National

2026 NAITA National Championships celebrated 50 years of tennis, community and heritage

Macy Alcido | June 01, 2026

Over Memorial Day weekend, members of more than 20 Native American tribes gathered in Tulsa, Okla., for the North American Indian Tennis Association (NAITA) National Championships. The event, hosted at the Case Tennis Center in LaFortune Park, holds a special place in the hearts of the Native American community; and with this year marking 50 years, the tournament felt even more magical.

Both a cultural gathering and tennis tournament, the NAITA National Championships brought together more than 100 athletes for singles, doubles and mixed doubles competition. Players of all ages got the opportunity to pick up a racquet, with a dedicated youth clinic sparking multigenerational engagement. 

 

Jerry Bales, longtime player and attendee who has been affiliated with NAITA since 1988, credited the event’s longevity to the determination of the Native American community. He praised the tournament’s ability to bring people of all ages together, and explained how impactful it can be for young players. 

 

“All it takes is one person or group to take interest and carry it,” Bales said. “I do believe in what we do, and it primarily is for our children. It gives them a chance to possibly discover their heritage, and then their children can do that.”

NAITA National Tennis Tournament matches at LaFortune Park Tennis Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Photo by Gerald ​Leong ​Wing ​Yi/​USTA.

Since 1976, NAITA has served as a pillar in displaying Native American tennis excellence. As the event marks its historic golden anniversary, the 2026 Championships in Tulsa emphasized the city’s reputation as a leading tennis destination, typically garnering strong participation and connection across tribal communities. 

 

“It demonstrates that tribal communities are resilient,” said tournament director Zechariah Harjo. 

“The fact that we've been at this now for five decades, I don't think there's any other tribal-affiliated sports association that’s been hosting an annual tournament with the participation and turnout that NAITA has had.” 

 

After a weekend of fun and competition, the following winners took home top prizes: 

 

NAITA Junior National Championship Winners

Boys' 14s: Warner Collins

Boys' 18s: Max MacRae

Girls' 14s: Georgia Remy

Girls' 18s: Danielle Symonds

 

NAITA Adult National Championship Winners 

Men's Singles NTRP 2.5-3.5: Bennett Rodgers

Men’s Singles NTRP 4.0-5.5: Braden Young

Men's 55 & Over Singles: Steven Henry

Men's Doubles NTRP 2.5-3.5: Rodgers/Rodgers

Men’s Doubles NTRP 4.0-5.5: Young/Cumpton

Men's 55 & Over Doubles: Henry/Williams

 

Women's Singles NTRP 2.5-3.5: Danielle Symonds

Women’s Singles NTRP 4.0-5.5: Tayra Ward

Women's 55 & Over Singles: Marla Kingsland

Women's Doubles NTRP 2.5-3.5: Gilliam/Symonds

Women’s Doubles NTRP 4-5.5: Remy/Lusnak

Women's 55 & Over Doubles: Wix/Barr

 

Mixed Doubles NTRP 2.5-3.5: Baker/Wisner-Lee

Mixed Doubles NTRP 4.0-5.5: Gilliam/Gilliam

Coed Doubles NTRP 2.5-5.5: Penn/Penn

Skip Advertisement

Advertisement

Related Articles

  • Visit the USTA Innovation Challenge page
    USTA Innovation Challenge
    June 17, 2026
    The inaugural USTA Connect Innovation Challenge is a nationwide open-call for startups and engineers to submit applications, products or other tech solutions that have a direct and positive impact on the game of tennis for a $10,000 winner’s prize and potential further integration into the USTA and tennis technology ecosystem. Read More
  • Visit the 2026 HBCU Springcoming page
    2026 HBCU Springcoming
    June 08, 2026
    Six scholarship winners were celebrated at HBCU Springcoming festival events in Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York. Read More
  • Visit the TVS supports South Bend page
    TVS supports South Bend
    June 03, 2026
    Junior player David Filer’s battle with cancer inspired his South Bend community to transform a new tennis center in his honor. Read More