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USTA.com celebrates Black History Month

February is Black History Month, and USTA.com celebrates by looking at the impact and achievements of African Americans in our great sport of tennis.

News

Making History: An Interview with Arthur Carrington

Arthur Carrington

USTA.com spoke with former American Tennis Association National Champion Arthur Carrington, who recently wrote "Black Tennis: An Archival Collection Between 1890 and 1962."

Official Nimmons celebrates career, calls for tennis diversity

Tony Nimmons

Certified silver-badge umpire Tony Nimmons wears many hats -- player, official, organizer, recruiter -- and his energy is superseded only by his message: The next great umpire could be anybody with passion and love for tennis.

A whirlwind year for a young singing sensation

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Since performing on Opening Night of the 2010 US Open, Michael Woodard, 13, has seen his singing career skyrocket.

Q&A with American star Mashona Washington

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Veteran star Mashona Washington took some time to talk to USTA.com about her top career moments and her plans for life after tennis.

Q&A with American star Ahsha Rolle

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Ahsha Rolle took some time to talk to USTA.com about her athletic family, her goals for the season and her best achievements.

Sportsmen's Tennis Club continues legacy

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Serving 3,000 youth players each year, Executive Director Toni Wiley takes pride in the work of the Sportsmen's Tennis Club.

Q&A with junior star Victoria Duval

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Fifteen-year-old Victoria Duval recently took time to answer questions for USTA.com about her first pro win in Midland, her plans for the year and more.

Anita Stamps, volunteer extraordinaire

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Anita Stamps not only loves to play tennis, but she loves to introduce others to the game, assist those who might not know how to play the game and mentor area youth not only in tennis but life skills, as well.

Top moments by African Americans in US Open history

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In honor of Black History Month, we look back at some of the remarkable achievements of African Americans at the US Open.

Duval, 15, clinches first pro victory in Midland

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Victoria Duval dictated play with her forehand in her first pro win against Mashona Washington at the 2011 Dow Corning Tennis Classic, a $100,000 USTA Pro Circuit event taking place in Midland, Mich.

Brandon Jackson: A Thirst for Tennis

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In 1997, high school freshman Brandon Jackson was sitting on his couch when he came upon the US Open women’s final. That week Jackson decided to take up the game. He has never left.

Enter the 2011 Arthur Ashe Essay and Art Contest

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The Arthur Ashe Essay and Art Contest offers a chance for young players 18-and-under to apply what they have learned both on the court and in the classroom into the ultimate form of artistic expression.

Strode making his dreams a reality

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A shot is all Blake Strode has been asking for since deferring Harvard Law School to pursue a pro tennis career, and he's come a long way in making his dreams a reality, including winning the inaugural US Open National Playoffs.

USTA Serves partners with Usher's New Look Foundation

Usher and Kids on Court at the 2010 US Open

USTA Serves and the New Look Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by R&B superstar Usher, have entered into a three-year partnership designed to mentor youth to become global and community leaders.

Features

Today's stars

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James Blake and Venus and Serena Williams are some of the biggest names in tennis today, but there are also a number of other talented African-American players currently playing at the junior, collegiate and pro levels.

Honor roll

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Learn more about some of the great African-American players who helped pave the way for today's stars.

Inspiring accomplishments

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Although the list of competitors who have provided inspiration is a long one, there are a handful of individuals whose accomplishments stand out above all others.

Black history tennis trivia

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Who was the first black winner of the US Open? How many Grand Slam titles have Venus and Serena Williams won combined? Test your knowledge on these questions and more in our black history tennis trivia quiz.

African-American celebrities who play or watch tennis

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Some of the world's most popular stars of stage, screen, music and other sports are big tennis fans. Here are just a few of these well-known celebrities.

National Junior Tennis & Learning

Kennedy on the Rise

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Fourteen-year-old Sam Kennedy, a member of the Atlanta Youth Tennis Foundation’s National Junior Tennis and Learning Chapter, takes his education and tennis seriously.

2011 Arthur Ashe Essay & Art Contest

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The Arthur Ashe Essay & Art Contest is now available and open to all NJTL participants! Click here to go to the 2011 Arthur Ashe Essay & Art Contest page where you can download the entry forms and guide.

What is USTA/NJTL?

Founded in 1969 by Arthur Ashe, Charlie Pasarell, and Sheridan Snyder, the NJTL network is a nationwide group of community tennis organizations seeking to develop the character of young people through tennis and education.

NJTL: A Smart Investment

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Learn more about National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL), a nationwide network of community tennis organizations seeking to develop the character of young people through tennis and education.

ArthurAshe.org

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The Arthur Ashe official website provides a unique resource for understanding and promoting the legacy and values embodied in the life and work of Arthur Ashe as a conscience leader, humanitarian, educator and athlete.

Profiles

Arthur Ashe

The USTA celebrates the life of Arthur Ashe

Arthur Ashe was one of tennis’ greatest ambassadors both on and off the court. Learn more about Arthur Ashe, his success on the court and his accomplishments in life.

Althea Gibson

Undated and unlocated picture of US tennis player Althea Gibson returning a backhand. Gibson won the Roland Garros championships in 1956 and Wimbledon in 1957 and 1958. (Photo credit should read AFP/AFP/Getty Images)

Althea Gibson blazed a trail for tennis players -- Arthur Ashe, Leslie Allen, Zina Garrison, Venus and Serena Williams -- and inspired countless others in all walks of life.

Photos & Video

What Camp A.C.E. is all about!

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Camp A.C.E. (Achieving through Coaching & Education) was created to provide young players of ethnically diverse backgrounds an opportunity to improve their tennis skills in a camp environment with players of similar age and skills. The overnight residential camp is in its 13th year of existence. (Courtesy USTA Eastern)

USTA Serves partners with Usher

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Learn more about the partnership between USTA Serves, the USTA's philanthropic entity, and Usher's New Look Foundation, with interviews featuring USTA Serves President Mary Carillo and R&B superstar Usher at the 2010 US Open.

Ashe inducted into US Open Court of Champions

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Former President Bill Clinton, who who met Arthur Ashe in 1992 and posthumously awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, inducted the legend into the US Open Court of Champions at the 2009 US Open.

Photo Gallery: Players throughout history

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Check out USTA.com's Black History Month photo gallery, featuring tennis greats Althea Gibson, Arthur Ashe, James Blake, Venus and Serena Williams, as well as rising stars Evan King, Sloane Stephens, Gabrielle Andrews and more.

Did You Know...

Serena and Venus Williams have combined to win six US Open women’s singles titles as well as two US Open women’s doubles titles in 1999 and 2009.

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