A pair of newly refurbished tennis courts are creating unique opportunities for young people in Miami Gardens, both on and off the court.
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The courts at Buccaneer Park are part of a partnership between Emirates, the USTA Foundation and the Sloane Stephens Foundation to expand access to tennis and educational programs in the community.
About 1,000 students and young people from Miami Gardens have benefited from the courts and related programming so far.
The project is especially meaningful for tennis professional Sloane Stephens, who grew up in the area. The 2017 U.S. Open champion founded the Sloane Stephens Foundation, which provides programs for underserved youth through sports, education and wellness.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to discover what they’re capable of, and access to welcoming places to play is where that journey begins,” Stephens said.
The foundation combines tennis with academic enrichment and other programs for young people.
“These newly renovated courts represent far more than a place to play tennis,” Stephens said. “They are a place where young people can build confidence, develop life skills, form meaningful connections, and dream bigger.”
The initiative has also brought young players from participating communities to the U.S. Open.
Six players, two each from Miami Gardens, the Kings County Tennis League and East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutoring, participated in a clinic at Arthur Ashe Stadium during this year’s tournament.
The players worked with tennis icon John Isner and were selected based on their tennis ability, academic performance, leadership and community service.
The project is part of Emirates’ “Force for Good” initiative with the USTA Foundation, which supports tennis and education programs in communities across the country. Emirates, the official airline of the U.S. Open since 2012, contributed $500,000 to the project and plans to continue funding similar efforts over the next two years.
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