A day with Coach Lee at the inaugural Coaches Open presented by USTA Coaching

As we celebrate Coaches Appreciation Month, we asked Leonora King, also known as Coach Lee to recap her experience at the inaugural Coaches Open presented by USTA Coaching, which coincided with the 2026 US Open. Coach Lee is a longtime Detroit tennis leader who has dedicated her career to creating opportunities for young people through the People for Palmer Park Tennis Academy.

It is an honor to share my experience at the Coaches Open in New York City. I recently joined the USTA Coaching network, and that is how I learned about the conference. When I saw that my tennis idol, Billie Jean King, would be a featured speaker, I knew I had to go.

In 2020, our program, the People for Palmer Park Tennis Academy, was named Community Tennis Association of the Year, and Billie Jean King presented the award to me. Because of COVID-19, the ceremony took place over Zoom instead of at the annual USTA conference in Orlando. I was thrilled to receive the award, but I still hoped to meet her in person one day. The Coaches Open gave me that chance.

I also made a new friend and conference buddy, Zoy Brown, who is in charge of NJTLs and Grants for USTA Midwest. Zoy invited me to the NJTL Essay Contest winners’ luncheon at the Yale Club. Meeting the young winners from sections across the country was a highlight of my trip. Learning about their accomplishments reminded me why I love coaching; it gives me the opportunity to help young people grow, gain confidence and discover what they can achieve. Zoy and I also had a wonderful time taking photos together in the elegant club.