USTA Foundation Announces New Activations Around Tennis Movie

The USTA Foundation, the charitable arm of the United States Tennis Association Incorporated (USTA), has a series of community activations to celebrate Warner Bros. Pictures’ “King Richard.” The powerful drama stars Will Smith as Richard Williams and follows the journey of him and his wife, Oracene (played by Aunjanue Ellis), as they guide Venus and Serena Williams on their path to changing the sport of tennis and the world forever. The activations will provide under-resourced youth from National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) chapters in 27 cities across the country with the opportunity to have a first look at the movie.  Additionally, NJTL youth from XS Tennis in Chicago will participate in a tennis clinic and community event with actors from the movie. “King Richard” is slated for U.S. release on November 19, 2021, in theaters and on HBO Max via the Ad-Free plan; it will be available on HBO Max for 31 days from theatrical release.

“An entire generation has been inspired by the enduring impact and triumphs of Venus and Serena Williams, two trailblazing champions whose lives and careers exemplify our mission that the powerful combination of tennis and education can change lives,” said Dan Faber, Executive Director, USTA Foundation. “‘This movie will truly empower youth through their inspiring story that shows how with hard work, discipline, and passion anything is possible.”

Youth tennis players from XS Tennis, an NJTL chapter in Chicago, previously attended an advanced viewing of the movie on Nov. 6. The movie’s stars—two-time Oscar nominee Will Smith and the two actresses who play Venus and Serena, Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton—will host a community event, including a kids tennis clinic and meet and greet, at the XS Tennis facility on Nov. 10. Smith will present all-inclusive year-round scholarships to rising stars of the XS Tennis program, which includes monthly membership, summer camp and 1:1 coaching clinics. The USTA Foundation is one of the scholarship’s donors.

Additionally, the USTA Foundation worked with Warner Bros. to secure tickets to an advance screening of “King Richard” to NJTL chapters in 27 markets. Each NJTL youth is encouraged to invite a parent, guardian or sibling to accompany them as their guest to the screening. The screenings will take place on Nov. 10 in cities across the country.

For more information on the USTA Foundation, please visit https://www.ustafoundation.com/

USTA Foundation Incorporated (USTAF or USTA Foundation), the national charitable arm of the United States Tennis Association Incorporated (USTA), utilizes the powerful combination of tennis and education to enhance the lives of under-resourced youth through its support of the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network. For more than 50 years, NJTL has impacted thousands of youth across the nation, and today the network features more than 250 chapters that reach more than 160,000 young people annually. The USTAF supports these chapters by providing financial grants, scholarship opportunities, curricula, technical assistance, and training. USTAF raises money and public awareness through private donations, corporate sponsorships, foundations, and fundraisers, including the US Open Opening Night Gala, the US Open Paver program, and various Pro-Ams, to name just a few. To date, the USTA Foundation has awarded more than $50 million in grants and scholarships. For more information on the USTA Foundation, visit www.ustafoundation.com, or stay connected through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok (at @USTA).

About “King Richard” - Reinaldo Marcus Green directed “King Richard” from a screenplay written by Zach Baylin. The producers were Tim White and Trevor White under their Star Thrower Entertainment banner, and Will Smith under his Westbrook banner. Isha Price, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, James Lassiter, Jada Pinkett Smith, Adam Merims, Lynn Harris, Allan Mandelbaum, Jon Mone and Peter Dodd served as the executive producers. A Warner Bros. Pictures Presentation, A Star Thrower Entertainment Production, A Westbrook Production, A Keepin’ It Reel Production, “King Richard.”