THE APEX TIMES
Tennis pros bring Lexington Open mini pro-am to Golisano Children’s Hospital
Organizers say the event pairs visiting tennis players with children receiving care at the hospital for a structured, kid-focused tennis experience designed to provide a break from medical routines.
A group of tennis professionals connected to the Lexington Open held a mini pro-am at Golisano Children’s Hospital in Lexington on Saturday, bringing youth patients and their families a chance to interact with players and participate in a tennis-centered activity designed for a hospital setting.
According to WKYT, organizers said the mini pro-am is meant to give children who are undergoing tests and treatments an opportunity to do something active and memorable without having to leave the care environment. The event includes time for patients to hit tennis balls and engage directly with the visiting tennis pros.
Hospital staff and event organizers coordinated the gathering to fit within the daily realities of pediatric care. Organizers described the experience as a way to offer children a change of pace while they are at the hospital, including moments that focus on play and personal interaction rather than procedures.
The mini pro-am also functioned as a meet-and-greet for young fans, with organizers saying children were able to meet the athletes and spend time with them during the activity. For families, the setting offered an alternative to waiting rooms and schedules built around medical appointments.
WKYT reported that the mini pro-am is tied to the broader Lexington Open presence in the community. In that framework, the hospital event is presented as a local extension of tennis participation, with the emphasis placed on children and their families rather than competition.
Organizers said the format is designed to be accessible for children receiving care, with the goal of creating positive moments during stays that can otherwise be dominated by examinations and treatment plans.
The hospital event comes as pediatric institutions increasingly seek community partnerships that can be delivered safely and effectively within health care facilities. In this case, organizers framed the mini pro-am as a way to support morale and family experience for patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital during the time they are receiving treatment.
Why It Matters
- The event gives pediatric patients and families a community-focused activity during care, addressing the day-to-day experience of medical stays.
- Because it takes place inside a hospital, it demonstrates how major sports events can be adapted into structured activities for child patients.
- The mini pro-am highlights ongoing partnerships between local sports organizations and health care institutions serving children.
- The timing during a high-attention sports period can bring additional visibility to pediatric patient support efforts in Lexington.
Sources
Key Facts
- Tennis pros associated with the Lexington Open held a mini pro-am at Golisano Children’s Hospital in Lexington on Aug. 1, 2026.
- Organizers said the event is designed for children receiving medical care who may be undergoing tests and treatments.
- The mini pro-am included opportunities for children to hit tennis balls.
- Organizers said children also had the chance to meet the visiting tennis players.
- WKYT reported that the event was intended to create positive, memorable moments in the hospital setting rather than around routine medical activities.