Rachel Fair and Tony Pack: Building a legacy for future generations

As we celebrate Black History Month this February, we honor tennis leaders who are spreading the sport far and wide, making a positive impact on youth and adults at every level. Meet Cincinnati Tennis Hall of Fame members Rachel Fair and Tony Pack, who continue to build their legacy with the next generation through the Inner-City Tennis Project.

In Cincinnati, some of tennis’ greatest athletes come to play on one of the world's biggest stages, but not all tennis matches are played for trophies. Some are simply played for opportunity.

For decades, the Inner-City Tennis Project (ICTP) has been changing the trajectory of young lives across the city. Founded in 1986, the nonprofit is built on the belief that talent should never be limited by income.

Behind this powerful mission are founders Rachel Fair and Tony Pack, whose legacies and love for the next generation go far beyond the tennis courts.

With decades of service with the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, the pair realized they could help close the gap between recreational players and competitive athletes. Many talented athletes were on trajectories toward greater success, but lacked access to the right opportunities. Therefore, they were phased out, not because of a lack of skill, but because of income barriers.

On a mission to address this challenge for Cincinnati youth, Fair and Pack rallied a community of consistent coaches, provided equipment and ensured access to courts. They removed major barriers and replaced them with opportunities and people who believe in these athletes. To this day, ICTP continues to offer free court time and year-round programming to give young players a real chance at tennis. Programming details are available here.

At ICTP, you are not just experiencing tennis; you are becoming part of a community that wants to shape you into the best version of yourself. For the founders, it is not just about giving kids the chance to play tennis, but about shaping these players into stand-up citizens who demonstrate respect, honesty and discipline not just on the court, but also in the classroom. Being part of ICTP has positively affected generations by simply knowing there are people who believe in them.

As the organization continues to grow and develop more players, it is honored to be led by Executive Director and Head Coach Ghassan Al-Ansi, the Davis Cup captain for Yemen. He brings experience, competitive insight and intentional leadership to ICTP. He believes deeply in the mission because he understands what it is like to pursue tennis when it is not always the easiest path. He believes in Fair and Pack's mission and is passionate about seeing it through.

The organization thrives on its commitment to giving back to the community. Rachel Fair and Tony Pack are not defined solely by their own legacies, but by the many young people who have gone on to become strong players and, more importantly, strong individuals in Cincinnati thanks to their commitment.