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Reuters

American players Jessica ⁠Pegula and Frances Tiafoe said tennis was moving in the right direction on diversity as Tiafoe highlighted increased representation at the top of the game and the financial barriers facing young players.
Pegula said the sport’s global reach was one of its strengths, pointing to players from ‌around the world and the varied fan bases they attract.
“I think the best part of tennis is there is so much diversity,” Pegula told reporters ahead of the US Open. “Everybody from around the world can play.”
Pegula cited representation among black players, as well as the growth of tennis in Asia because of the likes of Alexandra Eala of the Philippines and China’s Zheng Qinwen.
“You see talent from all over the world,” she said. “I think it’s honestly one of the most diverse sports.”
Eala, who won her first WTA title this month, will start her US Open campaign against American Mary Stoiana, while Zheng came through the qualifying rounds to face Russia’s Kristina Liutova.

Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong, meanwhile, also made it out of the qualifiers but faces a daunting first-round opponent in American 20th seed Tommy Paul at around 12.10am on Monday, Hong Kong time.
The ‌New York setting of the US Open shares that diversity, Pegula said.
“You see a lot of different countries and fans and different types of people come out and support ‌who they love to support,” she said.
Tiafoe said representation in the women’s game had been ⁠strong for years and ⁠pointed to an increasing number of players from a range of backgrounds competing near the top of the men’s game.
Tiafoe and France’s Arthur ‌Fils made history at the Cincinnati Open last week when they became the first black players to face each other in an ATP 1000 ‌tournament final. “That’s a huge thing,” Tiafoe said.

Still, Tiafoe said access remained a major challenge in ‌tennis.
“USTA is doing great getting underserved community kids to play the game,” he added. “Obviously, so many things cost; racquets, ⁠strings, coaching, shoes, whatever.”
The USTA’s 2026 US Tennis Participation Report said 3.7 million Black Americans played tennis at least ⁠once in 2025, an increase of more than 450,000 players from the previous year.
The report also showed broader changes in the demographic profile of US tennis players. Hispanic/Latino players accounted for 19 per cent of participants in 2025, up ‌from 18 per cent in 2024, while Asian/Pacific Islander players accounted for 11 per cent, unchanged from the previous year.
While he said the sport was progressing, Tiafoe cautioned that affordability could not be solved quickly.
“Yeah, it’s going the right direction,” he said. “It’s not something that’s going to change overnight. Cost is cost, right? It’s got to come from somewhere.”


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US Open (tennis)

Rise of Asian players Eala, Zheng points to progress on tennis’ diversity at US Open: Pegula

Zheng Qinwen of China came through the qualifying rounds of the US Open and will face Russia’s Kristina Liutova in the first round. Photo: Xinhua

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines won her first WTA title this month. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong faces a tough task against American Tommy Paul. Photo: EPA

Philippine tennis trailblazer Alexandra Eala poised to bring fervent following to US Open

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines playing against Iva Jovic of the US during Fan Week at the US Open on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Alexandra Eala’s fan following keeps growing, says ex-world No 4 Mary Joe Fernandez. Photo: AFP

The Hong Kong law trainee taking her skills on the netball court into the city’s courtrooms

Zenia Wong sees plenty of comparisons between elite netball and a career in the law. Photo: Elson Li

Zenia Wong says self-confidence and inner strength are key to playing netball. Photo: Zenia Wong

Zenia Wong (third from left, second row) with her University College London teammates. Photo: Zenia Wong

Sport

Tennis

American Jessica ⁠Pegula says growth in number of black, Asian players shows sport’s global reach; Coleman Wong to start early Monday morning


American Jessica ⁠Pegula says growth in number of black, Asian players shows sport’s global reach; Coleman Wong to start early Monday morning.


Rise of Asian players Eala, Zheng points to progress on tennis’ diversity at US Open: Pegula

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}American Jessica ⁠Pegula says growth in number of black, Asian players shows sport’s global reach; Coleman Wong to start early Monday morning

American Jessica ⁠Pegula says growth in number of black, Asian players shows sport’s global reach; Coleman Wong to start early Monday morning