Bryan brothers, Kim Clijsters help connect youngsters to history with "Be Legendary"

INDIAN WELLS, Calif.—Here at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, when they’re not watching tennis, attendees each day and night greatly enjoy the venue’s array of food, fashion, equipment and shopping opportunities.

They’ve also got the chance to participate in the game’s history at the International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) booth. Since few sports can rival tennis as a sport where its fans both watch and participate, why not give them the chance to engage directly with the legends? The ITHF’s “Letters to Greatness” initiative provides an opportunity for fans to write letters and record videos of appreciation for this year’s inductees, Maria Sharapova, Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan.

In large part, this is the ITHF’s way of bringing history to the people. For at one level, there’s the ITHF’s headquarters in Newport, Rhode Island that’s currently undergoing a thorough renovation, with the revamped facility set to reopen in May. But then, particularly for a sport as global as tennis, there’s the opportunity to share so much of this history with fans—perhaps best of all at WTA and ATP Tour stops, where present and past converge.

Another similar ITHF effort: “Be Legendary.”

According to the ITHF, “Be Legendary is an International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) initiative designed to inspire and empower youth (ages 10-18) at tennis programs around the world by offering them unique access to the history of the sport, its values, and legendary players. The goal of the program is to teach kids all the incredible life lessons the sport has to offer through the lens of the Hall of Fame, help them foster a deeper connection to the sport, and encourage them to find their personal greatness, both on and off the court.”

“Be Legendary” events have already been held this year at the Australian Open and the ATP stop in Dallas, and it came to life at the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday, March 8 inside the ITHF booth. The ITHF’s honorary president, Kim Clijsters, hosted two dozen youngsters from Desert Hot Springs High School and Grassroots Junior Tennis, a local non-profit. Earlier in the week, about 50 youngsters hit with Kim, Bob and Mike on their school's actual courts.

According to Grassroots Junior Tennis founder and executive director Kay Butler, “This is eye-opening for a lot of the kids. They’ve never even seen a professional tennis player, much less talked to one. One little girl said, ‘I want to be like Kim.’”

“The connections and memories we’re able to make with ‘Be Legendary’ have been incredible,” said Clijsters. As a child, Clijsters’ historic role models were Stefanie Graf and Monica Seles.

“My sister and I would play and pretend we were each of them... tennis players can become role models.”

Hearing Clijsters, long considered one of tennis’ exemplary sportswomen, share her journey proved to be engaging, educational, and inspiring.

“I could really relate to her because I’m about gratitude, having integrity, doing the right thing when no one’s watching,” said Merilen Hernandez, a high school senior who lives in Palm Springs. “Knowing and learning about Kim Clijsters was awesome.”

Read More: International Tennis Hall of Fame launches “Be Legendary” youth program

One of the “Be Legendary” sponsors is the Manitou Fund, a philanthropic organization.

“We are very grateful to have been given the opportunity to provide part of the seed funding to launch the Be Legendary program and support the International Tennis Hall of Fame in preserving and promoting the sport’s history,” said Nora McNeely Hurley from Manitou Fund. “This initiative not only honors the legacy of past players but also inspires young athletes, creating a meaningful impact on their lives, their families, and their communities. A particularly valuable aspect of the program is its global adaptability, as well as its integration with other tennis initiatives and partners, such as the USTA Foundation.”

The “Be Legendary” program next heads to the Miami Open, followed by events in London during Wimbledon, in Newport around the ITHF’s new Challenger events, and at summer’s end in New York, timed with the US Open.