Vitas and Junior Tennis
Vitas' foundation, the Gerulaitis Foundation, provided money, balls and racquets to NYC Parks Dept. Tennis programs in the 70's, 80's and continued after his death.
As a 13 year old player, I met Vitas at a NY APPLES match in Madison Square Garden. He was genuine, and elated to meet a few of us who were being presented with Sportsmanship Awards.
Several times over my preteen and teen years, Vitas would have the top players in the world accompany him to Central Park to provide a clinic to thousands of awed children. It was an honor, and a memory forever burned in my heart.