Northeast Park Tennis Center in Meridian tapped by USTA for US Open Family Day!

"You Haven't Seen Anything Yet!"

That’s the promise from Peter Mazzella, Director of Tennis at Northeast Park Tennis Center in Meridian, Mississippi — one of just six facilities nationwide selected to host the inaugural US Open Family Day on Sunday, August 24.

Also selected was the Asheville (N.C.) Tennis Association, making Northeast Park one of only two facilities in the USTA Southern Section to receive the honor.

Mazzella, who has led the center since 2020, says attendees can expect a fun-filled day of tennis, games, live music, face painting, and a US Open watch party both indoors and outdoors. The event is backed by $4,000 in funding from the USTA and USTA Southern.

“This is the biggest honor for me personally and for everyone at the facility,” said Mazzella.

More Than Just Tennis

Northeast Park has a rich history of community involvement and inclusion, winning the USTA Mississippi Adaptive Tennis Award and launching the state’s first registered Adaptive Tennis Program, “Roll and Run.”

Mazzella himself was named 2022 USTA Mississippi Coach of the Year and received the 2024 USPTA (now RSPA) Industry Excellence Award.

He credits a passionate team of volunteers for the center’s success:

• Donna Hand keeps the grounds looking great

• Toni Jackson organizes events

• Bruce Clauson handles logistics and behind-the-scenes work

A True Community Hub

Northeast Park is home to high school matches, regional tournaments, USTA League play, adaptive tennis, and Meridian Community College matches. Mazzella also coaches Newton County Academy’s boys' and girls' teams.

Since joining in 2020 during the pandemic, Mazzella has focused on building momentum through events like mixers, competitive play, and tennis festivals.

“Energy snowballs and others follow,” he says. “Everyone’s trying to win, but you hear more laughing than anything. You haven’t seen anything yet!”