Raleigh’s Paula Hale named USTA Champion of Equality

Southern Tennis Hall of Fame inductee Paula Hale was honored as a 2024 USTA Champion of Equality during the US Open.

Hale, of Raleigh, N.C., was selected to represent the Southern Section, the largest of the USTA’s 17 sections. Hale is a former President & CEO of the section.

The Champions of Equality was first awarded in 2023, where Billie Jean King received a Lifetime Achievement Award and Venus Williams was the first US Open Billie Jean King Champion of Equality Award recipient. This event serves as a tribute to female leaders from all 17 USTA Sections who exemplify the spirit of a Champion of Equality through their unwavering dedication and commitment to advancing the cause. USTA Southern Vice President Beth Hopkins was recognized last year. 

Hale reflected on the award, saying, “It was an Incredible honor to be recognized by the USTA Southern Board of Directors and a great privilege to share it with so many other women who are making a difference in the tennis community. The one thing I believe in is that those of us who have a leadership role in tennis make sure to hold that door open for other women to have the same opportunity.”

Upon her induction into the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame in 2023, it was noted that Hale had received 12 major awards. Here is the list of the most prominent: USTA Barbara Williams Leadership Award, USTA Major Wingfield Historical Society, USTA Southern Section Jacobs Bowl, USTA Southern Charlie Morris Service Award, USTA Southern President’s Award, USTA North Carolina President’s Award, North Carolina Order of the Long Pine (highest honor for North Carolina citizens) and the Racquet Sports Industry magazine Champions of Tennis - Tennis Advocate of the Year. She was inducted into the North Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame in 2018.

In 2023 USTA Southern President Brett Schwartz wrote in his nomination of Hale, “Paula is of the highest character as evidenced by the way she has conducted herself during the breadth of her award-winning tennis service career. … In summary, Paula has been a driving force at every level of the USTA and has been a champion for grassroots tennis which is where tennis is grown. I can’t imagine anyone more deserving of entry into the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame.”