Athletes with autism take center court at the US Open
Young athletes with autism participated in an event organized by Love Serving Autism and the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) during this year's US Open, highlighting a program that uses racquet sports as therapy to support developmental needs, physical health, and communication skills for individuals on the spectrum. The initiative, launched in 2017, has expanded to 77 sites across the U.S. and internationally, with over 6,000 participants last year alone. The program is supported by a range of therapists who work alongside coaches to help athletes improve motor skills, social engagement, and confidence. Love Serving Autism was founded in part due to the personal experience of its CEO Lisa Pugliese-LaCroix, a former professional tennis player and speech-language pathologist specializing in autism. The USTA has been a long-time partner since the program's inception.
