Arthur Ashe Kids' Day

Arthur Ashe Kids' Day is an annual tennis/children's event that takes place in the end of August at the United States Tennis Association at Arthur Ashe Stadium. (USTA) Center in Flushing Meadows, Queens, New York. It is sponsored by IBM and the USTA. This event also begins the U.S. Open, which officially starts one day later. This event was also televised on CBS the following day, until 2014 when it lost U.S. Open broadcast rights to ESPN. Beginning in 2015, the event airs on ESPN2. It is a celebration of the memory of Arthur Ashe, who died of AIDS in 1993, and of his efforts to help young people through tennis. Kids’ Day began in 1993, the year that Ashe died.

At the 2005 event, the United States Postal Service unveiled and issued the Arthur Ashe Commemorative Postal Stamp in the presence of the Ashe family.[1] The 2011 event originally scheduled for August 27, 2011 was cancelled in the wake of the forthcoming Hurricane Irene. This marked the first time the event was cancelled in advance. The 2020 and 2021 events were also cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participants at the Arthur Ashe Kids Day have an opportunity to play and/or watch numerous tennis matches before and after the main event at Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Center. The main event at the stadium consists of a concert and tennis matches. As people enter the stadium, they are handed hats to commemorate the event.

Tennis greats that have appeared annually at Arthur Ashe Kids Day include Venus and Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Novak Djokovic, Kim Clijsters, and Anna Kournikova, who play to entertain the children and families and to raise money for charity. Kids Day has been hosted by MTV VJ Quddus and sportscaster and ‘’Figure It Out’’ host Summer Sanders. Many popular singers have also performed at Kids Day, including Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, 98 Degrees, Bow Wow, Ne-Yo, Jesse McCartney, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, O Town, JoJo, Monica, Jonas Brothers, Ariana Grande, and many others. During the day many tennis stars sign autographs and take pictures with the children.

