the club.

Q: Is the grand opening free?
A: Yes. The event is free and open to the public.

Q: How long have the coaches worked there?
A: Coaches Wendy and Phil have worked alongside Genovese for more than 20 years.