President’s Message

Western Wake Tennis community has enjoyed impressive success this year, including teams attending Sectionals and Nationals! In addition to those achievements we also recognize and celebrate all of our local tennis community. We are full of vibrant tennis enthusiasts who work, play, teach and volunteer to make our area special. Including North Carolina Tennis’ Spirit Award winner, Victoria Thio, Apex Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department for Outstanding Parks and Recreation award , JTT coordinators Bill Reynolds and Kirstie Marx, and the Cary Tennis Park staff for Junior Tennis Council Award. In addition to the North Carolina awards, Racquet Sports Industry magazine  recognized Cary Tennis Park as the 2025 Municipality of the Year and Laura Weygandt as the 2025 Grassroots Champion of the Year.

As I transition out of the role of President of WWTA, I reflect on how tennis has evolved in Western Wake since I picked up a racquet here many years ago. There has been an enormous amount of growth and with that growth more and more opportunities for people to engage in this great sport. While league tennis is a big part of WWTA, we are so much more than that. We have Abilities Tennis, Wheelchair Tennis, Tennis for Life, Beginner Programs and newly added Ladies Quads and Level Up clinics.

Our tradition of giving has also grown. We contribute yearly to Prestonwood’s  Pink Day, MacGregor Down’s Pretty in Pink, Lochmere’s Raise a Racket-to-fight Dementia, Cary Tennis Classic pro event, WWTA Charity Classic for Transitions Life Care and local scholarships. And new this year Sunset’s Court for a Cause, Carolina Preserve’s Dorcas Drive and a grant to the Town of Apex to help with court resurfacing! Giving back is always the most rewarding way to build our community.

Growth leads to change, which allows for new connections and transitions to new opportunities. The growth in our Western Wake Tennis community led me to participate as more than a league player and captain. It led me to volunteer in tournaments, charity events and to the Executive Board of WWTA. I am grateful for the experience and people. The staff of WWTA and our local facilities are incredible. Our new incoming President of WWTA, Kris Merck, has had a similar journey to mine as a member of Western Wake Tennis community. His perspective and dedication will continue to make the Western Wake Tennis Association area a wonderful place to be a part of!

We wish you all a Happy Holiday season and New Year!

Sherene Halko, WWTA President

Laura Weygandt – WWTA Executive Director