Be Legendary: What it is, and where it's going

By Ed McGrogan

Published Thursday, Dec 05, 2024 01:13 PM

Leander Paes took part in one of the first 'Be Legendary' clinics this past July in Newport. The initiative will teach the rich history of tennis, provide memorable experiences with Hall of Famers and current tennis stars, and showcase what it means to Be Legendary.
Honorary President and fellow Hall of Famer Kim Clijsters also participated.
This program is designed to immerse young players ages 10 – 18 in the rich history of tennis, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and sharing the inspiring stories of legendary players who triumphed over adversity to achieve greatness.
Through these unforgettable Hall of Fame encounters, participants will experience the incredible possibilities that can arise from hard work, dedication, and a passion for tennis and sport.
At each Be Legendary site visit, student-athletes from local youth tennis programs will: 1) Engage with lessons centered around a Hall of Famer to learn what makes them legendary and how they exemplify tennis values on and off the court.
2) Meet the selected Hall of Famer and participate in a variety of tennis activities, including a circuit of tailored on-court drills and challenges.
3) Visit their local professional tennis tournament to engage with current stars of the sport.
To start the year, Be Legendary will launch in Melbourne, Indian Wells and Miami. Hall of Famers scheduled to participate include Kim Clijsters, Arantxa Sánchez-Vicario and 2025 Inductees Mike and Bob Bryan, and Rosie Casals, among others.
Be Legendary was piloted in 2024 with participation from Clijsters, Sánchez-Vicario, Andre Agassi, Chris Evert, Leander Paes, Martina Navratilova, Vijay Amritraj, Rick Draney, Tracy Austin, Gigi Fernandez, and Stan Smith. Students in the pilot program had the opportunity to study the inspiring stories of each of these Hall of Famers and then spend time with them in person, via Q & A sessions, one-on-one conversations and tennis programming.
Be Legendary programming will culminate with a “Legendary Weekend in Newport,” where outstanding participants selected from each youth organization will participate in a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Newport, Rhode Island to visit the International Tennis Hall of Fame during the 2025 Induction Celebration.
“At the International Tennis Hall of Fame, we believe the ability to be legendary lives in each of us,” said ITHF CEO Dan Faber. “That’s why we created this program - to leverage our platform in tennis to positively impact the lives of the next generation.
“By promoting the history of our sport, celebrating the champions who have paved the way, and providing memorable experiences, we can carry forward the legacy of tennis and deliver lasting impact that goes beyond the court.”
To get involved or learn more about the Be Legendary program visit tennisfame.com/belegendary.
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