Celebrating Legacy and Leadership: ATA Honors Trailblazers at 2025 Awards Gala 

On Saturday, July 27, the American Tennis Association (ATA) hosted its 2025 Awards Gala and Celebration at Rollins College, with USTA Florida proudly serving as a sponsor. The evening was a powerful tribute to the enduring legacy of Althea Gibson—the first Black athlete to win a Grand Slam title, and a celebration of those continuing to shape the future of tennis. 

The Gala recognized four distinguished individuals whose contributions have shaped the sport and inspired generations. Illona Young, mother and coach of professional player Donald Young, received the Althea Gibson Award for Contributions to the Sport of Tennis, honoring her lifelong dedication to player development and mentorship.  

Jarmere and Jermaine Jenkins, elite tennis professionals and coaches, were presented with the Black Excellence in Tennis Award for their leadership and impact on the game.  

Stacey Allaster, Chief Executive of USTA Professional Tennis and US Open Tournament Director, was honored with the Breaking the Barriers Award for her role in advancing equity and inclusion at the highest levels of the sport. 

The evening was filled with powerful moments, including a heartfelt speech from Donovan Spigner, a young player from Harlem, New York, who presented the award to Jermaine Jenkins. He has played tennis since age two, comes from a family deeply connected to the ATA, with generations competing in its events, and he is thrilled to see people making a difference in the Black community. 

“It’s why representation really matters,” he said. “Because when a young kid sees someone who looks like them on the court, they don’t just see a tennis player, they see a future.”  

Lauryn Jacobs, a current tennis professional, also gave an empowering speech, hitting on the importance of getting more people that look like her involved in tennis. “Representation is critical for inspiration, for values, for aspirations. It empowers individuals through the simple perception that they matter,” she said. “If all you ever see are athletes who don’t share your background, your culture, your lived experiences, it can send a message that this space isn’t for you.” 

George Henry, USTA Florida’s Director of Tennis at Play Tennis Gainesville, and Ken Collins, Teaching Pro at Play Tennis Gainesville reflected on the significance of the evening. “The program and the Gala showcased Black improvement and Black excellence,” they said. “It allowed the young people to speak and be heard and tell their stories. They can take some of the work we do with them and continue to grow the game in different communities throughout the country.” 

The Gala also served as a kickoff to the ATA National Championships, held July 28 through August 2 at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, Florida. The Championships, which began in 1917 with just three events, now span seven days and feature a wide range of divisions, including: 

• ATA 10 & Under Green Ball Singles 
• ATA Junior Doubles Championships 
• ATA Junior L5 ATA Championships 
• ATA 35+ & 45+ Age Group (singles, doubles, mixed) 
• ATA Men’s and Women’s Open 
• ATA NTRP 3.0–4.5 Singles & Doubles 
• ATA 50–85 Age Group (singles, doubles, mixed) 
• ATA Unsanctioned Junior Singles 

Players from across North America and the Caribbean are competing, with winners of the Men’s and Women’s Open divisions receiving a wildcard into a $15K USTA Pro Circuit event. 

As USTA Florida and the ATA continue their work together, USTA Florida Executive Director, Laura Bowen says the organization is focused on getting out to even more communities. “When it comes to us being inclusive, we need to go into communities so that when people are excited about anything, it doesn’t just mean we’re inclusive by default. We are incredibly diverse and incredibly inclusive,” she said. “I just had a meeting with our Board of Directors, and we said the most important word in our mission, ‘Tennis for All,’ is the word all. And there are many layers to that word.” 

Together, the Gala and Championships reflect the ATA’s mission to honor history, celebrate excellence, and build a more inclusive future for tennis.