Teaching pro aids growing tennis program

New teaching pro adds to growth of Petaluma tennis.|

Tennis continues to bounce back in Petaluma. On the rise since the revitalization of the Petaluma Tennis Association four years ago, adult tennis will fill local courts this spring and summer.

In addition, the sport is getting a boost from a new professional teacher who is now available for both youth and adult players.

Serena Quarelli has been living in Petaluma for the last four years after moving here to care for her elderly mother.

Until coming to Petaluma, she bounced between her home in Arizona and Incline Village, where she ran a summer tennis program. She is now offering lessons in the local area for young people and adults.

Quarelli has an extensive tennis coaching background. She coached at Santa Monica College in her home town, where one of her women’s teams won a state championship. She also coached at the Riviera Tennis Club, Pierpoint Tennis Club and was an assistant pro at the Tucson Racquet Club and executive director of the Tucson Community Tennis Program.

As a player, she held a top-20 national ranking in both women’s doubles and singles for 15 years.

Although she has worked with many elite players in clubs and colleges, Quarelli says her first love is community tennis.

“I grew up playing in public parks,” she said. “Everyone deserves a chance to play. I ran a community tennis program in Tucson where we made courts by painting lines in a school yard.

“I don’t believe in charging a huge amount of money for lessons. I want to make tennis affordable and get more people playing.”

She not only offers private lessons, but plans to give clinics and conduct other tennis-related activities.

“I’m going to have to figure out how to navigate the Petaluma courts that are available and find out where I fit in,” she said.

Quarelli can be reached at serena.quarelli89@gmail.com.

Meanwhile, the PTA has a number of major events planned for this spring and summer.

The association hosts its monthly First Friday Round Robin Tournament on April 6 from 6-8 p.m. at Leghornhs Park.

All levels of high school age are older are welcome to participate, but reservations are required by visiting events@petalumatennisassociation.org. The first 16 players to respond will be entered in the tournament.

Two big events are scheduled for May, a Cinco de Mayo fundraising event on May 5 and a Memorial Day Tournament on May 28.

The First Friday Tournament on July 6 will have an Independence Day theme.

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