By McCarton Ackerman, USTAFoundation.com
The 13th season of the Emirates Airline US Open Series is placing a heavy emphasis on local communities, launching a wide range of outreach events that offer activities for fans of all ages and backgrounds to get involved in the game while enjoying world-class tennis.
Five Series events this summer will offer USTA Foundation grants and youth tennis clinics for a local National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) chapter:
- Bank of the West Classic, July 20
- BB&T Atlanta Open, Aug. 5
- Western & Southern Open, Aug. 18
- Connecticut Open, Aug. 23
- Winston-Salem Open, Aug. 24
The USTA Foundation will offer a “Serving Up Dreams” grant for these selected NJTL chapters so they can continue to improve their facilities and provide quality tennis and education programming.
Local high school players and youth coaches will benefit from 10-and-Under Coaches Clinics and High School Days at five Series tournaments:
- Bank of the West Classic, July 21
- BB&T Atlanta Open, Aug. 5
- Western & Southern Open, Aug. 18
- Winston-Salem Open, Aug. 22
- Connecticut Open, Aug. 27
The Coaches Clinics take less than four hours and give teaching pros the necessary skills to teach children under the age of 10, while the High School Days help facilitate year-round play once the school tennis season is complete.
Four Series events will celebrate diversity with Hispanic Youth Events:
- Bank of the West Classic, July 18
- BB&T Atlanta Open, Aug. 2
- Western & Southern Open, Aug. 13
- Connecticut Open, Aug. 23
And four Series events will celebrate diversity with LGBT Pride Nights:
- Bank of the West Classic, July 22
- BB&T Atlanta Open, Aug. 2
- Western & Southern Open, Aug. 16
- Winston-Salem Open, Aug. 24
Tennis Hall of Famer and five-time US Open women’s doubles champion Gigi Fernandez will lead the Hispanic Youth clinics in Atlanta, Cincinnati and New Haven.
Current and former service members will also be recognized during military appreciation events at four Series events:
- BB&T Atlanta Open, Aug. 5
- Western & Southern Open, Aug. 15
- Winston-Salem Open, Aug. 22
- Connecticut Open, Aug. 27
The Emirates Airline US Open Series runs from July 18 through Aug. 27.