The annual Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day powered by Net Generation celebrated the start of the U.S. Open with a full-day tennis and music festival for families on Saturday, August 24th. This year, for the first time courtesy of the USTA Foundation, general admission promenade seats for the concert were free of charge.
Named after tennis legend Arthur Ashe–co-founder of the National Junior Tennis League (NJTL) and the only African American man ever to win the singles title at Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, and the Australian Open–the festival brings together rising tennis talent with family-friendly entertainment. The 2019 Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day celebrated 50 years of NJTL, which brings tennis to 180,000 children participants per year.
Rafael Nadal at the Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day
Tennis star Sloane Stephens is a fan favorite amongst the kids
For Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens, select NJTL kids competed in a series of obstacle courses and training exercises as tennis legends Sloane Stephens, Rafael Nadal, Coco Gauff, the Bryan Brothers, and Novak Djokovic signed balls for the audience.
Co-host JD McCrary dances with fans before the show
JD McCrary, the voice of young Simba in the new “Lion King” film, and actress-singer Meg Donnelly hosted the entertainment portion of event with Radio Disney. Clad in sponsor Polo Ralph Lauren, the co-hosts introduced Austin Mahone, who captured the audience with both his dance moves and powerful voice during a performance of his new single, “Dancing with Nobody.”
Austin Mahone wows the crowd with his performance
Donnelly, the next singer to the court, sashayed in a sequined jacket as she belted her latest track. MAX, clad in a yellow suit, performed his hit song “Love Me Less” with featured artist Quinn XCII and a full band.
MAX (left) and Quinn XCII before their electrifying performance
Their high-energy performance lit up the court, making way for Blanco Brown’s dance lesson for the audience to his country trap song “The Git Up.” MTV’s VMA-nominated artist Ava Max closed out the afternoon with her performance, flexing her star power with two back-up dancers and a catchy track.
Ava Max signs an autograph for a fan
The Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day made for a sunny Saturday afternoon for families to participate in the buzz of the U.S. Open and enjoy the stadium performances by hit singers and iconic tennis players.