CPFT Members React to WTA Finals Moving to Queen City

The news landed where tennis feels most local: on a public court.

This week’s announcement that the Women’s Tennis Association Finals are moving to the Queen City has Charlotte’s tennis community talking, from competitive players to families picking up racquets at neighborhood parks. WBTV interviewed Charlotte Public Tennis Foundation’s board chair and executive director at the public courts at Freedom Park, where they connected the global spotlight of the WTA Finals with the everyday growth of tennis in Charlotte.

Readers can see the original WBTV report here: Tennis community excited as Women’s Tennis Association Finals move to Queen City.

For Charlotte Public Tennis Foundation, the announcement is more than a headline about a major professional event. It is an investment in the sport, and a chance to show how tennis can connect every level of the game.

The WTA Finals bring together top women’s players on one of the sport’s biggest stages. Having that event in Charlotte gives local youth players, adult league players, coaches, volunteers, and fans a closer look at elite tennis without leaving the city.

“These are the top players in the world who will be here. Not North Carolina, not the United States. The whole world will be convening on Charlotte.” - Aaron Mullennix, CPTF's Board Chair.

At Freedom Park, that connection was easy to see. Public courts are often where people first learn the game. They are where parents knock balls around with children, where high school players get extra practice, and where lifelong players keep showing up because tennis still fits into their lives.

Why the announcement matters for the Charlotte tennis community

The excitement around WTA Finals Moving to Queen City comes from what the event could mean beyond the arena.

Big tennis events can spark new interest. Someone who has never played may decide to try a beginner clinic. A junior player may ask for more court time. A volunteer may see a new way to support access to the sport. Local programs can use the attention to invite more people in.

That matters because public tennis depends on visibility and participation. Courts need players, and players need courts. Programs need community support. Young athletes need chances to see what is possible.

The WTA Finals moving to Charlotte also helps place the city more firmly on the tennis map. Charlotte already has a strong base of recreational and competitive players. This announcement gives that community a shared moment to rally around.

“We see what they’re able to do with bigger tournaments across the country... To have that kind of opportunity for girls that might be interested, or that maybe never thought it could be a possibility is so incredible.” - Gisele Firmino, CPTF's Executive Director

Bringing the excitement back to the court

WBTV went to a public court to hear from the local community.The setting of the interview matters. Freedom Park is not a private club or a closed facility. It is a public place where the game is visible and accessible. The WTA Finals will bring attention to the sport in Charlotte, but the lasting impact will depend on what the community does with that attention.

The announcement is a win for Charlotte tennis, and we at the Charlotte Public Tennis Foundation are looking forward to the opportunities and partnerships this will create for tennis, and how we can grow the sport together.

For more on this week’s announcement and local reaction, read the full WBTV story: Tennis community excited as Women’s Tennis Association Finals move to Queen City.