Global apparel retailer UNIQLO today launched its new Around the World with Roger Federer global event series at the iconic MoMA PS1 in Queens, New York. On a full-sized outdoor tennis court with surface artwork contributed by acclaimed artist KAWS, Federer hosted a session to benefit juniors from New York’s Kings County Tennis League, an organization supporting underserved NYC communities through tennis.
Part of the UNIQLO Next Generation Development Program, Around the World with Roger Federer connects Federer to world cities and their communities, with an emphasis on supporting and developing young people. With a fun, festival-style atmosphere at today’s New York launch, Federer hosted a coaching session for Kings County juniors on a tennis court in the MoMA PS1 courtyard, featuring surface artwork by KAWS. Participants were delighted by the special opportunity to hone their on-court skills with advice from one of the world’s greatest ever tennis players. During the session, one young player from Kings County Tennis League served a powerful ace, impressing Federer, who said “That would beat me!” to much applause from the audience.
A fun Q&A session for participating juniors followed the coaching session, where the kids heard directly from Federer about the off-court skills required to make it as a professional athlete and community leader. During the session, kids served Federer a volley of their own burning questions and then received Federer’s powerful return; honest and insightful responses passing on invaluable wisdom gained from over two decades as a tennis champion and public figure.
Speaking at the event, Federer said, “I was very pleased to help launch UNIQLO’s Around the World with Roger Federer series today. It was fantastic to meet kids from Kings County Tennis League. Young people are our future, and to play a role in their development was a great experience. I hope they feel as inspired as I do from our time together.”
Joe Ceriello, Executive Director, Kings County Tennis League, said, “We were thrilled to partner with UNIQLO for this once-in-a-lifetime experience with Roger Federer for the benefit of our children in New York. Inspiration is very powerful, and we are grateful to Roger Federer for his efforts to give back to the next generation.”
Another highlight of the day was a live, collaborative, art mural installation led by New York artist Hisham Akira Bharoocha. With contributions from participants, guests, and Federer himself, the mural was commissioned as a lasting gift to the community via Kings County Tennis League, to help efforts in attracting and supporting youth from underserved NYC communities through tennis. Closing out a great day for the community, Federer added his own creative contribution to the live mural, while also making time for photos with guests. Federer thanked the community for joining him in the day’s celebration of tennis, art, and culture, and left participants from the Kings County Tennis League with some final words of encouragement for their future.
John C. Jay, President of Global Creative at UNIQLO parent company, Fast Retailing, capped a memorable event, saying, “What an extraordinary day in New York as Roger Federer helped to launch our global series of events to inspire the next generation of talent through tennis, art and culture. The energy at MoMA PS1 was electric.”
Upon leaving the event, a delighted parent, and her young son-a huge fan of Roger Federer-expressed joy and gratitude for the chance to attend. “It was a really wonderful event today. We’re very happy that UNIQLO and Roger Federer invited us to be a part of it.”
Following its launch today in New York, Around the World with Roger Federer will now continue its tour of global cities, with the next installment scheduled later this year on a different continent. Just like the New York launch, the purpose of future events in the series will be to nurture young people’s development and to celebrate tennis, art, and culture, while also making a lasting contribution to communities in the host city. More details will be announced when available.
