As fuzzy green balls whizzed across the court, Jean Chavannes leaned forward on a park bench to watch his 5-year-old daughter, Christelle, learn to play tennis.

The Evanston resident played tennis frequently in Haiti before he emigrated in 1993. He brought his daughter to the tennis open house at James Park on Saturday with the hope that she would grow to love the game as much as he does, though he admits he preferred the style of play in Haiti.

“I used to play with the French technique,” he said. “Here it’s American, more basic and more rigid. With the French, you just let yourself go.”

The Chavannes family was one of many at the event hosted by Frank Sacks Tennis Camps and the Chandler-Newberger Center, 1028 Central St.

About 15 adults and 10 children came to the courts at James Park, which is on Oakton Street west of Dodge Avenue. The free event promoted for-pay offerings of the City of Evanston’s tennis program, which is run by Frank Sacks Tennis Camps.

Dressed in a periwinkle jacket and skirt, Christelle ran around and swatted the ball. An instructor led her and several other children through drills such as “walking the dog,” which involved rolling a ball along the court with the racquet.

Later, as the children were supposed to collect hula hoops for a footwork drill, some spun them around their waist instead. Others pushed them along the ground and chased them.

“Let me have the hula hoop,” the instructor said as he laughed and extended his hands. “Let me have the hula hoop!”

Eventually, the children set the hoops flat on the court, like tires at a football practice, and practiced moving through them quickly.

“In and out! Ooh, almost collision there. Hot potato!” the instructor said.

On another of the six courts, a group of middle-aged men and women learned how to return shots. The adults moved energetically, hurrying into position and bouncing on their feet as they waited for the ball.

Evanston resident and part-time tax accountant Nancy Jenkins jogged back and forth in a black vest and a white visor. She was enthusiastic throughout the two-hour session, smiling whenever she made a good shot. Jenkins has been playing tennis since she was 14 – for more than 40 years.

“It’s a good way to meet people and it’s good exercise,” she said.

She had not played much recently, partially because of tax season and partially because she had foot surgery last year, she said. But she said she was impressed by the instructors.

“You learn a lot,” Jenkins said.

She and the other students in her group were taught by Jolanta Jedrzejewska, who played tennis professionally in Poland. Jedrzejewska faced them from the other side of the court in her light blue track suit, sending balls and advice over the net.

“You have to move your feet, ladies and gentlemen!” she called.

As she gave her students a series of balls to hit towards different targets, she said, “Swing! Swing! Punch it!”

Meeting people and helping students improve makes teaching rewarding, Jedrzejewska said.

“You start with people with no skills,” she said. “When you see them doing better and better, it’s a great thing.”

To keep the practice going, players occasionally would have to gather the scattered tennis balls, which seemed to enjoy running away, dodging hands and feet until they were captured and corralled on a racket.

The City of Evanston contracts Frank Sacks Tennis Camps to run its tennis program, said organization president Sacks at the event. His company offers lessons in the Chicago suburbs throughout the year.

At the session, Sacks worked with a second group of adults, teaching how to swing and follow through. Players lined up behind him, holding out their racquets in position and then mimicking his arm movements a few seconds after he made them.

Sacks, who has taught for more than 30 years, said he has played tennis since he was a kid.

“It’s the greatest sport around,” he said. “It has what no other sport really has: great exercise, sociability and a great intellectual challenge.”

Saturday was ideal for tennis, with warm sun, a light breeze and a soaring blue sky. Cheetos bags and soda cans covered the grass at James Park after two hours of activities.

At the conclusion of the event, players chatted and packed up their gear, laughing and smiling. Kids went to their parents, who either came from their cars and or from the court.

One father-son team, Al and Saul Lieberman, practiced together throughout the morning. They have been playing for about 10 years.

“I call it my last game,” said Al, 66. “I can’t play football, I can’t play baseball, but I can play tennis.”

His son Saul agreed. “You can play this game forever.”

Reach Tom Giratikanon at [email protected].