USTA New England Inducts Hall of Fame Class of 2026

NEWPORT, RI - The United States Tennis Association of New England inducted its 2026 Hall of Fame Class on Sunday, June 8, in a ceremony at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, RI. 

Standout players, June Ferestien and Jeff Landau, along with longtime contributor and advocate, Peter Francesconi, received the ultimate honor in New England tennis, joining an exclusive group of just 177 individuals recognized for their lasting impact on the sport.  

Paul Sullivan, inductee into the Class of 1994, was honored posthumously as the Gardner Ward Chase Memorial Award winner for his lifetime contribution to New England tennis. His five children accepted the award in his honor. 

Bill Mountford, Director of Tennis at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, served as the ceremony’s emcee and shared some personal remarks about the guests of honor.  

Friends, family, teammates and students gathered from across the country to support these accomplished figures in New England tennis, all of whom are still active or involved in the game today. 

Hall of Fame Class of 2026

June Ferestien, of Newton, MA, was presented by longtime coach and friend, Laury Hammel. 

Ferestien was a standout junior, high school and college player before competing on the WTA Tour. She achieved a career high ranking of No. 81 in the world including wins over top players including Diane Fromholtz, Zina Garrison, Andrea Leand and Lisa Bonder. 

“This is a culmination of decades of hard work. To be part of the Hall of Fame community is incredibly special to me, and to reconnect and reflect on what tennis meant in my life, and to have it all happen here in this most historic place is amazing,” Ferestien said.

“My life as an adult has everything to do with who I was as a tennis player. Every ounce of me comes from the practice and preparation, discipline, training and the regiment of being a tennis player,” she added. “This is nothing I ever expected, to stand side by side next to great champions, not just on the court but off the court. It’s reminded me how important the sport is and has reconnected me with people I’ve lost touch with, and it’s almost like a reinvigoration of tennis. I feel so humbled and honored.”

Peter Francesconi, of Woodbury, CT, was presented by his lifelong friend and industry colleague, Kirk Anderson. 

Francesconi is a respected tennis writer, contributor and advocate, working as the longtime editor for Racquet Sports Industry Magazine. He founded the Tennis Industry United newsletter, which reaches approximately 100,000 readers globally and also serves as the chair of the USTA National Advocacy Committee, among other volunteer efforts.

“It’s thrilling to be honored. I’m very happy to have served and continue to serve the industry. This is a great sport, a great industry to be in, and anything I can do to help others enjoy it, I’ll do,” Francesconi said. 

He added, “[Tennis is] everything. It’s my social network, my friends, my colleagues, it leads to so many good things, and I’m just glad to be able to spread the word as best I can. The Hall of Fame is a bunch of great inductees, past and present. Tennis brings out the best in people, and people bring out the best in tennis.”

Jeff Landau, of Ridgefield, CT, and currently Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, was presented by lifelong friend and doubles partner, Paul Gagliardi.

Landau is an accomplished player, winning high school state championships and earning national junior rankings. He won the 1994 National Amateur Singles Championship while at Wake Forest and reached a professional ATP ranking of 1,325.

“To be honored amongst the legends in New England is incredible, and to have it here in Newport makes it extra special. It’s a day I’ll never forget for the rest of my life,” Landau said. “Every job I’ve had has been within tennis, the majority of my friends are from tennis, I met my wife from tennis. It’s really been my life.”

To view photos from the induction ceremony, see our gallery here. 

The USTA New England Hall of Fame exists to recognize and honor New England tennis players and non-players whose achievements or volunteer contributions in tennis-related activities have been outstanding over a significant period of time. 

Nominations are open for the Hall of Fame Class of 2027. To learn more about the Hall of Fame and to nominate, click here.