Emirates and the USTA Foundation have unveiled the Emirates "Force for Good" court refurbishment initiative — a $2.5 million, five-year commitment to revitalize tennis courts in underserved communities across the United States. The program launched during the 2024 US Open, reinforcing a partnership that began in 2012 when Emirates first became the Official Airline Partner of the tournament.
Emirates and USTA Foundation Extend 13-Year Partnership
The new multiyear agreement extends Emirates' long-standing relationship with the United States Tennis Association. Over its 13-year tenure as the US Open's Official Airline Partner, Emirates has steadily deepened its investment in American tennis — and this latest initiative marks the most community-focused chapter yet.
The partnership now includes an annual donation to the USTA Foundation, with funds directed toward resurfacing courts at underserved parks, schools, and community centers across US cities where Emirates operates. The "Force for Good" name reflects the airline's wider corporate social responsibility framework.
Three Brooklyn Courts Revitalized at De Hostos Playground
The initiative's first phase focused on Brooklyn's De Hostos Playground, where Emirates contributed $500,000 to resurface three courts. The renovated courts were officially unveiled on September 7, 2024 — during the closing weekend of the US Open — at a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Emirates and USTA Foundation officials, New York City public representatives, and tennis legend James Blake, who was the first player to take to the new courts.
De Hostos Playground is home to the Kings County Tennis League (KCTL), which serves hundreds of youth across Brooklyn as one of the USTA Foundation's 250-plus National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) chapters nationwide.
Youth Tennis Access at the Heart of the Program
The primary goal of the Emirates Force for Good tennis courts program is to expand access to tennis and education for disadvantaged young people. Thousands of under-resourced youth are expected to benefit over the multi-year term, gaining access to quality playing surfaces and structured coaching programs.
Boutros Boutros, Emirates' Executive Vice President of Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand, emphasized the initiative's long-term vision: "It is a constructive approach to renew surfaces of tennis courts and encourage training courses that inspire children and future champions who have love for tennis in their hearts."
US Open Sponsorship Expanded Beyond the Courts
Beyond the court refurbishment program, Emirates maintains a broad portfolio of US Open sponsorship commitments. These include brand visibility throughout the tournament, the Emirates Ball Flight program — a fan-favorite experience — and an upgraded Emirates hospitality suite at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The airline's support for American tennis now spans both elite competition and grassroots community development, a combination that Emirates and the USTA Foundation say creates genuine reciprocal value for the sport and for local neighborhoods.
Expansion to More US Cities Planned
The Force for Good initiative is designed to grow over its five-year term. Emirates has committed to sponsoring court refurbishments at additional parks, schools, and community facilities in other US cities where the airline has operations, building on the Brooklyn launch to bring quality tennis infrastructure to more underserved communities across the country.
