The next generation of tennis greats is being bred in the Bronx.

The love of the game is blossoming in Crotona Park, where the borough’s youth flock every weekend to serve up some fun against police officers-turned-coaches as part of the city’s effort to keep kids off the street and out of trouble.

The weekly meet-up at the Cary Leeds Center saw a burst in popularity in the last several weeks as the only city-sponsored youth crime prevention program to offer the sport.

“I love it! I love the opportunities that they give us because my parents don’t really have time to take me to the park. And I love how it’s a safe environment. I just like socializing. And I just love to do it,” said Amaya Paulino, 12, who has advanced to an intermediate level just six months after first picking up the racket.

Paulino is one of more than 50 kids who gather at the tennis courts every Saturday as part of the city Department of Youth and Community Development Saturday Night Lights (SNL) program that offers young people an alternative place to go that keeps them out of trouble and to build relationships with their local police.

There are more than 136 other variations of the crime prevention initiative throughout the five boroughs, with an emphasis in underserved communities, but the Bronx boasts the only tennis-centered program — and the kids are taking full advantage of the chance to become the next generation of Serena Williamses and Taylor Fritzes.

Just 15 kids showed up two years ago for the start of the program, which was offered in partnership with New York Junior Tennis and Learning (NYJTL).

Now, the kids are squeezing into the three reserved courts every week, and their coaches have to usher them out when the gates close at 9 p.m. — and some kids are showing up hours before the start time to get in as many swings as possible.

Tennis enthusiast Christian Melhado, 13, logs in at least six hours of gameplay every Saturday, breaking only to chow down on pizza doled out by SNL — saying coach Victor Ayudant is helping to fulfill his dreams of becoming a professional, like his hero, Spanish player Carlos Alcaraz.

“I like his speed and how he never gives up, even when he’s losing,” the incoming 8th grader gushed, adding that he’d describe his fellow SNL players as “best friends and teammates rolled into one.”

While some of the kids had a love for the game before SNL, many developed their passion through the program, including 17-year-old Santiago Reynoso, who is enjoying his first year as a coach after spending two years as a player.

“When I first started, it was just like an after-school club thing. A bunch of my friends were playing tennis already, so I just tried it out,” Reynoso explained, adding that if he hadn’t picked up a racket, he’d probably just be playing video games every Saturday.

“Now, I want to teach these kids. It’s exciting, but it’s also nerve-wracking because I don’t really know if they’re really gonna like it as much as I do! So I’m trying to make it as fun as possible for them, not trying to push them too much to play.”

That fun factor is of the utmost importance, Ayudant, the NYJTL manager, emphasized — pointing out that providing an enticing space for kids without judgment is the entire point of the program.

There have been kids who come by just for the free pizza, he adds, but it’s OK because it’s better than turning anyone away and leaving them to the streets.

For Dili Jefferson, a community affairs officer from the 42nd Precinct, participating in the program every week is a no-brainer — even if it means coming by on her days off.

“It’s something the community needs. It’s something that kids need to keep them out of trouble, to keep them busy and help bridge the gap where they see that I’m just like them — I play sports like them, look like them. We build a bond over time. It’s so worth it,” she explained.