Vania King highlights AAPI event at the US OPen
Wednesday, August 23, 2023 — Wednesday at the US Open was all about advancing the mission of the Asian American Pacific Islander Tennis Association. Former US Open doubles champion Vania King and other volunteers were on hand for a special tennis and sports clinic on the US Open grounds.
Formed a year ago, the AAPITA seeks to increase AAPI representation in tennis and King, born in California to Taiwanese parents, is the president of the AAPITA. Other notable members of the organization include US Open chief medical officer Dr. Alexis Colvin; professional wheelchair tennis player Dana Mathewson; and former world No. 1 doubles player Rajeev Ram.
“At the end of the day, I believe it is empathy that drives us toward the quest to equity,” King said earlier this year. “If we connect with and celebrate others, we will champion everyone's right to fair and equal opportunity.
"AAPITA hopes to support the AAPI community with a multi-faceted approach: celebration, education, advocacy and community.”
In addition to a tennis clinic, Wedensday's event also featured arts and other cultural activations, including a martial arts tutorial. A day prior, on Day 1 of US Open Fan Week, the Chinatown Young Lions performed a traditional lion dance to mark the start of, and bring good luck to, the tournament.
Ying Yen, executive director of the New York Chinese Cultural Center, said that blending "all activities, like tennis, sports, cultural activities and the arts" can only have a positive benefit on young children.
"I think the USTA did a great job of bringing all of these art forms together through sports," she said.
Lopa Zelinski, AAPITA and USTA Eastern board member, added: "We've very grateful to the USTA and USTA Eastern, who have dedicated a great amount of time and resources in the efforts to elevate this platform."
