On the occasion of Hispanic Heritage Month, the community will have a new opportunity to celebrate Latino culture through tennis. The event, completely free and open to families and friends, will be held to say goodbye to summer with music, activities and entertainment.
The event is Saturday, September 26, from 1 to 4 pm, at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the US Open. A difficult setting to beat for a celebration dedicated to tennis.
Although the US Open closed the curtain on September 13, tennis continues in Flushing.
Under the slogan “United in tennis!”, the second edition of the Hispanic Heritage Month Tennis Celebration will offer live music, Latin American dances, kiosks with interesting information, food and drinks, as well as activities to play and have fun in a family atmosphere.
Among the participating cultural organizations will be the Thalia Spanish Theater, in Sunnyside, considered the only Hispanic theater in Queens. Other organizations and community representatives will also participate.
Culture. Community. Pride. The celebration is supported by the New York Junior Tennis League (NYJTL), founded by the legendary Arthur Ashe, USTA Eastern, the Círculo de la Hispanidad de Long Island and the Emilio Sánchez Academy, among others.
As a special guest will be the Argentine illustrator Eugenia Mello, creator of PULSO, the official poster of the US Open 2026, which, according to its creator, “celebrates our history in New York.”
Don’t have a racket or balls? No problem. The only requirement is to arrive wanting to enjoy. The rest is the responsibility of the hosts.
Tito Pérez, renowned tennis coach and organizer of the festival, explained that the main objective is to bring this sport closer to the Hispanic community.
“It is to connect the Hispanic community with tennis, that is the most important thing. In New York there are many quality and economically accessible programs for the community; it is just a matter of finding out,” said Pérez, of Bolivian origin.
“For many people it will be the first time they visit the National Tennis Center in Queens, and it is the best way to get to know it and next year enjoy the US Open Fan Week, which is also free,” he added.
In 2025, during the first edition of the Hispanic Heritage Month Tennis Celebration, the special guest was the Spanish Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, winner of the 1994 US Open and Roland Garros, among other important tournaments.
“The USTA is trying to make tennis popular in our Latin community, but we need everyone’s support,” Pérez emphasized. “Our ultimate goal with this celebration is for tennis to reach everyone, especially minorities. It will help if Ben Shelton wins the US Open,” said Pérez.
Shelton was the first African-American to reach a US Open final since Arthur Ashe, who did so in 1972. However, the southpaw from Georgia lost in the final to Germany’s Alexander Zverev.
A report from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) notes that the popularity of tennis among minorities, especially Hispanics, increased after the pandemic. More and more Latinos take up the racket and are encouraged to practice this sport, considered an activity that offers important health benefits.
In Travers Park, in Jackson Heights, for example, there is a large tennis community led by Colombian Mónica Vergara, where tournaments are organized, free classes are offered and groups of neighbors get together to attend the US Open, among other activities.
Also in Astoria Park, Juniper Park and Alley Pond Park you can find more and more Hispanics playing tennis.
The invitation is open to all on September 26 in Flushing. A day that seeks to be much more than tennis: people, culture and community.
For more information and registration, contact Tito Pérez at 631-682-4079.
Instagram: @hispanictennis
