With a goal of making tennis more accessible to the public, the United States Tennis Association put together a free afternoon rally for the lunchtime crowd at Rockefeller Center that promoted the sport—and the first day of ticket sales for the U.S. Open. The association's managing director of marketing and communications David Newman worked with Overland Entertainment to coordinate entertainment on the rink (which became a court with nets and signage from USTA) and interactive tennis games where people practiced their volley, serve and forehand on the street level.
Young noteworthy players, including Andy Roddick and James Blake, and former mayor—and tennis supporter—David Dinkins were on hand to play while the band the Smithereens performed on the stage behind them. The rally is one of 75 that will take place across the country through May.
—Jill Musguire
