By Abigail Kim

Tennis is one of the more expensive sports to play because it requires access to courts, equipment, coaching, and club memberships. More often than not, such costs can deter students from pursuing their passions solely due to their financial limitations. 

Recognizing that this was an issue, seniors Leah Lazaryan and Adya Barthwal were prompted to start Tennis Together LA, a community service project that teaches tennis to underprivileged youth. The goal of their project is to assist adolescents who have a passion for tennis but are prevented from doing so due to their financial means. Ultimately, their work is making a profound impact on the lives of underprivileged youth and is breaking down financial and societal barriers that limit participation in this fun sport. 

Motivated by their mutual love for tennis, and their realization about the inequality caused by financial circumstances, the two set out to do something about it. 

“We wanted to share our love for tennis with the many kids who wanted to try the sport out and see if their future held a special spot for it,” said Lazaryan. “Our overall goal is to cater to lower-income children who find interest in tennis but can’t pursue it due to things out of their control.”

Lazaryan and Barthwal felt that money shouldn’t be an obstacle for those looking to pursue, hence why all their lessons are cost-free. By organizing clinics catered to children aged 5-17 years old, Lazaryan and Barthwal strive to create a welcoming environment in which children can learn to play tennis and have fun. 

The clinics are held at tennis courts in Porter Ranch Estates and public parks, and they teach around seven kids at a time. Lessons take up to an hour more, and the two provide all the necessary equipment and motivational snacks, making it an accessible and attractive sport to any interested children. 

Both Lazaryan and Barthwal have significant experience in tennis, and their unique dual coaching approach demonstrates their skills with the sport and understanding of the differences in each of their students’ needs. 

“While I would deal with the younger students to build them with the fundamental, basic knowledge to start playing tennis, Adya dealt with the older group as they were already steady in their playing style,” said Lazaryan. “We focused heavily on drills and occasional matchplay to foster a competitive environment.” 

Throughout their time teaching their students, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The children have shown significant enthusiasm for the sport and Larzaryan and Barthwal witnessed remarkable progress among them all. Watching the kids rally and play games against each other after weeks of practice was a testament to the effectiveness of their teaching methods. To them, however, seeing the joy and camaraderie among all of the students was one of the most rewarding aspects of their entire experience. 

“The most rewarding part of this journey would definitely be seeing the kids truly enjoy playing and having fun,” said Barthwal. “Some of them at first are shy but over time they familiarize themselves with us and the other kids and watching them talk to each other between drills, and have fun playing on the court really feels so genuinely rewarding.” 

Tennis Together LA’s efforts are a prime example of how community projects can truly make a difference, no matter how small they may be. In removing all financial barriers and offering quality instruction, Lazaryan, and Barthwal are not just teaching tennis but also inspiring a new generation of players. Their work highlights the importance of sports and accessibility, and that every child regardless of their background, should have the opportunity to explore and pursue their passions. In a world that is often dictated by financial means, Tennis Together LA is a beacon of hope and an exemplar of how with hard work and support, tennis can be a sport for everyone.