USTA and Special Olympics celebrate partnership at 2026 USTA IDD National Championships
After a breezy day of singles play at the 2026 USTA National IDD Championships in Orlando, Fla., members of the USTA and Special Olympics came together for a ceremonial first serve—representing a big swing toward expanding opportunities for athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
The ceremony, held at the USTA National Campus, commemorated the launch of a multi-year agreement between the USTA and Special Olympics.
Through the partnership, both parties plan to collaborate on joint initiatives, from localized programming and adapted tournament rules, to the long-term personal and professional development of neurodiverse athletes.
“Our partnership with the Special Olympics highlights the complementary nature of our organizations, which both work to elevate and expand adapted tennis,” said Evan Enquist, the director of Adapted Tennis at the USTA. “And how fitting that we are celebrating that union at the USTA National IDD Championships?”
Tournament athletes and supporters cheered as two IDD tennis players came together on court to play out a point, a poignant metaphor that wasn’t lost on the crowd.
Two IDD athletes participate in 'first serve' to commemorate partnership between the USTA and Special Olympics. Photo by Julio Aguilar/Turtlebox Pictures.
“Special Olympics is really strong with providing education and instruction around working with people with intellectual disabilities and providing that framework. We also do the same with Unified Champion Schools, Unified sports coaching and Special Olympics’ athletes,” said Craig Pippert, director of sports development at Special Olympics North America. “What we don't do well is tennis, and that's not a bad thing per se, but we're not the experts like the USTA is.
“The USTA brings that credibility, that professional instruction. Look at the venue that we're at here. The outstanding venues, certified officials—that helps us to be able to bring that quality from the regional level to the national level, to the state level, to the local level.”
The 2026 USTA National IDD Championships Unified Doubles competition begins today. Keep track of the scores and results here.
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