Game. Set. Community.
Emmanuel (Manny) Rosas first picked up a tennis racquet in middle school after a few other sports just didn’t seem to click.
“Basketball and soccer weren’t a great fit for me,” he said. “Then the tennis coach encouraged me to try tennis and I instantly fell in love with it.”
That feeling about tennis continued season after season for Rosas. He played through high school and college, and after relocating to Philadelphia as an adult in 2022, he reconnected with the sport by joining Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association (PLTA).
PLTA is a community-based, 501c3 LGBTQ+ tennis group. It aims to promote tennis within the LGBTQ+ community and its allies throughout Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley through a variety of tennis events and social functions.
“I didn’t have many people to play with after relocating to the Philadelphia area, and PLTA made it easy to connect with others like me,” Rosas said. “PLTA offered drills, league play, and most importantly, a welcoming community.”
Rosas continued to grow within the organization, and today, serves as the PLTA President. In his role, Rosas helps lead the organization in creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals. It’s a way to connect with the community while also playing a sport he genuinely loves.
“I love that tennis is both a great workout and a genuinely fun game,” he said. “I especially enjoy doubles because of how social it is. You’re constantly laughing and having a good time when playing with friends. More recently, I’ve appreciated how many amazing people I’ve met through tournaments and competitive matches. It’s always exciting to make new connections and grow friendships through the sport.”
PLTA has a number of key events coming up in summer 2025, including the Philadelphia Open, an annual event that brings together tennis players from around the East Coast. It’s a popular event — and one that Rosas hopes sparks additional playing opportunities for the rest of this year.
“One of my goals this year was to compete in more GLTA tournaments across the East Coast, and I’m proud to say I’m on track to achieve it,” he said. “ I’ll be playing in the Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. GLTA tournaments this year. Beyond that, I’m always looking to improve and grow as a player.”
For his work with PLTA, Rosas credits the organization’s relationship with USTA Middle States (USTA MS) and his collaboration with Renée Bridges, the USTA MS Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
“Because of our partnership with USTA MS, we’re able to host our annual Philadelphia Open tournament, participate in Pride events, and continue growing our programs in the region,” he said.
To learn more about PLTA, click here.
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