Texan Kaliski Assists Military Appreciation Day at US Open

NEW YORK — When USTA Texas staffer Kat Kaliski helped coordinate this year’s Lt. Joe Hunt Military Appreciation Day at the US Open, she wasn’t just taking part in another tennis event. For her, the day reflected a piece of her own story.

“I love working with the military community,” Kaliski said. “It was a privilege to connect with both the active-duty musicians and West Point Cadets. Despite the differences in our experiences, we share a deep sense of camaraderie, and I felt an immediate kinship with them.”

Kaliski, who served in the military herself prior to becoming a USTA Texas employee in 2022, knows the power of being recognized and included. “I know how much it would have meant to me to have an experience like this when I was serving,” she said. “Being able to provide that for others—whether it was attending the US Open or participating in the event—is incredibly rewarding. These are my people, and I genuinely enjoy serving them.”

The annual celebration honors Lt. Joe Hunt, the only player to win the U.S. national boys’, junior, collegiate and men’s singles titles. In 1943, while the world was at war, Hunt became U.S. Nationals champion and the No. 1 player in the world, all while serving his country in World War II.

“Lt. Hunt masterfully balanced the worlds of professional tennis and military duty simultaneously, a feat that is difficult to imagine,” Kaliski said. “His story is why it’s so fitting to honor his legacy at the Open.”

Carrying out the event required careful planning and steady improvisation. Military personnel changes made it difficult to find contacts, and navigating a busy Grand Slam tournament added another layer of complexity.

“Installations are revolving doors,” Kaliski explained. “Just when you find the right person, they might get reassigned. You have to keep knocking on doors and building relationships.”

On the ground in New York, Kaliski’s main responsibility was escorting. Stationed at the President’s Gate, she helped credential groups and guided them through the crowds. She also managed the military band, ensuring soldiers with instruments and uniforms were in the right place on time—even if it meant persuading checkpoint staff who weren’t always aware of the day’s unique arrangements.

“It takes several of us,” she said. “Once everyone was inside the gates, it was nonstop—moving the band to dressing rooms, guiding guest speakers to suites, and taking coin tossers to meet producers and officials. Behind the scenes felt hectic, but for the audience, everything went off without a hitch.”

For Kaliski, the payoff came in watching others experience moments she wished she had once had.

“The highlight for me was seeing the West Point tennis players’ reaction to the coin toss on Armstrong Stadium’s center court,” she said. “Standing alongside professional players is electrifying. It’s something they’ll never forget.”

Even for veterans simply walking the grounds, the day left a lasting mark. But Kaliski said the coin toss was the most impactful of all.

“In that brief moment, we gave them a unique opportunity while also showing the lifelong benefits of tennis,” she said. “Maybe we even inspired some future players.”

For Kaliski, it was a chance to bridge her two worlds—military and tennis—and give back to a community that still feels like home.

USTA Texas works year-round to connect veterans and active-duty service members with the game of tennis. The organization partners with Veterans Associations and community programs to offer adaptive tennis, host clinics, and create opportunities for military families to get on the court. By providing both recreational and competitive play, USTA Texas emphasizes tennis as a lifelong sport that supports physical health, mental wellness, and community connection for those who have served.