USTA Diversity & Inclusion

Tennis is for everyone.

 

That fact is integral to the USTA mission of growing tennis to inspire healthier people and communities everywhere and has been a formal area of focus since 2004. Our role is to grow the game so that more Americans can enjoy the life-changing benefits that come from playing the world’s healthiest sport. 

 

It also informs our Diversity and Inclusion strategy to grow and promote tennis to new generations of fans, players, coaches, volunteers and team members in ways that reflect our values, uplift communities, and make tennis a space where everyone feels seen, celebrated and welcome to participate. 

 

To ensure we deliver on our goals, we have organized our work into three strategic pillars — People, Communities and Partners — that align with our business priority to get 35 million Americans playing tennis by 2035. 

Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision

 

To be the sport, employer and partner of choice for people of all backgrounds.

Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Mission

 

Our strategic mission is to grow and diversify tennis by making our organization and sport more relevant, accessible and welcoming to all — creating a level playing field where people from all backgrounds can thrive.

Anti-Discrimination Statement

 

USTA Bylaw 10 – Discrimination Prohibited. Membership and all rights of participation in the Corporation, including all tournaments and other events conducted or sanctioned by it, shall be open to athletes, coaches, trainers, administrators, officials and all other persons without regard to race, age, creed, sexual orientation, color, national origin or sex. Nonetheless, participation in divisions of tournaments and other events may be restricted on the basis of sex or age.

People

 

Reflective of our values of Community, Inclusion and Wellness, the USTA is made up of staff and volunteers from all backgrounds, working together to ensure every individual and community has the opportunity to reap the physical, mental and social benefits of tennis. 

 

Through inclusive recruitment, development, retention and engagement efforts, the USTA works to shape a culture that attracts the most talented people from all walks of life, ensures they have the tools they need to succeed, and inspires them to stay and dedicate their unique talents to growing the game.

Recruitment and Retention

 

We strive to attract the best talent and bring them into a welcoming workplace where everyone can not only be themselves, but the best version of themselves. Where everyone has a voice and can make an impact. Where we all play an active role in growing our sport and making the life-changing benefits of tennis available to every individual and community across America. We’re committed to the long game of ensuring everyone is seen, heard and valued in the process.

Business Resource Groups (BRGs)

 

Our BRGs are team member-led groups that play a critical role in shaping a culture of inclusion and belonging across our organization. They are designed to inspire meaningful conversations and celebrations while providing a safe space for open dialogue on important issues. Our BRGs are open to everyone, whether you identify as a member of the community or an ally.

Internship Program

 

Our Summer Internship Program is open to all rising juniors and seniors enrolled in an undergraduate program, as well as recent grads and graduate-level students. With positions available at one of our five National office locations, the program has helped to build a diverse pipeline of talent since its inception in 2013. Many interns have gone on to become full-time USTA team members and seasonal staff supporting the US Open. Learn more about our internship program.

Leading with Inclusion

 

As we continue to create a culture of belonging, our goal is to build inclusive leadership as a skill set across the organization, at every level. This requires an ongoing approach to learning that is delivered through facilitated training, self-led learning, peer and group discussions and one-on-one coaching.

Communities

 

Communities are the fabric of our country. As the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the US, we’re always pursuing new ways to make our sport more inclusive and accessible in all of them.

 

Our efforts reflect and support the USTA’s ‘35x35’ growth strategy to reach 35 million tennis players by 2035 by: 

  • Increasing participation among players from underrepresented communities 

  • Improving the quality and quantity of coaches from diverse backgrounds 

  • Expanding the accessibility of tennis courts for everyone 

 

While the USTA has made great strides in making tennis more open and accessible for all, there is still more work to do to ensure we create an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome in our sport.

Community Engagement

 

Through programming and events, we create opportunities to bring the power of tennis to communities across the country. We curate unique experiences — on and off the court — that enable players and fans to connect and celebrate different cultures, interests and passions, reinforcing that tennis is inclusive, healthy, social and fun.

Section Engagement

 

Our 17 Sections are empowered to lead grassroots efforts to extend the game of tennis to all corners of our communities, ensuring everyone feels included and a sense of belonging on the court. The USTA provides grant opportunities to each Section to support programming that will grow tennis in all communities across the country.

Inclusive Coaching

 

To ensure every player receives the quality instruction they need, we support efforts to build a diverse coaching pipeline. We host coaching workshops and develop educational content that assists in the growth and development of coaches from all backgrounds, providing the tools and resources necessary for them to be successful and help their players thrive.

Community Grants

 

The expense of tennis is consistently identified as an obstacle to participating in the sport. To help remove this barrier to inclusion, the USTA offers a variety of grants and scholarships for players, organizations and facilities to help increase accessibility and involvement. Learn more about these grants.

Be Open

 

Every year, the USTA welcomes millions of fans to watch top athletes compete on tennis’ biggest stage at the US Open tennis championships. 

 

Be Open is the US Open’s purpose-driven platform dedicated to championing inclusion on a global stage by uniting fans and players through the power of tennis. 

 

We launched Be Open in 2020 as a campaign designed to amplify the voices of underrepresented communities; emphasize tennis' commitment to inclusion and respect; and encourage fans around the world to embrace these ideals. 

Today, Be Open has evolved into a platform dedicated to creating meaningful experiences that build awareness and connection through tennis. As part of that effort, the US Open hosts a series of events and activations, ranging from cultural performances and on-court experiences that take place during Fan Week, to signature events that happen during the Main Draw. We also establish best practices — from services for people with sensory challenges, to allergy-friendly food options — to ensure accessibility and inclusion are integrated across all aspects of our tournament operations. 

 

Be Open is our rallying cry to welcome everyone to experience the transformative power of tennis during our crown-jewel tournament. With the whole world watching, Be Open fuels our commitment to continuing the legacy of our sport by inspiring a personal connection that the next generation can bring home and carry forward. Learn more about Be Open. 

Partners

 

Strategic partners play an important role in connecting the USTA with the People and Communities that will enable us to introduce tennis to a new generation of players, coaches, fans and team members. We seek to build mutually beneficial relationships with organizations that share our values and support our efforts to grow the game and share the life-changing benefits of tennis with people from all backgrounds.

Partners and Suppliers

 

Our partners range from tennis industry associations that serve underrepresented populations to community organizations that celebrate and advocate on behalf of marginalized groups. 

 

We also have established a policy to ensure that opportunities to participate in the bidding and procurement process for our organization include small businesses and diverse-owned businesses. This broadens our access to the widest selection of qualified supplier candidates, increases competition in the vendor selection process, and enables us to make a positive impact on all communities in which we live, work and play.