<p>Near the top of Sophia Davidson’s bucket list as a tennis player is competing at the U.S. Open.</p>
<p>While the Greenwood sophomore won’t be on the court when the tournament’s first round begins today in New York City, she will have a bird’s-eye view of the action.</p>
<p>Davidson spent the weekend at the Open as part of the USTA’s inaugural Net Generation Aces program. She was one of 17 teenage players from around the country chosen to take part.</p>
<p>Active in the USTA since she was very young, Davidson found out about the Net Generation Aces program in June and applied for a spot. She found out in late July that she was chosen as the representative for her district.</p>
<p>The 16-year-old arrived in New York on Friday and spent Saturday working as a volunteer at Arthur Ashe Kids Day, which helps introduce children to the sport and teach the basics.</p>
<p>"I think it’s going to be a big turnout," Davidson said before departing. "I think the point of bringing (the teenage ambassadors) into it is to add some fun."</p>
<p>Today, Davidson and her peers will get the VIP treatment, touring the grounds at Flushing Meadows and watching some of the opening-round matches.</p>
<p>Davidson’s work with the program will continue after she returns home — she plans to implement some of the initiatives discussed over the weekend as part of local programs that will increase tennis participation in and around Johnson County.</p>
<p>"That’s the main goal," Davidson said.</p>
<p>In addition, she’ll continue playing a couple of tournaments a month around the Midwest this fall and winter, keeping herself busy on the court all the way through until the high school season.</p>
<p>Davidson posted a 16-1 record last spring as a Greenwood freshman, winning the Mid-State Conference championship at No. 1 singles and earning All-County honors.</p>
