The USTA Foundation will host its 21st annual Opening Night Gala on Monday, August 29, 2022. 2022 honorees will be announced at a later date.
Contact us directly at foundation@usta.com or 914-696-7223 for more information on this incredible evening. Learn More Here.
At a record-breaking 2021 Opening Night Gala, the USTA Foundation honored its former Board President and one of the Foundation's most passionate supporters, Tom Chen, with its Serving Up Dreams Award for his ongoing leadership, support and dedication to the principles and ideals of the USTA Foundation. The Original 9 was presented with the Foundation's Trailblazer Award, as 2020 marked the 50th anniversary since this group of nine women tennis players signed $1 contracts to launch women's professional tennis as we know it today. The Original 9, who were protesting against the inequality in prize money awarded in the men's and women's game, included Billie Jean King, Rosie Casals, Nancy Richey, Kerry Melville, Peaches Bartkowicz, Kristy Pigeon, Judy Dalton, Valerie Ziegenfuss and Julie Heldman.
Funds raised will continue the Foundation's mission to fund tennis and education programming for hundreds of community based, grassroots programs across the country benefiting thousands of youth. Guests will enjoy a delicious four-course meal, an inspiring program with auction opportunities and celebrity sightings in the President's Suite of Arthur Ashe Stadium. Dinner will be followed by witnessing the Opening Night Ceremony and world-class tennis from the best seats in the house.