Before the start of the third season of Papi Tennis at Williamsbridge Oval Park, its founder Daniel Arzuaga, is busy clearing the puddles left from an overnight rain.

“There’s a real community aspect to tennis because it’s played all over the world,” says Arzuaga.

As members of the group begin to appear on the nearly dried courts, the special bonds of the participants are clear as they hug, say hello, and laugh before the more advanced players start their serves accompanied by grunts and yelps.

“I like to think of this group as a tennis family,” Arzuaga says.

Founded in April 2017, Papi Tennis plays on the eight courts of Oval Park and is free to all. The skill levels vary from no tennis experience to more advanced players.  On this day, three courts included singles and doubles matches with a fourth court used for beginners’ practice.

Olivia, affectionately known as the “Church Lady” because of her work at a nearby house of worship, always wanted to play tennis but had never taken formal lessons.  “I’m so happy I found Papi Tennis. [Arzuaga has] been so helpful to me and all the others at Oval Park,” says Olivia.

In the 1970s, when Arzuaga was growing up in the Morrisania and Claremont Village neighborhoods, his parents considered nearby tennis courts too dangerous to play in.  “It wasn’t until after my 40s that I started to play seriously,” Arzuaga says.

After graduating from Yale University with a degree in English, Arzuaga went on to receive his law degree from Boston College Law School in 1992.

While living in Dubai in 2014, in addition to playing, Arzuaga started giving tennis lessons.  When he returned to the Bronx the following year, he noticed that the eight courts inside Williamsbridge Oval Park were never fully occupied.

“In Manhattan, some [tennis] courts are really strict about how long you can use them.  I still need to take out a permit to play [in Oval Park], but it’s a more relaxed atmosphere,” says Arzuaga.

The first two years of Papi Tennis’ growth was due mostly to social media and word-of-mouth.  Last fall, however, Arzuaga formally organized the group as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit group, allowing him to apply for grants from organizations such as the United States Tennis Association (USTA).

Organizing as a non-profit will allow the group to expand its membership and provide rackets to those who cannot afford to buy one.  Currently, Papi Tennis lends the rackets and balls to those without any equipment.

Just as important as the business side of Papi Tennis, Arzuaga wants to ensure that the family spirit on display today continues.  He introduces Jason Christie, a baker who runs “The Baking Room” from his home and sometimes provides cakes for the tennis players.  “He’s an example of how our group is a family, a network, and more than just tennis,” Arzuaga says.

As Arzuaga looks at the 22 members of Papi Tennis present at Williamsbridge Oval Park on a beautiful spring day, he remembers the first session in 2017 with the first six participants.

“I always knew I wanted to make this group a tennis family.  A place where everyone feels like they belong,” Arzuaga says.

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