United States Tennis Association

United States Tennis Association (USTA) is a non- profit organization with more than 665, 000 individual members. It endows the full 100% of its proceeds to promote and develop the growth of tennis in the US, from the file beginners to the professional athletes.

USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the United States. It is responsible for managing and administering the crown jewel of the professional game, the US Open Tennis. It has been established in 1881 and has become the largest tennis organization in the world with 17 geographical sections namely New England, Eastern, Middle States, Mid- Atlantic, Southern, Florida, Carribean, Midwest, Northern, Missouri Valley, Texas, Southwest, Intermountain, Pacific Northwest, Northern California, Southern California and Hawaii Pacific.

Even if the US Open is only held once a year, USTA is very much busy with a lot of civic activities. It includes, Community Tennis where it desires to accomplish the goal of making the game accessible to everyone by supporting a wide range of programs designed to help individual learn and play the sport. Another is the USTA Player Development where it facilitates the progress of world- class American champions by providing promising athletes with access to the finest coaching, training and competition. There is also the USTA Pro Circuit, the world’s biggest professional tour for tennis development, gives the next generation of American champions with the opportunity to contend with well- known competitors without having to travel abroad.

At this time, USTA has its own educational foundation where it seeks to dedicate in improving the quality of life among the American youth. The mission states that it “encourages children to pursue their goals and highest dreams by succeeding in school and becoming responsible citizens.” An initiative of this program is “Aces for Kids” where it endeavors to introduce healthy lifestyles by combating childhood or adult obesity by providing disadvantaged and at- risk children the opportunity to learn tennis and improve their academic skills in a structured format. It is also to increase computer literacy, interact with a mentor and attend college preparatory sessions.

With all these works done by USTA, one of its primary objective is that all their constituents will embrace diversity and reach out to different cultural backgrounds. USTA believes that it is essential in order for their mission to grow in the area of playing tennis. It is committed to fostering a tennis environment that is more inclusive and inviting to all people.