Thursday, October 1, 2026
A group of 12 winning tennis players from the Five Towns and surrounding communities will soon play in another U.S. Open Championship — and some of the biggest matches they might ever face.
Part of the United States Tennis Association Men’s 3.5 League, the team finished the regular season with a 14-0 record, beating teams from Syosset, Oceanside, North Merrick, Hempstead and Lynbrook since mid-May, and followed by winning the Nassau and Suffolk County championships. With a record of 17-0, it won the right to compete in the Sectional Championship in Schenectady on Aug.10-12, where it beat every challenger from the North East Section of the United States. With a combined record of 22-0, the team earned a trip to the USTA League 3.5 Adult National Championship which starts on Oct. 5 in Tucson, Ariz.
“I’ve had teams before, but there is something very special about this team,” said Don Rodgers, an interior designer from Woodmere and captain of the team. “We play together as a team, and help each other on and off the courts.
“We have no coach,” he added, “but started weekly practices in January (months before most teams) as I believe that practices not only make better tennis players, but make better tennis partners, better teammates, and great friendships.”
Rodgers, 69, whose home court is Rockville Racquet, said that when the tennis community learned about the newly formed team, players started calling him about trying out. He said he turned down many players, because for one reason or another, they didn’t fit into the team he’d assembled.
