The United States Tennis Association (USTA) is facing a lawsuit from the family of William "Slew" Hester, the creator of the National Tennis Center in Queens. The family claims that the USTA is erasing Hester's legacy and squeezing them for nearly $500,000, violating a decades-old settlement agreement. Hester, a former USTA president and oil man from Mississippi, played a pivotal role in the US Open's history. In the 1970s, he spotted the Singer Bowl, a city-owned facility, and convinced officials to build Louis Armstrong Stadium, which hosted the US Open. This move brought the competition to a more prominent and lucrative location, and Hester was rewarded with lifetime box seats for him and his heirs, as well as a memorial plaque and a namesake restaurant. However, the USTA's attitude changed after Hester's death in 1993. They charged the family a $45,000 annual fee for seats in Arthur Ashe Stadium, placing them in a corner with blocked sightlines. This led to a 1998 settlement agreement, which included better seats, bus and restaurant passes, and continued lifetime rights to attend the Open, provided the family paid the fee and the competition was held at the National Tennis Center. The Hesters allege that the USTA has consistently undermined this agreement, increasing the seat price to $215,416 in 2025 and eventually removing their box in the $800 million renovation. The USTA then offered the family inferior seats at a staggering $460,000, which would rise to $560,000 by 2030. This decision is seen as an attempt to diminish Hester's legacy and freeze the family out. Adding to the family's grievances, Slew Hester's memorial plaque has been removed, and no explanation has been provided. The USTA's actions have sparked a lawsuit, with the family demanding justice and recognition of Hester's significant contributions to the US Open and the USTA. This case highlights the complex relationship between sports organizations and their historical figures, and the potential consequences of neglecting the legacies of those who paved the way for future generations.
