Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

The United States Tennis Association today concluded its celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month by recapping the organization’s multiple Hispanic engagement accomplishments for the year.

At the start of 2015, USTA Chairman, CEO and President Katrina Adams developed the USTA’s first Hispanic Engagement Advisory Group (HEAG), whose mission is to promote and develop the growth of tennis among U.S. Hispanics. Led by USTA Board Member Fabrizio Alcobe-Fierro, senior vice president of the Univision Networks at Univision Communications Inc., the group has been tasked with growing the number of U.S. Hispanic players, particularly among youth and families, by expanding the USTA’s Hispanic outreach in communities around the country.

“The USTA is committed to developing opportunities to grow the sport of tennis in all Hispanic communities in the U.S.,” said Adams. “While we celebrate this month in recognizing those who have paved the way in impacting this sport, we also understand that the future of tennis in the U.S. depends on making it a go-to sport for the Hispanic community all year long.”

On the court in 2015, the USTA set up a number of Hispanic youth tennis clinics at professional events, including at the BB&T Atlanta Open and the Connecticut Open during the Emirates Airline US Open Series, as well as at the 2015 US Open. At the Open, defending men’s champion Marin Cilic helped introduce tennis to many of the 50 youngsters from Global Language Project based in the New York City communities of Astoria (in Queens) and Washington Heights (in Manhattan).

Off the court, the USTA created its first-ever Spanish language television commercials and first-ever stand-alone Spanish language website. The Spanish-language commercials feature former tennis pro and current U.S. Fed Cup Captain Mary Joe Fernandez and Hall of Famer Gigi Fernandez. Each spot directed viewers to visit www.TenisParaTodos.com for information on how adults and children can get involved and begin playing in their communities. Both were aired on US Open broadcast partner ESPN, and on the giant video screens located throughout the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

At the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, the USTA’s Latino/Hispanic Business Resource Group showcased the contributions of Hispanics who positively impact the sport with individual displays featuring various Latino and Hispanic players, leaders and icons located at the USTA’s headquarters in White Plains, N.Y., that runs throughout the month. Featured individuals included former tennis pros Charlie Pasarell, founder of the Indian Wells Tournament and co-founder of the National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network; Pancho Segura, former world No.1 men’s singles player and three-time NCAA men’s singles champion; Mary Joe Fernandez; Gigi Fernandez; current world No. 65 women’s singles player Irina Falconi; and Maria Sanchez, seven-time USTA Pro Circuit doubles champion to name a few.

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.