Andrea Pérez Díaz, a 14-year-old tennis player from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, was selected to be part of the inaugural group of Net Generation Aces for embodying the youth tennis program’s character pillars: respect, responsibility, listening, effort, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

 

She was nominated for making a positive difference through her impactful initiative of donating rackets, bags, shoes, balls, accessories and training equipment to support the tennis program of the municipal courts of Lajas, located on the southwestern coast of Puerto Rico.

 

Andrea began playing tennis when she was six years old and now is an outstanding athlete from the Torrimar Tennis Club. She is a kind and charismatic girl that exhibits good behavior on and off the court, both with her opponents and her coaches. She credits tennis for teaching her about sportsmanship and respect and wants to inspire other kids through the sport. ADVERTISEMENT She is an active member of the Girls Scouts where she is also encouraged with confidence, character, leadership, and active citizenship.

 

The Net Generation Aces Program debuted at the 2019 US Open, where the 17 selected Net Generation Aces attended the event as part of a four-day VIP trip that included a suite experience at Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day and a working session with USTA senior management and professional players. They were able to provide feedback on current USTA initiatives and discussed ideas for future programming. They also had an opportunity to meet Net Generation ambassadors Venus Williams and Mike and Bob Bryan.

 

“We are honored to recognize these young leaders and athletes who are inspiring positive change in their local communities,” said Craig Morris, USTA’s Chief Executive of Community Tennis. “The USTA plans to work with the Net Generation Aces, to learn more about the impact tennis has on young players’ lives. We feel reaching young athletes through their peers is a powerful and effective way to continue growing the sport.”

 

The new Net Generation Aces Program marked the two-year anniversary of Net Generation, the USTA’s official youth tennis brand, which empowers and equips kids ages 5-18 to play tennis while providing resources to parents, coaches, and providers to help set new standards and drive participation across the country.

 

For more information on Net Generation and the Aces Program, visit netgeneration.com.