Five Chelsea children got closer to professional tennis than most fans ever do: they stepped onto courts used at the U.S. Open in New York. The trip grew out of a free summer program back home, where children practice tennis and spend time reading.

Rigoberto Gonzalez, Eden Souffrant, Oliver Bonilla, Mila Dormevil and Samiah Clerie attended the 2026 U.S. Open in New York City with their families. The trip gave them a chance to watch professional tennis and play on courts associated with the tournament.

The visit took place during the summer and was reported by the Chelsea Record on October 15. It was a completed opportunity, not an upcoming event.

Five players get a special opportunity

Rigoberto Gonzalez and Eden Souffrant were each 9 years old, Oliver Bonilla and Samiah Clerie were 12, and Mila Dormevil was 8 at the time of the report.

The students were selected for their interest in tennis, their skills and steady participation in the Tenacity Chelsea program. The opportunity included their families, giving parents and children a shared experience in New York.

Chelsea Recreation & Cultural Affairs Director Bea Cravatta said the city's partnership with Tenacity has helped expand local tennis opportunities. Richard Wilson, who launched Tenacity Chelsea, described the joy of seeing children he helped introduce to the game reach such a milestone.

The experience gave the children and their families time together at one of tennis's biggest events. It also showed what regular participation in a neighborhood recreation program can lead to.

Tennis and books at Voke Park

The U.S. Open trip grew out of a much more familiar summer routine: heading to Voke Park for tennis practice and reading time.

According to Tenacity's Chelsea program information, the free Summer Tennis & Reading Program combines tennis instruction and fitness with reading activities. Chelsea Recreation & Cultural Affairs is the local partner.

The 2026 program ran July 6 through August 14. Morning sessions served children ages 6 to 12, while afternoon sessions were for ages 10 to 15.

The morning and afternoon sessions serve different age groups, so beginners and returning players can build their skills. Every session pairs time on the court with reading and other activities.

Free participation matters. Families can try a sport without first committing to the costs of private lessons, while children also keep reading and moving during the school break.

Other Chelsea players had reasons to celebrate

Approximately 65 children joined the local program this summer, according to the Chelsea Record. The article described a high level of participation since the program began in Chelsea in 2021.

Twenty-two Chelsea players also competed in Boston's Mayor's Cup Tournament. Rigoberto Gonzalez and Oliver Bonilla earned finalist trophies in the 12-and-under division.

That means the summer's success was bigger than one trip. Children also practiced, competed in Boston and earned recognition for their progress.

Learning tennis requires concentration, repetition and the willingness to keep trying after a missed shot. The reading component adds another way to practice those habits.

How families can learn more

The Chelsea Recreation & Cultural Affairs information page is a place to look for future local programs, including registration information when another tennis season is announced.

The published 2026 sessions have ended. Families should not mistake last summer's schedule for an open 2027 registration period.

For Rigoberto, Eden, Oliver, Mila and Samiah, the U.S. Open was a special ending to an active summer. Their experience gives other Chelsea families a reason to learn what the free tennis-and-reading program could offer next year.