Looking back at Jack and Jill of America's tennis fun at US Open's Arthur Ashe Kids' Day

Last May, the USTA launched a partnership with national non-profit Jack and Jill of America to provide tennis clinics to its members across the country. Expanding the existing relationship between the two organizations, this joint effort aims to grow the game among diverse current and future generations.

At the 2022 US Open, the USTA invited Jack & Jill members to Arthur Ashe Kids' Day for a day of tennis fun at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

"To have an event like this where they see people who look like them playing tennis is just so incredibly important," said the mother of two clinic participants. "Not only to get out and be active, but to see other kids like them playing tennis."

Jack and Jill of America, which began in 1938 and has grown to more than 250 chapters nationwide, aims to provide social, cultural and educational opportunities for African American youth.

Just before the US Open, during the organization's 45th national convention, Jack & Jill teens from across the nation participated in a Build-A-Bike project for Boys & Girls Clubs of America kids at the USTA National Campus in Orlando—another example of the collaboration between Jack & Jill and the USTA.

When the deepened relationship was announced in May, USTA Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Marisa Grimes discussed the importance of the new initiative.

“Tennis participation has boomed the past two years with more players hitting the courts to stay physically, mentally and socially active," she said. "At the USTA, we want to ensure the sport of tennis reflects the diversity of the communities around us, and we are looking forward to welcoming current and future generations of Jack & Jill players into our sport.”