Inclusive tennis event in Queens showcases culture and community

QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) -- People of all ages and backgrounds came together in Queens to celebrate culture and community through tennis.

PIX11’s Cory McGinnis reports on how the annual Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Tennis Festival at Cunningham Tennis Center created a welcoming space where everyone could enjoy the game and connect with their heritage.

Vania King, a former professional tennis player and two-time Grand Slam champion, moved smoothly across the Fresh Meadows, Queens court. Though retired from the tour, King’s passion for tennis was clear as she joined the celebration for AANHPI Heritage Month, sharing the court and her story with the local community.

“Tennis has given me so much, especially as I get older I appreciate the opportunities it gave to me,” King said.

The festival, organized by USTA Eastern and Cunningham Tennis Center, offered a full afternoon of tennis activities, cultural performances, and food from across Asia. Families and neighbors filled the courts, sampling dishes from local vendors and watching dance performances.

King, who now serves as president of the Asian American Pacific Islander Tennis Association, wants to make tennis more accessible. “Tennis can be seen as a bougie sport, like a sport that’s not really accessible. But I really think that it’s a sport that can be accessible, and it’s something that all communities can celebrate and appreciate,” she said.

For many, the festival was about more than just tennis. Jocelyn Cruz-Alfalia, Director of Community Tennis at USTA Eastern, emphasized the importance of inclusivity.

“Celebrating all cultures, though, I want people to not just look like me to be here in this space, but everybody, inclusivity,” Cruz-Alfalia said. “Places like this can actually be a gateway for more tennis opportunities.”

King echoed those sentiments, saying the festival was about community, culture, and creating a space where everyone feels welcome.

“This is the biggest AAPI celebratory event in tennis. We have so many people coming out and Queens being in the backyard of the US Open, it’s the perfect venue for it,” King said.

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