Venus and Serena Williams are partners in a new initiative that provides opportunities for young people in underresourced communities through tennis and education.
The Williams Family Excellence Program was announced at the US Open on Thursday, along with the USTA Foundation during the women’s semi-final match, with Venus Williams taking part in the on-court ceremony.
The program will focus on post-secondary education and career development, with the aim of reaching over 2,500 people aged 13 to 25 years and over a year by 2035. The USTA Foundation’s community-based organization provides non-competitive training to identify and recruit young people from resource-lack communities with athletic ability and economic needs, and to compete for no-cost or low-cost training, university recruitment, and competition.
Venus Williams played singles, doubles and mixed doubles at the age of 45 during this year’s US Open. Her sister Serena won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, with the sisters earning another 14 in doubles.