Mayor Lurie, Roger Federer Celebrate Improved Tennis Courts at McLaren Park as Part of Lavar Cup Community Legacy Project

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Daniel Lurie today was joined by twenty-time Grand Slam champion and Laver Cup co-creator Roger Federer, Golden State Warriors President Brandon Schneider, city officials, community partners, and youth players to unveil six newly resurfaced public tennis courts at John McLaren Park. The renovation of the courts at McLaren Park will be the signature infrastructure investment of the Laver Cup Community Legacy Project, completed before the tournament’s San Francisco debut at Chase Center, September 19–21.

Ahead of the Laver Cup, San Francisco’s momentum as a sports city is rising, helping to drive the city’s economic recovery. The 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend generated $328 million in economic impact, drew 142,000 visitors from 40 states and 44 countries, and delivered $101 million in global media value. Professional soccer is also set to return with Golden City Football Club at Kezar Stadium, supported by a $10 million investment to modernize the venue for pro play and community use. Looking ahead, the Bay Area will host FIFA World Cup matches and Super Bowl LX, bringing an expected $1 billion in combined impact.

“San Francisco is thrilled to host this year’s Laver Cup. When we host global events like the Laver Cup—or the NBA All-Star Game, Super Bowl, and World Cup—visitors fill our restaurants, support our businesses, and contribute to our communities. And these events bring energy not just to Chase Center but to the entire city, including right here at McLaren Park,” said Mayor Lurie. “On behalf of San Francisco, thank you to the Laver Cup Community Legacy Project for investing in our kids, our parks, and our future.”

“From the beginning, the Laver Cup has been about more than just three days of competition—it’s about leaving a lasting legacy in the communities we visit,” said Roger Federer. “To see these courts restored here in San Francisco, with the support of partners like Mercedes-Benz who have been alongside me for many years, is really special. I hope they inspire the next generation to pick up a racket and enjoy this great game.”

Projects like the McLaren Park resurfacing project ensures that the benefits of the Laver Cup extend to residents in every community. The project at the park includes new drainage to ensure year-round playability, building on the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department’s commitment to tennis. 

With one of the nation’s most comprehensive municipal programs, Rec and Park maintains courts across the city and ensures the sport remains accessible through free and low-cost play, affordable lessons, clinics, and community leagues for players of all ages. Partnerships with schools and nonprofits lower financial barriers and provide scholarships, while initiatives like the Tennis and Learning Center ensure young people benefit and Douglas Goldman Tennis Center in Golden Gate Park, these investments make San Francisco a national model for accessible, community-based tennis.

“Tennis has always been part of San Francisco’s DNA—it’s a sport that builds resilience, discipline, and joy,” said Phil Ginsburg, General Manager of San Francisco Recreation and Park Department. “The McLaren Park upgrades, including better drainage for more playable days, give players of all ages a first-class place to grow their game. It’s another example of why San Francisco is home to one of the nation’s strongest public tennis programs.”

The improved courts will serve as a home base for Youth Tennis Advantage (YTA), part of the USTA Foundation’s National Junior Tennis and Learning network—co-founded by Arthur Ashe to combine tennis with education and mentorship for youth from under-resourced communities. The Laver Cup Community Legacy Project supports Bay Area youth programming at YTA and East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutoring through a multi-channel fundraising effort that included premium auctions, Laver Cup Open Practice Day ticket sales, and limited-edition merchandise.

The Laver Cup is a joint initiative between TEAM8, Tennis Australia, the USTA, and Jorge Paulo Lemann and is an official part of the ATP Tour calendar, with results recorded on official player records. The Laver Cup is supported by Founding Partner Rolex and Global Sponsors UBS, Mercedes-Benz, and Alipay+.