11
August
2026
|
12:03 PM
Europe/Amsterdam

Emirates, USTA Foundation and Sloane Stephens Foundation unveil new tennis courts for Miami youth through ‘Force For Good’ initiative

  • Emirates-Force-for-Good-Miami-Gardens
    Emirates, USTA Foundation and Sloane Stephens Foundation unveil new tennis courts for Miami youth through ‘Force For Good’ initiative
  • Emirates-Force-for-Good-Miami-Gardens
    Sybil Smith, Executive Director of the Sloane Stephens Foundation (far right) and the Miami Gardens team on the grounds of the new tennis courts
  • Emirates-Force-for-Good-Miami-Gardens
    Youth benefiting from access to brand new tennis facilities at Miami Gardens
  • Emirates-Force-for-Good-Miami-Gardens
    Miami Gardens youth playing tennis at the new courts in Buccaneer Park
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  • Miami community benefits from Emirates’ continued investment in court refurbishment initiatives across the U.S. that deliver access to tennis, education programs, and youth development opportunities

  • Part of Emirates’ multi-year commitment with USTA Foundation to expand access to tennis nationwide

Miami, Florida – 11 August 2026: Emirates and the USTA Foundation Incorporated (USTA Foundation), in partnership with the Sloane Stephens Foundation, have joined forces to present newly refurbished tennis courts to the community of Miami as part of Emirates’ “Force for Good” court rejuvenation initiative. The world’s largest international airline’s contribution of USD 500,000 supported the construction of one of the two new courts in the city in addition to funding programs to benefit youth in the community.

The global airline contributed to the tennis court project at Buccaneer Park in Miami Gardens, in its commitment to uplift U.S. communities and engage young people from under-resourced communities through sports, by providing access to tennis and education. During this year’s programme efforts, two courts were renovated for the local Miami community.

Sloane Stephens, Founder of the Sloane Stephens Foundation, and Sybil Smith, Executive Director of the Sloane Stephens Foundation, said: "Every child deserves the opportunity to discover what they're capable of, and access to welcoming places to play is where that journey begins. These newly renovated courts represent far more than a place to play tennis. They are a place where young people can build confidence, develop life skills, form meaningful connections, and dream bigger. We're so proud to work with the USTA Foundation and Emirates to create opportunities that will leave a lasting impact on the next generation for years to come."

The newly refurbished tennis courts have so far benefited approximately 1,000 students and young people from the Miami Gardens community, which is closely associated with professional tennis player Sloane Stephens.

For the next two years, Emirates has committed to continue funding to support more projects that will touch the lives of youth and families across the nation, in collaboration with the USTA Foundation.

As Emirates' Force for Good initiative expands, it continues to build on its connections with the communities that benefit from the program. At the 2026 US Open, six young players, two each from Miami Gardens, Kings County Tennis League, and East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutoring will take part in a VIP clinic on Arthur Ashe Stadium court, learning valuable tips from a tennis legend. Delivered in collaboration with the USTA Foundation and the Sloane Stephens Foundation, the day brings together youth from past court rejuvenation projects, with nominees selected by the USTA Foundation based on academic performance, leadership, community service, and tennis ability.

Emirates has been a proud partner and Official Airline of the US Open since 2012. The airline began its U.S. operations with services to New York JFK in 2004, and today operates out of 12 U.S. gateways, including two points in Florida – Miami and Orlando – in addition to Boston, Houston, Chicago, Washington D.C., Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Newark, Dallas, and New York JFK.

For more information, visit emirates.com.

About Force for Good

The ‘Force for Good’ initiative uplifts communities and creates opportunities for youth of all ages to develop their sporting skills and engage in educational programs that contribute to their future success and overall wellbeing. In addition to the refurbishment of the tennis courts, the funding will continue to support programming designed to provide youth with access to tennis, cultivating a spirit of sport and excellence, alongside educational opportunities.

About Emirates

Emirates began operations to the U.S. in 2004 with its scheduled services to New York JFK. The airline serves customers with its award-winning services and seamless connectivity to its global network of almost 140 destinations. Travelers flying with Emirates can enjoy the best experience in the sky with an unmatched culinary experience, thanks to regionally-inspired, multi-course menus developed by a team of award-winning chefs and complemented by a wide selection of premium beverages. Customers can sit back and relax with more than 6,500 channels of carefully curated global entertainment content featuring movies, TV shows, music, podcasts, games, audiobooks and more with ice, Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system. Emirates currently offers services to 12 U.S. gateways, including New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). More information can be found at www.emirates.com

About the USTA

The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level -- from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. A not-for-profit organization, it invests its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operates the US Open, one of the highest-attended annual sporting events in the world, along with approximately 100 Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S., and selects the teams for Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The USTA’s philanthropic entity, the USTA Foundation, provides grants and scholarships in addition to supporting tennis and education programs nationwide to benefit under-resourced youth through the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network. For more information about the USTA, go to USTA.com or follow the official accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X) and TikTok.

USTA Foundation (USTAF or USTA Foundation Incorporated) is a national non-profit organization that provides the powerful combination of tennis, education, and mentorship to prepare young people from under-resourced communities for the challenges and opportunities of life. Founded in 1994, the USTA Foundation serves as the social impact arm of the USTA. For more information, visit ustafoundation.com and stay connected through Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

The Sloane Stephens Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by Grand Slam champion and former World No. 3 Sloane Stephens to expand opportunities for underserved youth through education, sports, and wellness. Partnering with public school districts, municipalities, and community organizations, the Foundation delivers year-round programs in tennis, swimming, soccer, academic enrichment, workforce development, and mental wellness. Serving thousands of young people annually across California and South Florida, the Foundation uses sport as a catalyst to build confidence, improve health, strengthen academic success, and create pathways to lifelong opportunity.