By Kim Freeman, Junior Leagues Vice President
As I approach my final season as Junior Leagues VP, I wanted to look back at the history of ALTA Junior tennis and give a big thank you to our amazing parents and managers for all your dedication and hard work. I have been volunteering for the juniors since 2007, and I look forward to future volunteer opportunities within ALTA.
I’m excited to share a little history about ALTA junior tennis and touch on something near and dear to all of us, the role of parents. It has been quite a journey since ALTA started offering leagues for our younger players, and I think it’s important to remember how far we have come.
When researching ALTA history, I discovered the original purpose of the organization was to promote tennis tournaments and junior tennis development in the Atlanta area. A small group of passionate parents with a love for tennis wanted to create opportunities for kids to play in a fun and friendly environment. Back then, junior teams were informal, with matches often played on local neighborhood courts and little more than a few families coming together to share their love for the game.
Over the years, the league grew rapidly, forming a structured system of teams, divisions, and age groups to serve an increasingly diverse and talented group of players. ALTA Junior Leagues now have thousands of kids competing across Atlanta every season, with programs designed not only to develop tennis skills, but to build confidence, sportsmanship, and lifelong friendships. We’ve come a long way from those early days, but we still hold on to the spirit of community and fun that got us started.
Of course, the players are the stars, but behind every serve and volley is an incredible team of parents making it all happen. I want to take a moment to really highlight how important you are to the experience our kids have on the court.
Parents, your positivity, calm energy, and support make all the difference. When you stay relaxed and encouraging from the sidelines, it helps your child play better and enjoy the entire tennis experience. Watching you make friends with other parents and cheering on all the kids creates a great community vibe that keeps the season fun and exciting.
I remember one match, years ago, when my own daughter was struggling during a tough game. Instead of fixating on the score, I simply told her how proud I was of her effort and how much fun I had watching her play. That small change made all the difference. She shifted from feeling stressed to truly enjoying the moment, and it reminded me just how powerful our attitudes can be.
We get that every child handles wins, losses, and the pressure of competition differently, and that’s okay. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is give them a little space to process, then be ready to celebrate effort and progress over perfection. Trusting the coaches and letting your children learn at their own pace shows great love and care, and it’s exactly what helps players grow both as athletes and people.
So, thank you so much to every parent who encourages, cheers, and creates a positive environment. Your support is what makes ALTA junior tennis special, and every match is better because you’re there.
Here’s to more great seasons ahead, filled with fun, growth, and lots of memorable moments on and off the court!
