Space City Tennis hosted the inaugural USTA Orange Ball tournament on May 2, 2026, at the Frank Black Middle School tennis center, drawing strong local participation and highlighting growing interest in youth tennis.
Sixteen young players competed in the two-hour round-robin event, which used the USTA's beginner-friendly Orange Ball format tailored for ages 6–10. The low-compression balls and modified court sizes enabled longer rallies and greater success for developing athletes.
Led by Coach Koko (Karen Hackett), a team of four coaches was stationed at each court to guide the young players. They reinforced the rules, called lines fairly, and kept energy levels high throughout the matches.
"The kids were fantastic today," said Coach Koko.
"You could see the excitement in their eyes every time they hit a good shot. This is exactly why we do this — to grow the game and give local children a positive, competitive outlet right here in their own neighborhood.
Two key aspects made this event special.
Participants could avoid the entry fee by completing one hour of community service. The second aspect was that the parents did not have to travel a great distance to find an Orange Ball tournament for their children,
The event aligns with a nationwide surge in tennis participation.
According to the USTA's 2025 Tennis Participation Report, youth involvement (ages 6–17) increased by 200,000 players nationally, contributing to a record 27.3 million total U.S. players. In Texas, tennis reached a historic high of 2.6 million participants in 2025, with strong gains among younger players.
Organizers noted the solid turnout as clear proof that the Oak Forest community is eager for competitive tennis opportunities. Parents stayed to cheer, creating an energetic atmosphere at the Frank Black Middle School's enhanced four-court facility.
Coach Koko, the CEO of Space City Tennis, commented that all players received recognition for their effort, with special nods for sportsmanship and improvement. And hopes this successful debut will become an annual tradition and a gateway to more advanced USTA youth programming in the area.
For information on future events, visit Space City Tennis.
Writen by Don Hackett
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