On the evening of September 1, as the world’s best tennis players gathered in New York for the US Open Tennis Championships, City Parks Foundation (CPF) celebrated the next generation of athletes learning the game in neighborhood parks across the five boroughs. City Parks Foundation hosted its 28th Annual Billie Jean King Tennis Benefit at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center during the US Open, marking the first time since the event’s inception that Billie Jean King lent her name to its title, a reflection of her years-long partnership with CPF. The event raised more than $470,000.
Co-chaired by King and John McEnroe and supported by the USTA, the annual benefit raised critical funds for CityParks Play, which provides free tennis instruction that keeps thousands of New York City children healthy, active and learning a sport they can play for life. Tennis is one of the program’s cornerstone offerings, giving children across all five boroughs opportunities to build skills, confidence and friendships through free beginner lessons, tournaments, leagues, excellence programs and advanced coaching. The evening included a private reception followed by premium seating for the US Open evening session inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“As someone who learned to play tennis on a public court, I know firsthand that sports have the power to change lives when every young person has the opportunity to play,” said Billie Jean King. “City Parks Foundation helps make that dream a reality by bringing free tennis instruction directly into the city’s neighborhood parks, opening doors for thousands of youth each year. I’m honored that this benefit will carry my name, and I encourage everyone to invest in the next generation of players, dreamers, and changemakers.”
This year’s benefit honored tennis legend Kim Clijsters, alongside Peter Hurley, longtime marketer, industry leader and tennis executive who has helped connect millions of people to the sport while advancing community tennis, coaching and the preservation of tennis history. The event also recognized CityParks Tennis Lacoste Junior Academy player Jayden Howard with the 2026 Billie Jean King Junior Achievement Award.
“City Parks Foundation is thrilled to celebrate Kim Clijsters for her ongoing contributions to the sport and Peter Hurley for his longstanding commitment to City Parks Foundation and our mission,” said event co-founder Mike Silverman, Director of Special Projects and Strategic Advisor of Sports for City Parks Foundation. “Through their advocacy and support of the sport of tennis, they are helping us make life-changing opportunities possible for countless young people in New York City.”
A former World No. 1, Kim Clijsters is one of the most celebrated champions in tennis, having won four Grand Slam singles titles—including three at the US Open (2005, 2009, 2010) and one at the Australian Open (2011)—over a remarkable career that included 41 career titles and 20 weeks as WTA World No. 1 in both singles and doubles. Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2017. Clijsters now serves as the Hall’s honorary president and remains an ambassador for the game, inspiring the next generation of players.
Peter Hurley has spent more than 35 years expanding tennis’s reach and impact through innovation, leadership and service. He most recently served as CEO of the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR), the largest international organization of tennis teaching professionals, and earlier founded sports marketing agency Synergy. Hurley served 17 years on the Board of the International Tennis Hall of Fame and also served on the Board of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. His relationship with City Parks Foundation dates back to the 1990s, when he helped launch Tennis with the Pros, a series of free clinics in parks featuring legends including Serena and Venus Williams, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Proceeds from the benefit support City Parks Foundation’s free youth tennis programming and help ensure that all New York City children continue to have access to quality instruction, equipment, competition and mentorship.
The event also recognized 14-year-old Jayden Howard of Forest Hills, Queens with the 2026 Billie Jean King Junior Achievement Award for excellence in the CityParks Tennis program. Jayden is a rising tennis talent, who started in the program with little experience and is now playing at the tournament level. A rising freshman at Stuyvesant High School, Jayden credits the program with helping him get healthy and learn a sport for life.
This year’s benefit honored tennis legend Kim Clijsters, alongside Peter Hurley, longtime marketer, industry leader and tennis executive who has helped connect millions of people to the sport. The event also recognized CityParks Tennis Lacoste Junior Academy player Jayden Howard with the 2026 Billie Jean King Junior Achievement Award.
Billie Jean King.
Billie Jean King with Kim Clijsters, one of the most celebrated champions in tennis.
Billie Jean King with Jayden Howard.