Key Takeaways
- The USTA’s US Open Legacy Initiative reached its $3 million goal, improving over 700 public courts across more than 100 facilities nationwide.
- Coco Gauff personally championed court upgrades at Delray Beach’s Pompey Park and New Orleans’ Joe Brown Park.
- Gauff contributed $250,000 across two years to the UNCF to fund scholarships for tennis players at historically Black colleges and universities.
Transforming public courts across the nation
Coco Gauff’s rise to the pinnacle of tennis continues to create meaningful pathways for young athletes and college students throughout the United States. Following her triumph at the 2023 US Open, where she defeated Aryna Sabalenka to become the youngest American woman to lift the singles trophy since Serena Williams in 1999, the United States Tennis Association committed $3 million to improve public tennis facilities nationwide.
Through the US Open Legacy Initiative, the USTA aimed to ensure players from all backgrounds have safe, accessible places to train. By November 2025, the governing body confirmed the programme had fulfilled its $3 million financial target, revitalizing more than 700 courts across over 100 facilities. The projects addressed widespread infrastructure challenges at municipal venues, funding critical resurfacing, modern lighting, fence replacements, and new seating.
Comparison table
| Entry | Value |
|---|---|
| 00:04 / 10 | 40 |
| Global Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Oct 20, 2026, 00 | 34 IST |
| 10 | 14 |
| 14 | 19 |
| Former Prisoner Knocked Out by Active Police Officer at BKFC | 95 |
Rebuilding roots from Florida to Louisiana
The mission holds profound personal significance for Gauff, who honed her game on municipal surfaces in Delray Beach, Florida. In March 2024, she visited Pompey Park—the very facility where her journey started—to inaugurate two resurfaced hard courts funded by nearly $60,000 in grant assistance. The park also carried deep heritage for her family, as her grandparents Eddie “Red” Odom and Yvonne Lee Odom had previously established local youth baseball leagues there.
At the dedication ceremony, Gauff emphasized the necessity of community backing for rising talent.
“Investing in public parks and our youth is very important,” Gauff said. She noted that community encouragement helped nurture her ambitions, expressing hope that similar support could inspire future athletes.
The family also directed support to Joe Brown Park in New Orleans East, where 10 public courts underwent complete refurbishment in 2025 due to their strong ties to the city.
Expanding opportunities for HBCU student-athletes
Beyond grassroots public facilities, Gauff has directed substantial resources toward collegiate sports. Over two consecutive years, she contributed a total of $250,000 to the United Negro College Fund, giving an initial $100,000 in 2025 followed by a $150,000 gift in January 2026.
The resulting Coco Gauff Scholarship Program assists student-athletes who balance competitive tennis with higher education at historically Black colleges and universities. UNCF, which recognized Gauff as its youngest major gifts donor, confirmed that scholarships have supported 10 student-athletes across six institutions: Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, Albany State University, Clark Atlanta University, Howard University, Livingstone College, and Tuskegee University.
Reflecting on her continued support, Gauff pointed to the transformative role of academics.
“Education has the power to change lives,” Gauff said when presenting the gift, highlighting her desire to help collegiate athletes fulfill their goals both on and off the court.
Cori Gauff in 2026
Currently the world no.5, Coco played her last match on the 7th of October when she surrendered to world no.15 Elise Mertens 6-3 6-3 in the 4th round in Beijing (draw).
At the moment, during this season Gauff has achieved an overall 47-15 win-loss record. Gauff conquered 1 title in Cincinnati.
