Celebrating the USTA Missouri Valley connections at the 2026 US Open

2026 USTA Outstanding Facilities Award Recipients

Each year the USTA recognizes facilities throughout the country to encourage increasingly high standards for construction and/or renovation. There are six categories of facility awards and specific criteria that must be met for a facility to be considered. Each year the Facility Awards Committee meets to 

USTA Missouri Valley will have receipients but you'll have to check back on/after August 31st for the official announcement!

Champion of Equality

As in previous years, women across the USTA's 17 Sections who have been leaders and trailblazers in advancing inclusion and equality will be recognized.

The selected nominee will be recognized during the Champions of Equality event at the 2026 US Open, which will include a cocktail reception and panel discussion featuring this year’s US Open Billie Jean King Champion of Equality Award honoree.

Stay tuned to find out who USTA Missouri Valley's 2026 Champion of Equality is on/after September 10th.

35 x 35 President’s Impact Award

This award recognizes and thanks individuals and organizations who contribute significantly to the growth of tennis nationally, sectionally or in their communities.

We have 19 recipients in USTA Missouri Valley with many who will be in attendance during Fan Week!

On/Off Court Support

Kids on Court

City of Wichita (Riverside Tennis Center) was selected for a Net Generation on-court activity at the US Open. Twelve players, ages 8-13, along with two coaches (Brent Fields and Alex Lee) will be in attendance.

They will take the court 10 minutes prior to the opening match and participate in a demonstration using red balls, youth size racquets, and pop-up nets.

This will take place on August 30th and one of the kids will be doing a coin toss.

On Court Support

Our very own Laura Puryear and Marissa Moment Brown will be helping out with Arthur Ashe Kids Day on August 23rd. This is the largest grassroots tennis event and premier celebration of 1968 US Open Champion Arthur Ashe's enduring legacy. During this year's Kids' Day, members of the Savannah Bannas will also take over Arthur Ashe Satdium for the action-packed Stadium Show.

Rebecca Falkner Axelrod will also be working the US Open this year providing vital support for adapted operations.

Staff and Volunteers attending meetings

USTA Leadership Meetings

USTA Missouri Valley CEO & Executive Director Mary Buschmann will be in attendance at the leadership meetings taking place.

2026 Coaches Open

USTA Missouri Valley will have lots of representation at the 2026 Coaches Open including Laura Puryear, Lindsay Hall, Sam Owoo-Battlet, Alywn Mushonga and Rebecca Falkner Axelrod.

The inaugural event will take place August 25-27. Those attending will experience powerhouse keynote speakers inlcuding Billie Jean King, elite workshops, and exclusive networking, plus on-court demos at the iconic Louis Armstrong Stadium.

CTA L.E.A.D. Program

This program focuses on building Community Tennis Association (CTA) leaders by covering nonprofit leadership, innovation, collaboration, and networking.

The program included five virtual sessions and will also include an in-person Capstone experience in New York City during Arthur Ashe Kids' Day.

Marla Frantum of Adel, Iowa, with the Central Iowa Tennis Alliance will be a presenter. Marla was selected for the National CTA L.E.A.D. (Leadership, Empowerment, and Development) program. Also attending the L.E.A.D. program is Jewels Martinez from First Serve OKC.