Conrad Weiser’s Emma Perkins partners with Madison Keys at Court of Dreams Celebration of Tennis event

Emma Perkins got a chance to share the court with professionals Friday at the Madison Keys Court of Dreams Celebration of Tennis event in Charles City, Iowa.

The rising junior at Conrad Weiser and a two-time Berks Player of the Year teamed with Madison Keys, the 2017 U.S. Open runner-up, for a 4-2 victory over WTA pro Caty McNally and Iowa junior player Maya Mallavarapu on the grass court at the All Iowa Lawn Tennis Club.

“It was an honor to be on the court with such a legend in American tennis in Madison,” Perkins said. “It was surreal to be on the court next to someone you see playing on TV.”

Keys, 27, has been ranked as high as No. 7 in the world, has won six WTA tournament titles and finished fourth at the 2016 Olympics. She reached the Australian Open semifinals this year and beat Wimbledon champ Elena Rybakina in the third round of the French Open.

“I was thrilled to see Emma on court and playing so wonderfully with Madison and enjoying the moment,” said Ryan Knarr, the Conrad Weiser tennis coach and Berks County Tennis Association president who served as the event director.

Perkins also partnered with former pro Nathan Healey in a mixed doubles exhibition against pro KP Pannu and Mallavarapu, losing 4-3.

Healey, who is from Australia and is now a coach, is married to Berks native Marnie Heller-Healey and is living in Wyomissing this summer. Heller-Healey is the daughter of the late Merv Heller, the founder of the BCTA and former president of the USTA.

The event, which included other matches, began Thursday with a youth clinic and a symposium on mental health.

All proceeds will benefit the All Iowa Lawn Tennis Club Foundation and Kindness Wins.

Kindness Wins is a nonprofit organization created by Keys that supports and encourages acts of kindness at a grass-roots level.

“Today was truly a forever moment and world-class opportunity to showcase one of the most beautiful tennis courts in the world at the Court of Dreams with one of our All-American girls Madison Keys and friends,” Knarr said.

Source: Berkshire mont