Proclamations, grants, 97 events fuel National Tennis Month in USTA Missouri Valley
May was National Tennis Month, and the USTA Missouri Valley celebrated the occasion with nearly 100 local tennis events occurring throughout the section for individuals to join the festivities. Watch a recap of the action-packed month here.
National Tennis Month grants assisted with some of the May programming efforts, and proclamations were declared at the city and state levels promoting the sport.
The benefits of the world’s healthiest sport were on full display nationwide during Hit to Be Fit weekend on May 15-17, which featured Red Ball Tennis and Cardio Tennis. Participants got their heart rates up with fast-paced, fitness-oriented games and drills.
While National Tennis Month has wrapped up, opportunities continue this summer and beyond for players of all ages and abilities to hit the courts in their local communities. Individuals can check out this page for helpful resources and programming opportunities to plan their play.
Momentum Through May
Prior to National Tennis Month kicking off, promotional efforts were well underway with some proclamations received in April. A total of 17 proclamations were made this year within the USTA Missouri Valley, including state proclamations in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma.
City proclamations helped spread the word locally about National Tennis Month, with executive directors Rebecca Falkner Axelrod (USTA Heart of America) and David Minihan (USTA Oklahoma) leading those efforts. View the proclamations that were received and presented by clicking here.
Sixteen National Tennis Month grants were awarded by the USTA Missouri Valley in 2026. These grants aided organizations in promoting and running local events as they aimed to increase tennis participation in their communities. Learn more about USTA grant offerings here.
A total of 17 proclamations declaring May as National Tennis Month were made within the USTA Missouri Valley this year, including a Kansas state proclamation.
An event put on by the East St. Louis Community Tennis Association provided tennis racquets and equipment to students.
Adults took their swings at Level 4 Open tournaments this May with several more tourneys on the docket for 2026.
A free event celebrating National Tennis Month and Cinco de Mayo in Edmond, Okla., was geared toward beginner adults.
The 50th anniversary of the North American Indian Tennis Association Championships was May 23-25 in Tulsa.
- A total of 17 proclamations declaring May as National Tennis Month were made within the USTA Missouri Valley this year, including a Kansas state proclamation.
- An event put on by the East St. Louis Community Tennis Association provided tennis racquets and equipment to students.
- Adults took their swings at Level 4 Open tournaments this May with several more tourneys on the docket for 2026.
- A free event celebrating National Tennis Month and Cinco de Mayo in Edmond, Okla., was geared toward beginner adults.
- The 50th anniversary of the North American Indian Tennis Association Championships was May 23-25 in Tulsa.
A total of 97 tennis events took place during the action-packed month, with the complete list available on this page. Section-level adult tournaments kicked off for 2026 with a trio of Level 4 Open tourneys occurring in May.
Junior tournaments, Junior Team Tennis events, USTA League District Championships, Red Ball Tennis social play and community get-togethers were just some of the many tennis offerings this month.
Of particular note, the 50th anniversary of the North American Indian Tennis Association Championships took place May 23-25 in Tulsa. More than 20 Native American tribes were represented among the 100-plus participants. Fox 23 Tulsa covered the event with this video and article.
The year 2026 also marks the 50th anniversary of wheelchair tennis, and clinics continued in pockets throughout the section during the milestone year for the sport. Tournaments, camps, clinics and leagues are coming up, with wheelchair tennis opportunities here.
Professional tennis was in the spotlight, as the first of 11 USTA Pro Circuit tournaments slated for 2026 within the section was held. The 2026 Wichita Tennis Open women’s tournament ran May 24-31, with some of tennis’ rising stars from around the globe competing.
The Wichita Tennis Open, as well as National Tennis Month, was promoted by Tournament Director Nick Taylor in eye-catching fashion. Taylor used a tennis racquet to hit a baseball over home plate before a Wichita State University Shockers baseball game. The unique “first pitch” received local media coverage and can be viewed here.
Play past May by viewing this page of tennis opportunities and resources.
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