Supporters of Canton High School tennis look to boost sport
Pictured (from left to right) are Emma Meyers, Silvana Decina, Emily Shanlikian, Eric Younan, Charlotte Andres and Joohan Mahmood.
To use a tennis term, supporters of Canton High School’s boys and girls tennis programs don’t love taking a perennial backseat to Kensington Lakes Activities Association powers Northville and Novi.
Led by Head Coach Joohan Mahmood, the Cobras intend to do something about it — hopefully with the speed more comparable to an ace than a lob.
With the assistance of parents of returning players (with Eric Younan at the forefront) Canton is launching a summer tennis camp for students who are in eighth grade or younger.
Summer practices boost skill levels
Mahmood is also encouraging incoming ninth-graders and returning players to attend a three-days-a-week voluntary summer workout schedule for returning players — both boys and girls.
“Ideally, I’d like to have the girls learn basic things like service motion and groundstrokes during the off-season so when the season starts they’re not working on the basics,” Mahmood said. “I want them to be ready to compete once the season starts.”
Younan shared an observation as to why Northville and Novi generally dominate the KLAA and usually advance far in the post-season.
Novi, Northville share instruction advantage
“I play at the Novi Athletic Club throughout the year and whenever I walk in, there are high school players from Novi, Northville and Catholic Central getting instruction,” he said. “That has a lot to do with their success. Our wish list includes the addition of a tennis club in Plymouth or Canton. That would be awesome and do wonders for players at Canton, Plymouth and Salem.
“A parent of a senior player told me she’s never seen an optional summer practice regimen like we’re starting.”
Diane Meyers, the mother of soon-to-be-sophomore player Emma Meyers, loves the idea of a structured summer practice schedule.
‘Minimal offerings outside of Ann Arbor, Northville’
“I think it’s an exciting opportunity,” Meyers said. “When we’ve looked for off-season tennis opportunities, there are a very minimal number of offerings outside of Ann Arbor, Northville and Novi. I think having an opportunity to practice throughout the summer will give an extra edge for our players.”
“We need some type of farm system for the girls,” Mahmood added, alluding to the optional summer practices. “Generally, the boys have already been playing throughout the summer because it leads into their season in the fall.”
While the Canton girls’ players skills may not be as sharp as their opponents to the north, their commitment to the sport is as strong as steel.
“When the P-CEP courts were being replaced during the 2025 season, the girls team had to ship out to Westland John Glenn to practice,” Mahmood said. “To their credit, all the girls stuck with it and didn’t quit due to the inconvenience.
Ready to go
“Once the first eight courts were ready, we were practicing even while they were still putting up the fencing and painting the lines on the other 16 courts.”
The inaugural summer camps for incoming ninth-graders and younger are set for July 20-23 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at P-CEP tennis courts just south of Joy Road; and July 27-30 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The cost is $120 and includes a free T-shirt for all participants. To register, click here.
All incoming ninth-graders and younger are welcome to participate. The Canton girls and boys tennis coaches and varsity players will be running drills and games that offer plenty of hitting experience. Beginners and experienced players (both boys and girls) are welcome to attend.
Camp participants are asked to wear comfortable athletic clothing and tennis shoes (and sunscreen). Participants should bring a labeled tennis racquet and refillable water bottle. Hats and sunglasses are also encouraged.
