Tennis is in Full Swing in Montclair.
By Maya Polton
We all know the pandemic caused many people to become creative with both exercise habits and work. Along with a boom in at-home workouts, the popularity of tennis saw a huge increase. You can play outdoors, be socially distant, use local courts, and there’s little equipment required. If tennis courts around Montclair seem more crowded, it’s not just your imagination. According to the Physical Activity Council, recreational participation in tennis rose 22% in the last year.
Two Montclair locals saw this trend and have made a successful business out of it. Aaron Reznik and Matthew Slowinski both grew up in Montclair. Aaron played varsity tennis at Montclair High School and club tennis at the University of Maryland. Matt went to Regis High School and played D1 tennis at Holy Cross. Together, they formed First Serve Tennis in the summer of 2020.
Their tennis program runs private lessons, group lessons, tournaments, clinics, and competitions in both tennis and pickleball. “We love the grind and responsibility of running our own business and are so grateful for the opportunity to do what we love,” said Aaron. The proof is in the numbers: First Serve Tennis has been so popular, they’ve hired additional coaches and have worked with over 600 kids and adults in the Montclair area. Their Instagram account @firsthservetennis21 has 8,000+ followers.
Since these guys are locals, they ranked their top five Montclair courts:
Mountainside Park Tennis Courts, 474 Upper Mountain Ave, Montclair, NJ 07043. These seven courts get busy, but the setting across from the famous Presby Iris Gardens can’t be beat.
Nishuane Park Tennis Courts, 48 High Street, Montclair, NJ 07042. At this park, there are more than five courts to play on.
Rand Park, 155 North Fullerton Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042. There are two courts and a hitting wall that’s great for solo practice.
Alexus Steakhouse Courts, 955 Valley Rd, Clifton, NJ 07013. Right outside of Montclair, the two courts are bright blue, so you’ll feel like you’re at the Australian Open.
Glenfield Park Tennis Courts, 25 Maple Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042. These three courts are located right behind the middle school.
They’re also giving back, by partnering with Rackets for Africa, a foundation started by Francisca Nyarko, the #1 tennis player in Ghana. Francisca grew up in Ghana and was given her first racket by an organization, motivating her to play and get a scholarship to college in the US. Aaron and Matt wanted to use the community they built to help get rackets to players who can’t buy one. They are collecting rackets at a collection spot at Montclair Beach Club or arranging racket pick-ups at your home.
Aaron and Matt can’t run a business and play tennis all day without fueling their bodies. Some of their favorite spots are Jackie’s Grillette and the always filling, hidden gem serving homestyle Dominican food, Paraiso Cocina Dominicana (check @paraiso_dominicana for daily specials) on William Street in Montclair.
