Billie Jean King, Rosie Casals On The Importance Of Public Tennis Programs

Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, August 28th 2025 at 9:01 GMT by Forbes
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Billie Jean King and Rosie Casals Champion the Case for Public Tennis Programs

In a fresh Forbes feature that ran on August 27, 2025, tennis legends Billie Jean King and Rosie Casals take the conversation beyond the court to a broader discussion about access, equity, and community health. Drawing on decades of experience as players, advocates, and public figures, the duo outlines why public tennis courts and programs matter now more than ever—and what can be done to keep them alive for the next generation.

From Gravel Courts to Grand Slams

Both King and Casals grew up on the hard‑hit, gravel‑lined courts of public playgrounds. In the article, they recall how their first love of the sport was a simple rubber ball, a racquet bought with the help of a local school coach, and a pair of shoes that were far too small to fit. Those early years taught them two truths that have guided their careers: first, that talent can bloom wherever the ball can be hit; and second, that the social barriers that surround sports are the ones that most need to be dismantled.

They trace the evolution of public tennis in the United States—from the 1920s public courts built in parks and schoolyards to the more sophisticated hard‑court installations that now dot many American cities. While the number of courts has increased, the gap between communities that can afford private club access and those that rely on public spaces has only widened, especially in low‑income neighborhoods.

The USTA’s Public Tennis Program: A Blueprint for Change

A key link in the Forbes article points readers to the USTA’s Public Tennis Program (UTP), a multi‑million‑dollar initiative launched in 2013. The UTP’s mission is “to build, maintain, and promote public tennis courts and programs that serve the community, inspire participation, and foster a lifelong love of tennis.” The program offers grants to municipalities and community groups, supports court upgrades, and funds coaching and outreach programs for youth and underserved populations.

King explains that UTP is more than just bricks and paint—it’s a catalyst for social change. “When a town invests in a public court, it’s investing in its youth, its public health, and its future workforce,” she says. “A well‑maintained public court can be a playground, a training ground, and a meeting place all at once.”

Casals echoes this sentiment, adding that the UTP’s “grass‑roots” approach—partnering with local nonprofits, schools, and volunteer coaches—has proven especially effective in cities where corporate sponsorships are scarce. She cites a pilot program in Detroit that, with UTP funding, turned a neglected lot into a fully equipped tennis center that now sees over 2,000 visitors per month, many of whom are first‑time players.

Beyond the Court: Health, Equity, and Community

The Forbes piece weaves together statistics that underscore the public tennis narrative. In the UTP’s “Impact Report 2024,” public courts served more than 500,000 people in a single year—twice as many as private clubs. Moreover, the UTP’s outreach programs have led to a measurable decrease in obesity rates among participants in several participating cities, as documented in a 2023 study by the American Journal of Public Health.

King, a lifelong advocate for gender equality, links the public tennis argument to her broader fight for access. “When we talk about gender equity, we must also talk about economic equity,” she notes. “If women of color want to compete at the highest levels, they first need a public court to practice.”

Casals, who broke ground in the 1970s as a leading doubles player, highlights how public tennis can be a powerful tool for community cohesion. She points to the “Girls on the Go” initiative—co‑founded by the Billie Jean King Foundation—which partners with public schools to offer after‑school tennis clinics, mentorship, and scholarship opportunities for girls in underserved neighborhoods.

Funding the Future: What Must Be Done

Both players stress that the survival of public tennis programs hinges on sustained funding, advocacy, and community partnership. King calls for a “public‑private partnership model” where municipalities, corporations, and philanthropic foundations share the financial burden of court maintenance and program delivery. She cites an example in San Francisco, where a tech‑sector partnership helped fund a $2 million overhaul of 12 public courts, now used by over 10,000 residents annually.

Casals points to a new initiative unveiled by the USTA—the “Youth Tennis Development Fund”—which offers up to $50,000 per community to cover coaching fees and equipment for low‑income youth. “It’s not enough to build the court; we need to make sure the kids actually play on it,” she stresses.

The article concludes with a rallying cry: if policymakers and the public want a healthier, more inclusive future, they must recognize public tennis as a public good rather than a luxury. “Every ball that lands on a public court is a statement of hope,” King says. “We have the tools. We just need the will to use them.”

The Takeaway

In this concise yet comprehensive Forbes feature, Billie Jean King and Rosie Casals illuminate a path toward democratizing tennis. By weaving together personal history, data, and policy analysis, they show how public tennis programs are not merely recreational spaces—they are engines of social change, economic opportunity, and lifelong well‑being. The message is clear: invest in public courts today, and you invest in the health and prosperity of communities for generations to come.

Read the Full Forbes Article at:
[ https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2025/08/27/billie-jean-king-and-rosie-casals-on-the-importance-of-public-tennis-programs/ ]

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