Hundreds of people converged on Randall’s Island on May 19, eager to be part of the sixth annual Cross River Open, the premier competitive tennis experience for the Jewish community.
Returning once again to the prestigious John McEnroe Tennis Academy, the event featured four different tournaments, with men and women competing separately in doubles and singles matches. All funds raised will benefit Our Place, whose drop-in centers, Living Room recovery communities, and Our Village sober homes in New York, New Jersey and Florida have been a haven to thousands of struggling Jewish teens and young adults for more than 25 years.
Over 80 players ranging in age from high schoolers to grandparents competed in the Cross River Open. Spectators cheered on their favorites during round-robin play, which seeded players based on their performance. As the day wore on, the energy skyrocketed as round-robin matches gave way to playoffs, the excitement reaching a fever pitch by the time the championships were held and the winners were finally determined. Taking top honors this year were Stevie Fruchter in the men’s singles, the father and son team of Michael and Jacob Pfeiffer in the men’s doubles, Chavi Golding in the women’s singles, and Bibi Lipton and Debbie Marcus in the women’s doubles. Marcus lives in Basking Ridge and is the RKYHS tennis coach.
The luxury experience for players included on-site massage therapists, personal trainers and a variety of hydration options, as well Cross River backpacks filled with the hottest swag. Throughout the day, competitors had the opportunity to enjoy complimentary racket stringing and to meet with Noah Rubin, this year’s celebrity tennis pro.
A kids’ carnival and other activities provided family-friendly entertainment throughout the afternoon. On the gastronomic side, Partini Events catered the MYDA Grand Slam Barbeque, a fitting conclusion to an incredible day.
The tennis tournament has become a highly anticipated event for Cross River. Our Place Director Rabbi Aryeh Young credited Cross River, the tournament’s main event supporter, for its continued success each year, generating funding that allows Our Place to continue keeping its doors open.
Rabbi Young also expressed his gratitude to the tournament’s other sponsors which included Grand Slam Banquet sponsor MYDA Advisors, venue sponsor Tiferes Ventures, apparel sponsors PVE, The SHB Group and Skyline Restoration, water bottle sponsor Hub International, court sponsors Prat, Morningside Evaluations, Centurion Anesthesia, Palm Gardens Center, Jerrick Associates Inc., Morrison Cohen LLP, 101 Technologies International, Optimum Building Restoration and Hudson Sustainable Group, and listing sponsors, Rand, KM Associates of New York, Hampshire Properties, Lincoln Equities Group, Cedarview Capital, Dri Mark Products Inc., Crosscheck, Recovery at the Crossroads, EDG Design+Restore, Overcome, Lake Construction, Hasten Family Foundation, Coast Group Crop and Deb El Food Products LLC.
“The generosity of our sponsors gives us the ability to help the hundreds who rely on us every single year,” said Rabbi Young. “Their ongoing partnership means the world to us and we are truly grateful to our steadfast sponsors for their unprecedented and indefatigable commitment.”