Events

DateHostTennis players[nb 1]PerformersOther celebritiesRef.
2nd Arthur Ashe Kids' DayAugust 23, 1997John McEnroe, Andre AgassiHansonBill Cosby[2]
3rd Arthur Ashe Kids' DayAugust 29, 1998Bill CosbyPete Sampras, Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Serena Williams, Venus WilliamsBackstreet Boys[3]
4th Arthur Ashe Kids' DayAugust 28, 1999Mark McEwenPete Sampras, Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Serena Williams, Martina Hingis, Patrick Rafter, Michael Chang, Mary PierceBritney Spears[4]
5th Arthur Ashe Kids' DayAugust 26, 2000Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Martina Hingis, Jennifer Capriati, Alexandra StevensonJessica Simpson, 98 Degrees[5]
6th Arthur Ashe Kids' DayAugust 25, 2001Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt, Martina Hingis, Serena WilliamsLil' Bow Wow and O-Town[6]
7th Arthur Ashe Kids' DayAugust 24, 2002Summer Sanders and QuddusAndre Agassi, Pete Sampras, James Blake, Andy Roddick, Serena Williams, Anna KournikovaMario, BBmak, and Vanessa Carlton[7][8]
8th Arthur Ashe Kids' DayAugust 23, 2003Summer SandersAndre Agassi, Andy Roddick, James Blake, Anna KournikovaDaniel Bedingfield, Monica, and Smash Mouth[9]
9th Arthur Ashe Kids' DayAugust 28, 2004Andy Roddick, Bob and Mike Bryan, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Jennifer CapriatiJoJo and Gavin DeGraw[10]
10th Arthur Ashe Kids' DayAugust 27, 2005Summer Sanders and QuddusAndy Roddick, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Lindsay Davenport, Martina Navratilova, Anna KournikovaRihanna, Jesse McCartney, and The Click Five[11][12]
11th Arthur Ashe Kids' DayAugust 2006Daisy Fuentes and QuddusAndre Agassi, Andy Roddick, James Blake, Serena Williams, Anna KournikovaNe-Yo, The Cheetah Girls, Cheyenne Kimball, and Teddy Geiger[13]
12th Arthur Ashe Kids' DayAugust 26, 2007Daisy Fuentes and QuddusRoger Federer, Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal, Sam Querrey, Serena Williams, Martina Hingis, Ana Ivanovic, Daniela HantuchováThe Jonas Brothers, Sean Kingston, Kat De Luna, and Lil MamaJohn Cena, Tony Hawk, Rob Thomas[14][15] see also 2007 Arthur Ashe Kids Day
13th Arthur Ashe Kids' DayAugust 23, 2008Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Novak Djokovic, Ana Ivanovic, Serena WilliamsDemi Lovato, Colby O'Donis and Menudo[16]
14th Arthur Ashe Kids' DayAugust 29, 2009Susie Castillo and QuddusRoger Federer, Any Roddick, James Blake, Serena Williams, Maria SharapovaJordin Sparks and Justin BieberWill Ferrell[17][18]
15th Arthur Ashe Kids' DayAugust 28, 2010Adrienne Bailon and QuddusRafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, Novak Djokovic, Kim ClijstersThe Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, Shontelle, and Allstar WeekendNick Cannon, Lindsey Vonn[19][20]
16th Arthur Ashe Kids' Day (cancelled)August 27, 2011La La Anthony and QuddusRafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Novak Djokovic, Kim Clijsters, David WagnerOriginal program: Jason Derulo, Cody Simpson, Jessica Jarrell, and Greyson ChanceBradley Cooper, Carmelo Anthony[21][22]
17th Arthur Ashe Kids' DayAugust 2012Jordin Sparks and QuddusRoger Federer, Andy Roddick, Novak Djokovic, Mardy Fish, Ryan Harrison, Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters, Sloane Stephens, Christina McHaleCarly Rae Jepsen with Owl City, Rachel Crow, The Wanted, and Mindless BehaviorMatthew Morrison, Missy Franklin, Brad Richards[23][24]
18th Arthur Ashe Kids' DayAugust 24, 2013Missy Franklin and QuddusSerena Williams, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, David WagnerFifth Harmony, Ariana Grande, Austin Mahone, Lawson, Coco Jones and Cazzette. Free concert: Before You Exit, Kenton Duty, Trevor Jackson, Megan Nicole, CityKids and Lucki Gurlz[25]
19th Arthur Ashe Kids' DayAugust 24, 2014China Anne McClain, Jeff Sutphen, and Shaun ThompsonSerena Williams, Victoria Azarenka, Novak Djokovic, Andy MurrayHunter Hayes, MKTO, The Vamps, Shawn Mendes, McClain and Madison Beer. Free concert: Hollywood Ending, Kalin and Myles, Zach Matari, Karina Rae and The Bomb Digz[26]
20th Arthur Ashe Kids' DayAugust 29, 2015Shaun T, Brooke TaylorSerena Williams, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Madison Keys, Marin Cilic.Bea Miller, Kalin & Myles, Jacob Whitesides, Natalie La Rose and American Authors. Free concert: Alessia Cara, Forever in Your Mind, Carson Lueders, Sweet Suspense, Jena Rose.
21st Arthur Ashe Kids' DayAugust 27, 2016Joey Bragg, Jordan Fisher, Laura MaranoSerena Williams, Venus Williams, Mackenzie McDonald, Monica Puig, Juan Martin del Potro, Jack Sock, Maria Sakkari, Louisa Chirico, Samantha Crawford, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal.Galaxy Empire All Starz, Citizen Four, Sophie Beem, Tegan Marie, Troye Sivan, Los 5. Free concert: Flo Rida, Forever in Your Mind, Zara Larsson, Ansel Engort.
22nd Arthur Ashe Kids' DayAugust 26, 2017Sofia Carson, Alex AionoRoger Federer, Venus Williams, Rafael Nadal, Angelique Kerber, CiCi Bellis, Frances Tiafoe, Ernesto Escobedo, Claire Liu.Skyler Steckler, Spencer Sutherland, Summer Valentine. Free concert: Why Don't We, New Hope Club, Saving Forever, Jack & Jack.
23rd Arthur Ashe Kids’ DayAugust 25, 2018Alex Aiono, Morgan TompkinsSerena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Angelique Kerber and Madison KeysCNCO, Echosmith and In Real Life, Kim Petras[27]
24th Arthur Ashe Kids' DayAugust 24, 2019Meg Donnelly, Morgan Tompkins, JD McCraryRafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Sloane Stephens, Coco Gauff, Bob and Mike BryanAustin Mahone, Blanco Brown, MAX and Ava Max[28]
25th Arthur Ashe Kids' Day (cancelled)August 23, 2020
26th Arthur Ashe Kids' Day (cancelled)August 28, 2021
27th Arthur Ashe Kids' DayAugust 27, 2022Venus Williams, Taylor Fritz, John Isner, Frances Tiafoe, Maria SakkariDude Perfect, Nicky Youre, Em Beihold, Young Dylan, Good NEWZ Girls, Brandon Hernandez
28th Arthur Ashe Kids' DayAugust 26, 2023

Notes

References