Fenty sweeps on new court, besting kids at tennis

Adrian Fenty may not yet have a high-profile challenger in the upcoming mayor's contest, but he lived up to his reputation as a relentless competitor this morning in a surprising venue.

While his abilities on the track and on a bicycle are well known, Fenty showed off his racket skills this morning as he took on a mismatched field of opponents at the Hillcrest Recreation Center.

Fenty challenged elementary and middle school students from the Winston Education Campus in a game of short court indoor tennis as part of an event to release the city's guide to spring and summer recreation programs and to announce upcoming registration.

Fenty, dressed in a red-striped tie and black boots, told the kids to "take it easy on the mayor."

But the mayor certainly didn't go easy on the kids. He pointed and called "Out!" as their balls flew out of bounds and threw his hands up in victory, leaving undefeated after about a half-dozen rounds.

There were no hard feelings, though, as Fenty shook hands with one of his rivals and the kids gathered around the mayor to smile for a photo before heading back to class.

-- Ann E. Marimow