The USTA Foundation Announces New Initiative With Venus, Serena Williams

The USTA Foundation has just announced that tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams are partnering with the organization to launch the Williams Family Excellence Program.

The foundation is the charity and social impact arm of the USTA (United States Tennis Association). The program featuring the Williams sisters has been organized to provide academic support, career pathways, and mentorship opportunities for young people from under-resourced communities.

The announcement was made from the U.S. Open, taking place in New York City.

“We are honored to have this program named after our family and are proud to partner with the USTA Foundation to help create the leaders of tomorrow,” said Venus and Serena Williams in a written statement. “Our parents always encouraged us to strive for excellence, and tennis provided us the platform and opportunity to follow our dreams and achieve those moments. We truly believe this program will continue using the sport to provide others the opportunity to dream big and leave their own marks.”

The initiative intends to help more than 2,500 young people, ages 13 to 25, each year by 2035, as the program will focus on career development and educational opportunities that will assist young people using tennis as a powerful catalyst for change.

“This initiative stands as a living legacy to the Williams family—a tribute not only to Venus and Serena’s extraordinary achievements on the court, but to the unwavering determination, sacrifice, and resilience that define their family’s journey,” said Kathleen Wu, President of the USTA Foundation Board of Directors. “They didn’t just break barriers—they paved a new road. And now, through this Initiative, that road will remain open for generations of young people from under-resourced communities, giving them the tools, the inspiration, and the opportunity to pursue greatness in all areas of life.”