MEET

Katrina M. Adams

GLOBAL SPEAKER l AUTHOR l ANALYST l LEADER

Katrina Adams has a remarkable record of accomplishment in leadership and innovation as the first African American to head the USTA, serving as Chair and President from 2015 to 2018 and as the first former player in that role. Under her leadership, the USTA opened the National Campus and transformed the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center while promoting tennis in underserved communities.

A former WTA Tour player for 12 years, Adams won 20 Doubles Titles. In 2024, she received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Northwestern University and was honored with the 2023 IOC Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Champions Award for her advocacy in sports. Recently, she was elected Honorary Life Vice President of the International Tennis Federation after eight years as Vice President.

Adams has chaired the Billie Jean King Cup Committee and the Advantage All Committee and was a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame Executive Board. She currently serves on the Billie Jean King Cup Limited Board and as the Chair of the International Tennis Hall of Fame Induction Committee. She also serves as Executive Director/President of the Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program and has roles in private sector boards, including Athletes Unlimited. A global speaker and commentator, her debut novel, “Own the Arena,” was published in February 2021.

BOARDS SERVED:

HONORS & HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS

 

HONORS:


Forbes Magazine
Most Powerful Women in Sports (2017 + 2018)

NAMIC
Mickey Leland Humanitarian Achievement Award (2017)

Ebony Magazine
Power 100 List (2017)

Adweek Magazine
The Most Powerful Women in Sports List (2016 + 2017)

Sports Business Daily
Game Changers (2015) 

The Network Journal
25 Influential Black Women in Business (2015) 

U.S. Tennis Association
Eastern Section Woman of The Year (2010) 

Sam Lacy Pioneer Award
National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) (2009) 

U.S. Tennis Association
Service Bowl Award (2007) 

Spirit of Harlem
Award (2007) 

WTA
Althea Gibson Achievement Award (2003) 

WTA
Player Service Award (1989)

 

HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS:


RSPA
Hall of Fame (2024) 

Chicagoland Sports
Hall of Fame (2021) 

Boys & Girls Club of America
Hall of Fame (2016)

USTA Eastern Section
Hall of Fame (2015) 

ITA Women’s Collegiate Tennis
Hall of Fame (2014)

Black Tennis
Hall of Fame (2012) 

Chicago District Tennis Association
Hall of Fame (2009)

USTA Midwest Section
Hall of Fame (2007) 

Northwestern University
Hall of Fame (1998)

 
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“You will not find a more relatable, humorous and authentic leader than Katrina. Her trailblazing journey of resilience and success as "the first" from the community courts to the top of tennis leadership serves as an inspiration for us all.” 

STACEY ALLASTER, USTA CHIEF EXECUTIVE, PROFESSIONAL TENNIS