Black History Month Feature: Tera Jordan

In celebration of Black History Month taking place in February, USTA Iowa is highlighting tennis player Tera Jordan.

Since tennis was one of the safest sports to play during the Covid pandemic, Tera Jordan decided to get outside and sharpen up her tennis skills in 2020. She enjoyed it so much she has been playing ever since, both outdoors and at the Genesis Health Club in Des Moines.

“I enjoy the countless ways that tennis challenges me, physically and mentally,” Jordan said. “There are always things to focus on to improve my game. I also appreciate the relationships I have developed with others in the tennis community at Genesis and across the metro area.”

Originally from Indiana, Jordan now lives in Iowa where she is an assistant provost at Iowa State University. She said annual remembrances like Black History Month serve as a chance to collectively pause, reflect on the past, commemorate the present and envision the future.

“The yearly recognition is an important ritual, just like observing birthdays and anniversaries, to pay tribute to people, appreciate journeys and set goals and aspirations,” she said.

Jordan hopes Black History Month educates those in the tennis community about the contributions of Black tennis players from the past and the present.

“It is a chance to honor the courage and perseverance of Althea Gibson, who was barred from competing until 1950,” Jordan said. “It is a time to underscore the significance of a junior development program that embraced African American youth and resulted in Program Director Dr. Walter Johnson seeing talent in a youth participant named Arthur Ashe.

“This history laid the foundation for those we cheer on today—Coco Gauff, Chris Eubanks, Ben Shelton, Sloane Stephens and Frances Tiafoe.”