Emirates unveils new tennis courts in Miami to expand youth opportunities
Six promising players will receive a special US Open experience in 2026
MIAMI, Florida – Miami youth are gaining greater access to tennis, education and development opportunities through a new community initiative backed by Emirates, the USTA Foundation and the Sloane Stephens Foundation.
The partners have unveiled newly refurbished tennis courts in Miami as part of Emirates’ ‘Force for Good’ initiative, which aims to use sport and education to create opportunities for young people from under-resourced communities. The project forms part of Emirates’ wider, multi-year commitment with the USTA Foundation to expand access to tennis across the United States.
Emirates contributed $500,000 towards the Miami project, helping fund the construction of one of two new courts while also supporting youth programmes in the community. The initiative has focused on Buccaneer Park in Miami Gardens, providing local children and young people with improved facilities and opportunities to take part in tennis and educational activities.
New facilities
Two courts have been renovated for the Miami community during this year’s programme, with the newly refurbished facilities already reaching approximately 1,000 students and young people from Miami Gardens.
The area has a particularly strong connection with Sloane Stephens, the Grand Slam champion and former World No. 3 who founded the Sloane Stephens Foundation. The organisation works to expand opportunities for underserved young people through programmes covering sport, education and wellness.
The partnership brings together Emirates, the USTA Foundation and the Sloane Stephens Foundation to combine upgraded sporting infrastructure with programmes designed to support youth development. The funding will continue to provide young people with access to tennis while creating opportunities to develop sporting skills and take part in educational programmes.
Sloane Stephens, founder of the Sloane Stephens Foundation, said access to welcoming places to play can give children an opportunity to discover their potential. She said the refurbished courts would provide more than a place to play, offering young people opportunities to build confidence, develop life skills, form connections and broaden their ambitions.
Sybil Smith, executive director of the Sloane Stephens Foundation, also took part in the partnership, which is intended to create opportunities for young people in the Miami Gardens community.
Wider commitment
Emirates has pledged to continue its support for similar projects across the US for another two years through its collaboration with the USTA Foundation.
The continuing investment is part of the airline’s broader ‘Force for Good’ initiative, which supports community projects focused on youth development, sporting participation and education. Alongside court refurbishment, funding is being directed towards programming that gives young people opportunities to learn tennis, develop a spirit of sporting excellence and access educational support.
The initiative is also linking young players from previous court rejuvenation projects with major tennis events.
At the 2026 US Open, six young players will take part in a VIP clinic on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court. Two participants each will come from Miami Gardens, the Kings County Tennis League and East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutoring.
The young players will receive tennis instruction from a tennis legend during the special clinic, which is being delivered in collaboration with the USTA Foundation and the Sloane Stephens Foundation.
Participants will be nominated by the USTA Foundation based on a combination of academic performance, leadership, community service and tennis ability. The event is designed to bring together young people who have benefited from previous court rejuvenation projects and give them an opportunity to experience one of tennis’ most prominent stages.
US Open link
Emirates has been an Official Airline and partner of the US Open since 2012, extending its involvement in American tennis beyond its commercial operations.
The airline began scheduled services to the US in 2004 with flights to New York JFK. It now operates from 12 US gateways, including Miami and Orlando in Florida, as well as Boston, Houston, Chicago, Washington DC, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Newark, Dallas and New York JFK.
Emirates connects its US destinations with a global network of almost 140 destinations. Its US presence has grown alongside its long-standing association with the US Open and its community-focused programmes.
The airline’s ‘Force for Good’ initiative is centred on creating opportunities for young people of different ages through sport and education. Its court refurbishment projects are intended to improve access to tennis while supporting programmes that can contribute to youth development and future opportunities.
The USTA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the United States Tennis Association, supports tennis and education programmes nationwide, particularly for young people from under-resourced communities. Established in 1994, the foundation uses tennis, education and mentorship to help prepare young people for the challenges and opportunities of life.
Through its National Junior Tennis & Learning network, the USTA Foundation provides grants, scholarships and programme support to communities across the country. The organisation’s work complements the ‘Force for Good’ initiative by connecting access to tennis with educational and mentoring opportunities.
The Sloane Stephens Foundation similarly uses sport as a platform for youth development. Founded by Stephens, the nonprofit works with public school districts, municipalities and community organisations to provide year-round programmes in tennis, swimming, soccer, academic enrichment, workforce development and mental wellness.
The foundation serves thousands of young people each year across California and South Florida, with programmes designed to build confidence, support health and academic achievement, and create pathways towards long-term opportunities.