U.S. Open’s Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day: 5 Reasons Blacks Should Consider Tennis

U.S. Open’s Arthur Ashe Kids Day brought out the tennis elite: Venus Williams, Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Kim Clijsters, as well as Nick Cannon and the Jonas Brothers. The level of diversity I witnessed around the grounds baffled me, though. Why? The broad range of ethnicities that obviously enjoy watching and playing tennis doesn’t translate to the faces you see in the sport’s elite. At least not in America. To see such enthusiasm and knowledge about tennis from even the youngest of blacks, Hispanics, Asians, etc. makes me wonder why there isn’t more diverse representation, blacks specifically, in the upper echelon here in the States.

Tennis was once viewed as a white sport of means. But there are plenty of blacks with money today and plenty of community-based programs geared toward promoting diversity.  Despite that, there seems to be few black stars being produced. The Williams sisters have made phenomenal strides in the sport but they seem to be exceptions, along with late champions Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe. The day’s events were called “Arthur Ashe” Kids’ Day, but where’s the greatness Ashe modeled among young black tennis players?

Could it be that the physical and tactical requirements of the sport aren’t all that African American-friendly?  

No. While the Williams sisters’ detractors often criticize the power and athleticism they bring to the court as opposed to finesse, they sit at world Nos. 1 and 3 in the sport, which makes that argument moot.

It must all boil down to exposure and dedication to cultivation. Blacks have been relegated to believing professional football and basketball are the only profit-making sports and black parents are on board the whole way through — excited to sign the pro dotted line. Those sports can be quite lucrative, but there are other options for blacks; the Williams sisters have demonstrated that tennis can pay a few bills, too.  

There are tennis courts scarcely scattered throughout some inner city neighborhoods to cultivate budding interest, but there has to be a concerted effort to generate more interest. Tennis has to be presented as a viable option to black kids, doing away with the idea that tennis is a white sport.

Here are five good reasons African Americans should consider the sport:

1. It’s one of the best cardio activities available and a great way to fight growing obesity in youth.
2. It teaches tactical thinking, which translates to other areas of life.
3. It’s a sport that can be played well into the later phases of life, promoting long-term good health in aging blacks that deal with heart disease, diabetes, etc.
4. If good enough, it can generate an income.
5. It can promote family bonding, which is diminishing greatly, because all ages can participate.