A few days ago (July 22-28), the USTA National Campus in Orlando hosted the annual American Tennis Association National Championships.
A cornerstone event in the Black tennis community, the tournament drew hundreds of players of all ages, backgrounds, and ethnicities, all celebrating the rich history and promising future of the American Tennis Association (ATA).
Founded on November 30, 1916, by African American businesspeople, college professors, and physicians, the ATA directly responded to the USTA’s prohibition against Black players. The founders, including Dr. Harry S. McCard, Dr. William H. Wright, Dr. B.M. Rhetta, Ralph Cook, Henry Freeman, and Tally Holmes, aimed to build the infrastructure for Black tennis tournaments, unite Black players and fans, and promote the game within African American communities.
Photo courtesy tennis.com
The inaugural ATA National Championships were held in August 1917 at Druid Hill Park in Baltimore, featuring men’s singles, women’s singles, and men’s doubles events. Early tournaments showcased prominent Black players such as Margaret Peters, Roumania Peters, James Trouman, and Emanuel McDuffie. A notable match in the 1940s between Don Budge and Jimmie McDaniel, held in Harlem, symbolized a breakthrough in racial barriers within the sport.
The ATA has been instrumental in integrating tennis in the United States. Efforts by ATA officials like Dr. Robert Walter Johnson, Dr. Hubert Eaton, and Bertram Baker led to Althea Gibson becoming the first Black player to compete in the U.S. National Championship at Forest Hills in 1950. Gibson’s success paved the way for future Black tennis stars, including Arthur Ashe, whose career contributions are legendary.
Today, the ATA continues its mission, supporting over 4,700 lifetime members and hosting tournaments with around 95,000 participants. The organization provides opportunities for healthy competition through regional, local, and national tournaments, particularly in underserved communities. These events often lead to college scholarships and rewarding careers for many junior players.
Player development is a core focus of the ATA, leveling the playing field for minority youth and creating pathways to collegiate and professional tennis. Strong partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) further this mission, enhancing collegiate competition and educating the community about opportunities at these institutions.
Through virtual events, educational initiatives extend beyond the court, providing resources for players, coaches, and tennis enthusiasts. The ATA also emphasizes health and wellness, recognizing the benefits of tennis for older adults. The national tournament attracts many participants yearly, promoting healthy lifestyles through the sport.
Inclusivity is a core value of the ATA, reflected in its partnerships with organizations like Love Autism, which teaches adaptive tennis to autistic youth. Webinars for parents and coaches support families with loved ones with disabilities, ensuring that tennis is accessible to all.
The 2024 ATA National Championships highlighted several significant achievements and partnerships. This year’s ATA ACE Awards honored Mr. Martin Blackman, General Manager of USTA Player & Coach Development, for his contributions to inclusivity and equality in tennis. The African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida received the 2024 President’s Partnership Recognition Award for its exemplary dedication to fostering impactful initiatives. Notably, US Open winner and Olympian Coco Gauff, who played in ATA tournaments as a junior, exemplifies the success and potential nurtured within the ATA community.
The event also marked the election of new ATA leadership to guide the organization for the next two years. The newly elected officers—President Robert Foster, 1st Vice President Toni Wiley, 2nd Vice President Laurie Carroll, Secretary Courtney Eaves, and Treasurer Breaunna Addison—were introduced during the tournament, reflecting the organization’s ongoing commitment to excellence and inclusivity in tennis.
The ATA National Championships at the USTA National Campus celebrate Black tennis’s enduring legacy and future. As the organization continues to grow, it remains committed to its founding mission of promoting the game within African American communities and providing a platform for competition, development, and community.
For more information about the ATA and its programs, please visit the ATA’s official website.
Rich content and inspiring prose!
Grateful Mr. Boiling put pen to paper to both highlight and celebrate the accomplishments of Black people in the face of incredible hurdles by leaping bounds only to further springboard a people to heroic height’s in the presence of enmity.