US Open Family Day returns to Meridian, Miss., with increased funding
2026 US Open Family Day - From left: volunteer Amy Martin; Northeast Tennis Park Director of Tennis Pete Mazzella, Meridian Parks & Recreation Director Thomas Adams and Miss. State Rep. Greg Elliott; volunteers Alana Broughton, Semmes Ford, Toni Jackson, Kent Harris Sparrow.
MERIDIAN, Miss. - Northeast Tennis Park Director of Tennis Pete Mazzella brought tennis awareness to East Mississippi for the second straight year with grants from the USTA, USTA Southern and USTA Mississippi.
Mazella and the Meridian Community Tennis Association, led by President Toni Jackson, hosted the US Open Family Day Aug. 24 at the Northeast Tennis Park. Meridian is one of 10 sites nationwide to host this event this year. This year’s grants totaled $10,000, up from $4,000 last year.
2026 USTA Open Family Day: firefighters defeat police officers.
On-court action
One highlight was The Battle of the Badges, a Red Ball Tennis match between the Meridian police and the Meridian firefighters. Each department consisted of a four-man team. The first responders split sets and the firemen won by taking the tiebreak.
William Foreman of USTA Mississippi officiated the match.
On-court drills for all ages were broken into ages 4-6, ages 7-12, high school and beginner adult, led by members and players of the Meridian Community College tennis team. The fastest serve winner for the men was Yago Barambio, who clocked in at 104 mph and plays for Meridian Country Club. Jackson Grady came in second place, clocking in at 97 mph. For the women, Angela Kisiel of Meridian Country Club was first place with a 73 mph serve.
Nationally-ranked wheelchair player Scott Therell and his partner Robbie
Sullivan conducted a demonstration on wheelchair tennis. Therell and Sullivan brought extra wheelchair tennis chairs and many of the high school players gave it a try.
“Our event was fabulous,” Jackson said. “The turnout was amazing. I know we had over 400 attendees. The opening ceremony started with the Meridian High School JROTC’s presentation of colors. The four cadets marching today are also tennis players at Meridian High School. Alana Hall performed the National Anthem, which ended with a four-plane flyover of World War II bombers. The Director of Meridian Parks and Recreation Thomas Adams presented and read a proclamation declaring today US Open Family Day in Meridian.”
Excited about second event hosting
“We are pumped to host the US Open Family Day again,” said Mazella, who has been the director of tennis at Northeast since 2020. “We were kind of shocked when they asked us to host again. We were nominated locally but were told not to get our hopes up since we hosted last year and only 10 sites would host this year. I heard that they said Meridian ‘knocked it out of the park’ last year and deserved it again.”
“This is a fun experience and a way to meet people,” said Madilyn Smith, 18, and a senior tennis player at Newton County Academy, about 40 miles west of Meridian.
“Coach Pete (Mazzella) let me know about this event. He is my high school coach, and I take lessons from him. This is a great event. The police and fire departments are playing each other, we are having a mixer and lots of other things going on. It is a great way to bring the community together.”
Mayor Percy Bland has proclaimed August 23 US Open Family Day in Meridian. “I just want everyone to know that tennis is booming, it’s fun, it’s accessible, and it’s affordable for everyone at Northeast Park Tennis Center,” said Bland.
2026 USTA Open Family Day: costume contest.
Costume contest drew local tennis players
The event featured instructional clinics, live music, fastest serve contest, a cookout, face painting, snow cones, tattoos, free merch, a costume contest (dressed as a favorite tennis player), a mixer and tethered hot air balloon rides.
Chase Davidson, 24, who graduated from nearby West Lauderdale High School and is a volunteer at the US Open Tennis Day event this year, explained, “Once I got back home from going to college at Ole Miss, I reached out to Pete and starting playing in a league here at Northeast. I've just met so many friends, and I'm kind of in tennis family out here now.”
“Last year’s event had a huge impact on our tennis community throughout the year,” said Jackson. “We set up our family day event with a festival-like environment. Our event last year brought over 300 participants. First, many of the participants didn’t know we had such a beautiful park and premium tennis center. Our city has done an outstanding job with our public facility. I would say at least half of the participants had never picked up a racquet or experienced tennis in any capacity. Our numbers have increased significantly in social play because of US Open Family Day.
“We’ve opened a Tennis Pantry so parkgoers can grab a racquet and some balls and play tennis anytime. Because of the interest in US Open Family Day, we’ve picked up some funding so we can provide group lessons and equipment for young players who would not normally be able to afford. We’ve provided scholarships to high school players for clinics with Pete.”
The US Open began last Sunday with Fan Week, qualifying events and mixed doubles at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, N.Y. The year’s last Grand Slam is set to wrap up on Sept. 13.
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