USTA makes room for champions.

Some of the best tennis players in the land will take to the courts at the USTA National Tennis Center (NTC) this summer to battle it out for the crown. No, we're not referring to the US Open, the world's largest annual sporting event--this is the National Public Parks Tennis Championships.

Starting on June 19 and running through June 25, some of the nation's best amateur tennis players will face off to try to take home a National Championship at the 80th Annual National Public Parks Tennis Championships (NPPTC).

Founded in 1923 by Dwight Davis, the namesake for the Davis Cup, the NPPTC gave individuals in the host cities, and others from throughout the U.S., the opportunity to compete for a national championship. Until 1968, the winner of the Open division even gained entry to the U.S. National Championships (now the U.S. Open).

The 2005 NPPTC, held in Stamford, Conn., boasted a record 525 entrants, participating in divisions ranging in age from 10-year-olds to individuals in their 90s. Included in this bunch was Flushing, N.Y., resident Ted Zoob, who, at the age of 91, took home the crown for the Men's 90s Singles Division and Karin Korb of Atlanta, Ga., who became the first wheelchair player in NPPTC history to play against and defeat an able-bodied opponent.

This year's event looks to be even bigger, with about 1,000 players expected to compete at the United States' largest public tennis facility.

"Holding the National Public Parks Championships at the USTA National Tennis Center, the home of the U.S. Open, is a testament to the importance of the event," said Franklin Johnson, chairman of the Board and president, USTA. "With more than 70 percent of tennis being played on public courts, the USTA realizes the necessity of supporting and raising the awareness of public parks tennis, and what better way to honor these players than to have them compete for a National Championship on the same stage as the world's greatest tennis professionals."

For more information visit www.usta. com/tennislink, or call [phone].