Shaping Tomorrow’s Champions: Inside Be LEgendary's induction celebration experience
BE LEGENDARY, the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s global youth initiative, is shaping the next generation of leaders through character, compassion, and confidence. In August, that mission came to life in historic Newport, Rhode Island, during the second annual Legendary Trip to Newport. Twelve standout young athletes from around the world gathered for an unforgettable experience: celebrating the Hall of Fame induction of tennis icons Roger Federer and Mary Carillo.
Representing tennis communities across the globe, the 2026 cohort brought together an incredible group of young leaders, all of whom participated in Be Legendary activations around the world in the past year:
- Melbourne, Australia: Billie & Raymond (Tennis Australia)
- London, England: Sabrina (Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative / AELTC)
- Santa Barbara: Kate (Knowlwood Tennis Club)
- Miami: Mila (First Serve Miami)
- New York City: Kylie (New York Junior Tennis & Learning)
- New York City: Taylor (Kings County Tennis League)
- New York City: Hunter (Harlem Junior Tennis Education Program)
- Newport: Ingrid, Liam, Lester, & Chris (TeamFAME)
Over an unforgettable weekend, these 12 kids were active participants in all the Induction Celebration had to offer, and garnered valuable lessons and learnings from some of the legends in attendance.
Building Bonds Off the Court
What began as a group of nervous strangers quickly turned into a tight-knit community. Arriving with equal parts excitement and uncertainty, the participants quickly found common ground.
Between air hockey and ping pong matches inside the Chris Evert Learning Center (CELC) and relaxed dinners sipping Shirley Temples at the Surf Club, initial nerves gave way to easy laughter and genuine connection. Despite coming from vastly different backgrounds, the kids discovered how much they shared. Being part of the Be Legendary family means walking away with a lifelong network of supportive friends.
Connecting History to Core Values
Throughout the weekend, the group took part in hands-on leadership workshops inside the CELC. Working in small teams, they studied the legacies of Hall of Famers Roger Federer, Mary Carillo, Gigi Fernandez, and Bob & Mike Bryan. Instead of just memorizing facts, the students stepped up to teach their peers, focusing on four core values exhibited by four of the Hall of Famers in attendance:
Roger Federer: Gratitude
Mary Carillo: Communication
Gigi Fernandez: Positive Attitude
Bob & Mike Bryan: Teamwork
The workshop pushed everyone out of their comfort zones to practice public speaking while learning that true leadership is often about active listening and lifting others up. By setting personal goals to practice these traits daily, the kids saw firsthand that a legend’s true legacy isn't measured in trophies, but in character.
A standout museum moment was a tour with Original 9 pioneer and Hall of Famer Rosie Casals. Rosie spoke candidly about the courage required to fight for equal opportunities in women's tennis, giving the kids a front-row lesson in how determination creates lasting change across generations.
Unforgettable Moments with Tennis Icons
The schedule was packed with memorable interactions with the sport’s biggest names:
Althea Gibson Classroom Dedication: TeamFAME graduate Ingrid gave Hall of Famer Mary Carillo a tour of the CELC, sharing how TeamFAME built her confidence and gave her opportunities to give back locally.
Fit for Fame Welcomes: The cohort stole the show at the Fit for Fame dinner, welcoming Hall of Famers and guests as they arrived with high energy and welcoming smiles.
Wisdom from Legends: During panel sessions, the kids soaked in advice from Patrick and John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Andy Roddick, and Leander Paes, who shared stories about overcoming setbacks, patience, and staying grounded.
Fame Fest & The GOAT Shot: Kate from Santa Barabara pulled off the “GOAT Shot” of the weekend in the Fame Fest, acing the shot on her first try and celebrating with the group in a showcase of camaraderie.
Courting Fashion presented by Chubb at Marble House: Set against the backdrop of the iconic Marble House mansion, the group mingled with Hall of Famers like Rick Draney, Gigi Fernandez, Kim Clijsters, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, and the Bryan Brothers while taking in historic fashion displays.
Stepping onto Historic Grass
No trip to Newport is complete without stepping onto the Hall of Fame’s historic grass courts. The youth played on the same legendary lawn where champions have competed for over a century, hitting alongside Hall of Fame staff and their new friends. Later, during the Hall of Fame Celebrity Pro Classic presented by Fidelity Investments, they watched icons return to the grass for a friendly, competitive showcase.
A Bittersweet Finale
The weekend reached its peak at the Red Carpet Show and Induction Watch Party. After walking past icons like Billie Jean King, the group took front-row seats to watch Roger Federer and Mary Carillo officially take their places in the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
As the speeches wrapped up, the feeling in the room was bittersweet. All 12 students returned home with dynamic memories, inspiring mentors, and a global support system, ready to Be Legendary in their own right.
