From Village Voice ad to vibrant LGBTQ+ tennis community
Metropolitan Tennis Group (MTG) has been bringing LGBTQ+ tennis players together in New York City for more than four decades. It all started in 1985 when Terry Fonville placed a small ad in the Village Voice, looking for other gay and lesbian players who wanted to hit the courts. About 20 people responded, and soon monthly meetups began—what would eventually become MTG's beloved doubles parties.
By 1987, MTG had become a formally organized volunteer-run community with elected officers and committees, laying the foundation for the organization we know today. In 1990, MTG was incorporated as a New York not-for-profit organization, creating the legal structure that continues to support its programs and community. Three years later, in 1993, MTG launched the Liberty Open, joining the international circuit of the Gay and Lesbian Tennis Alliance (GLTA). Today, the GLTA sanctions dozens of tournaments worldwide, reflecting the incredible growth of LGBTQ+ tennis from grassroots beginnings to a thriving international community.
MTG's beginnings came at a pivotal moment for the LGBTQ+ community. The mid-1980s in New York were marked by both hardship and resilience as people navigated the HIV/AIDS crisis while building stronger networks and safe spaces. Tennis became more than just a sport—it offered a way to connect, support one another, and create a sense of belonging.
Today, visibility and inclusion in sports have come a long way, even though there's still progress to be made. More athletes are competing openly and authentically, helping redefine what representation looks like in sports. MTG continues to play an important role by creating a welcoming space where everyone can play, compete, connect, and build lasting friendships—proving that competition and community belong together.
More than 40 years after that first Village Voice ad, MTG continues to grow—welcoming players from across New York City and the tri-state area, expanding programming, hosting internationally recognized tournaments, and strengthening community partnerships. What began with a single newspaper ad has become one of the largest and longest-running LGBTQ+ tennis organizations in the country, demonstrating the enduring power of tennis to bring people together.
Our MissionMetropolitan Tennis Group (MTG) is a volunteer-run, non-profit community that brings LGBTQ+ people together through the joy of tennis—creating a vibrant, inclusive space to connect, compete, and build lasting friendships on and off the court. |
🌈 P.R.I.D.E. – More than tennis. A place to belong.
At Metropolitan Tennis Group, tennis is just the entry point. What really brings us together is the energy, the people, and the shared belief that sport can build something bigger than itself. Everything we do is grounded in P.R.I.D.E.—Play, Relationships, Impact, and Development & Expansion—our four commitments to opening doors, bringing people together, giving back, and continuing to grow forward as a community.🎾 PlayWe make tennis accessible at every level—from first-timers to competitive players. Through social doubles nights, structured leagues like our Winter Doubles League and Summer Singles Ladder, and instructional weekends like Total Tennis, we create consistent, welcoming ways to get on court. | 🤝 RelationshipsWe turn tennis into connection. Weekly meetups, inclusive mixers, and community tennis parties bring together players across levels and backgrounds—turning casual rallies into friendships, networks, and a real sense of belonging beyond the court. | 🌈 ImpactWe play with purpose. MTG supports LGBTQ+ organizations through tournament and league proceeds. We also show up visibly at Youth Pride, using tennis as a platform for community and advocacy. | 🚀 Development & ExpansionWe grow the game and community together. MTG supports player development through instruction, structured play, and competitive leagues, while expanding access across the tri-state area. Events like the Liberty Open bring new players in and grow our reach internationally. |