That’s a missed opportunity. Tennis is one of the most international sports on Earth, and in the U.S. alone, the industry surrounding it generates massive dollars in coaching, facilities, equipment, and content. The question for us isn’t whether we can play the game. The question is: how do we own the court, not just appear on it?

Imagine dozens of free community tennis matches and tournaments across majority-Black cities — not one-off exhibitions, but consistent weekend battles for bragging rights. More competition at the amateur level means more volume, more talent discovery, and more exposure. Just like pickup basketball courts birthed generations of pros, we can create a grassroots pipeline in tennis.

Quote to Live By:

“You can’t build champions if the court stays empty.”

Small and midsized Black-owned businesses could sponsor equipment, court time, and travel for young athletes. In return, they get visibility and potential tax benefits tied to donations of gear and funds. This isn’t charity — it’s investment in the pipeline. Imagine barbershops, restaurants, and real estate firms becoming part of a local tennis economy.

Court-Side Capital:

Local sponsorship of youth sports in the U.S. already generates more than $19 billion a year. The Black community deserves a slice of that market.

We can’t rely on ESPN or the Tennis Channel to put Black amateur talent on the screen. But we can collaborate with Black-owned production houses, streaming startups, and independent broadcasters to televise the best matches. Picture a YouTube Live channel or FAST (free ad-supported streaming TV) service spotlighting the fiercest rivalries from Black amateur leagues — monetized by ads, subscriptions, and sponsorships.

Big Stage Energy:

“If we don’t own the cameras, we’ll never control the story.”

One way tennis has always driven prestige is through ranking systems. Why not create a Black Tennis Index — an official ranking company that tracks top players moving from amateur to collegiate to pro? With credible data, highlight reels, and digital profiles, this would make Black players harder to overlook and easier for scouts, brands, and universities to engage with.

The Power of Data:

Global sports analytics is projected to be a $22 billion industry by 2030. A Black-owned ranking system would not only track progress but build ownership in that data.

Every summer, majority-Black cities could host pro-am tournaments that bring together college standouts, seasoned amateurs, and rising juniors. These events would function as scouting showcases, business networking hubs, and culture-driven festivals all in one. Think Essence Festival meets the US Open — with courts instead of concerts.

Culture Meets Competition:

“When we combine talent with exposure, pipelines turn into platforms.”

We can’t wait for tennis federations or global sponsors to make space for us. Ownership in this sport will only come from deliberate infrastructure: grassroots play, community business support, Black-owned media, credible rankings, and pro-am pathways. The playbook is already in front of us — other sports have done it.

The question now is whether we’ll take the shot. Because if we don’t, the dollars flowing through tennis will keep passing us by.