NEW YORK — The USTA and American Tennis Affiliation on Monday introduced a brand new initiative to develop range in tennis, with a concentrate on rising Black illustration within the sport.
Tennis has confronted criticism for its overwhelmingly white skilled ranks, with solely two Black males — Arthur Ashe and Yannick Noah — ever hoisting a significant trophy.
“We’re proud to formalize our relationship with the ATA, which has a wealthy and storied historical past of breaking down obstacles and reworking tennis right into a sport that’s extra various and inclusive,” Marisa Grimes, the USTA’s chief range, fairness and inclusion officer, mentioned in an announcement.
The ATA was based in 1916 after the USTA’s predecessor, the US Garden Tennis Affiliation, barred Black gamers from competing in opposition to white gamers in organized tournaments.
The partnership coincides with the seventy fifth anniversary of Althea Gibson breaking the colour barrier in 1950, when she grew to become the primary Black tennis participant to compete within the U.S. Nationwide Championship, which might later change into the U.S. Open.
“That is additionally the fiftieth anniversary of Arthur Ashe being the primary and solely African American male to win the Wimbledon males’s singles championship. As nice as these achievements had been, I’m reminded of Althea saying, ‘It doesn’t matter what accomplishments you make, anyone helped you,'” ATA president Robert Foster mentioned. “This collaboration with the USTA helps us to extend consciousness of the ATA, develop our model, and assist enhance the tennis group footprint.”
The initiative will embody a mentorship program for growing various tennis professionals and coaches, from the junior stage and up.
Reuters contributed to this report.
