Vicki Datlow expresses her thanks for the USPTA Diversity and Inclusion Grant

Early in my tennis junior days in Baltimore I was made aware how different and difficult it was for so many of my minority tennis friends. Mid Atlantic was not a friendly place. Players were dropped out of draws and opportunities were not always available.

As Tennis Director in the early ‘70s in Columbia, Maryland I was able to host a Mid Atlantic championship for junior players when many Washington DC area clubs were not able to include minority players. Not only did we (Columbia Community) host the tournament with housing available for all but we dedicated the tournament to Dr Walter Johnson, Arthur Ashe’s coach. Dr Johnson brought his then top junior Juan Farrow who won the championship and achieved a #1 ranking that year.

Providing opportunities for our wonderful sport has been most important to me over my long career in tennis. Throughout the years I have seen many changes and many players who have been given the opportunity succeed both in tennis and in life through tennis.

I am especially proud to present this USPTA Grant check to Jeri Ingram, former WTA Player and one of Mid Atlantic top ever players. I gave her first tennis lessons. The USPTA Grant will support Jeri’s players in her nationally acclaimed NJTL Excellence Team program for players to use at the Montgomery TennisPlex. Montgomery TennisPlex is most probably one of the largest and most diverse programs in the Mid Atlantic growing so many champions on and off the court.