The first tennis match in space took place with the help of astronaut Alexander Gerst. The unique action was projected onto the “Unisphere” in the Queens district of New York, directly in front of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The US Open will be held there from Monday.
Before the small game in space, the initiator of this premiere, the American astronaut and tennis fan Andrew Jay Feustel, had got tips from the third in the world rankings Juan Martin Del Potro (Argentina) via video chat.
Feustel, Alexander Gerst, Serena Aunon-Chancellor and Ricky Arnold then contested their historic double encounter in the universe with foam balls and mini rackets.
“The external circumstances up here were understandably particularly challenging. Of course we had a net, but the ball was also allowed to fly under the net,” reported NASA pilot Feustel.
The action was projected onto the “Unisphere”, this steel globe in front of the southern exit of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, which was built in 1964 for the World Exhibition.
“Tennis has always played a role in my family. My grandparents made me do it. Later, my wife Indira brought me back in,” explained 52-year-old Feustel, who is of course a member of the US tennis association USTA. His sons Ari and Aden were at the Houston tournament for ten years as ball children. Houston! Of all things!
The tennis premiere in space was supported by Net Generation, the youth division of the USTA. “I hope that the children who have seen us play in space will realize Everything is possible in life,” Feustel stressed.