PLAYER

Ronald Agenor

With a ATP high ranking of #22, Ronald sustained one of the longest careers in the history of the game (19 years). He had victories over some of the world’s greatest players of his generation including, Agassi, Connors, Annacone, Rosset, Leconte, Forget, Curren and Pat Cash, just to name a few. He reached the quarter finals of the French Open in 1989 and the fourth round of both the US Open and French Open in 1988.

After retiring from the game, Ronald started his tennis academy in Los Angeles, CA. and trained aspiring professionals, juniors, juniors seeking college scholarships and adults. He is the son of a former Haitian Diplomat at the United Nations and Minister of Agriculture of Haiti. He is the youngest of a family of six children and learned how to play tennis in Congo (Ex Zaire) in 1974 and discovered competitive tennis in Bordeaux, France. Ronald is also and Ambassador for Peace and Sport, an organization under the High Patronage of SAS Prince Albert II of Monaco.

CONTRIBUTOR

D.A. Abrams

D.A.’s accomplishments are too numerous to list without writing a book. He has been one of the most influential African-American leaders in tennis. As the first African-American Executive Director of the USTA Eastern Section from 2006-2012, he:

Established “Grow the Game” funding to aid member organizations in promoting and developing the growth of tennis. $1.5 million was allocated to be invested in local tennis programming.

Increased USTA Junior Team Tennis Unique Players from 692 to 6,393 in 2010. This was a 820% increase during the period, which was far above the USTA’s growth of 52% over the five year period.

Increased USTA Individual Membership from 43,606 in 2005 to 49, 255 in 2010. This was a 13% increase during the period, which was in line with USTA’s growth of 13% over the five year period.

As Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer (a department started in 2012), D.A. is playing a critically important role in diversity and inclusion in tennis. His experience includes defining and implementing the following:

Diversity & Inclusion is a strategic priority of the USTA and one of our core values. Diversity allows us to touch: ”all of America” and Inclusion allows “All if America” to touch us.

Our Diversity and Inclusion philosophy is to match the “Needs” of our customers with “D&I Related Solutions” in order to help them achieve their USTA related business goals and objectives.

D.A.’s accomplishments over the decades have enabled the diverse American population to, not only participate, but to flourish in the game of tennis.

CONTRIBUTOR

Desmond Margetson

Desmond was a nationally ranked player in the late 1940’s and early 1050’s. He captained the New York University tennis team and played #1 singles for the team. Between 1950 and 1954 he reached the round of 16 four time at the USTA Indoor National Championships and in 2000 was inducted into the New York University Athletic Hall of Fame.

In 1957 “World Tennis” magazine introduced Desmond as the “Father of Indoor Tennis” when he introduced the concept of the “Tennis Bubble” allowing for all-weather tennis. The New York Times again recognized him for his tennis bubble concept.

He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the USTA in 1957 for his contributions to tennis.