Midwest

Staff picks: Best tennis moments of 2024

Molly Doehrmann | December 10, 2024

Ask any tennis fan what their favorite moment was from 2024 and a lot of them will have the same answers. Some will tearfully admit to never forgetting the day Rafa announced his retirement... Then there was the 2024 Paris Olympics. And sure, some of us won a big match or tournament because those personal victories keep us hungry for more. In my personal opinion, you won the lottery if you were at the US Open when Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce showed up and rocked out to "I Believe in a Thing Called Love." Swifties agree with me.

That said, our section was involved in some pretty cool tennis moments this year. Indy jet setters, and attendees of the Cincinnati Open and Chicago's National Tennis Month—they got to experience it for themselves. So we asked our staff to look back at 2024 and name their favorite tennis memories. The year is not over, but we have much to look forward to. Bring on 2025!

Promoting the game

CHAD DOCKTOR, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
 

"Hello USTA Midwest! I want to give you my biggest highlight for 2024. I want to give a shoutout to the marketing department for the outreach that we did showcasing tennis as the healthiest sport. I really enjoyed seeing the monitors and the exposure we got at the Indianapolis International Airport and the bus stops in Chicago. We're really thinking outside the box, and I love showcasing the health and wellness benefits of the sport."

 

Rajeev Ram wins silver

GREG BOYD, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY TENNIS

"My favorite tennis moment from 2024 was Midwest's own Rajeev Ram partnered with Austin Krajicek as they went and won the silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. All the matches were close; really good tennis, especially the match where they beat Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz."

 

Tennis camp at the Cincinnati Open

JESSICA LANGE, DIRECTOR OF COMPETITIVE TENNIS

 

"My favorite tennis moment from 2024 was when we hosted a Player Development Camp at the Cincinnati Open. It's a high-performance camp for some of our top juniors. We had 12 boys, 12 girls. They got to be on the grounds. They got tournament credentials and everyone just had a really good time. It was the second year we got to do it. So it was a lot of fun. And I do want to give an honorable mention. Another favorite tennis moment was when Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce showed up at the US Open finals." SEE! Jess gets it.

Growing tennis in Chicago parks

TARA MOORE, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
 

"My favorite tennis memory was supporting our Chicago District with the recruitment of coaches and players for their programs across 34 locations in the Chicago Park District."

Indy welcomes back JTT Champs

KYLIE YORK, DIRECTOR OF DISTRICT SUPPORT
 

"My favorite moment from this year was having our JTT Championships back here in Indianapolis. It was a really cool event for the kids playing. There were several vendors there. We had Kona Ice and a photo van. Just a really fun time for the players and their families. Can't wait for what's to come in 2025!"



Watch our favorite moments in this short video!

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