yes, you are the president of the united states tennis association. so president obama every year gives the state of the union address. and, at some point he says, "the state of the union is strong." what's the state of tennis in america? >> the state right now is that it's positive. we're growing. and, if i can be as impactful as i think i'm being right now, you know sky's the limit for what we can do in growing tennis in america. >> how were you introduced to the game? >> i got lucky. i stumbled on it. i'm where i am today because of my parents. and because of that summer my parents were teaching summer school, and i was a tag-along little sister with my two brothers that were in a program that was sponsored by the martin luther king boys club in chicago. every summer, they had a different activity. that summer happened to be tennis. and happened to be four blocks-- >> really? >> --away from home, where we walked. i was six; they were-- i don't know 12 and 14. they hated tennis. i was the ultimate tomboy, because my oldest brother used to always, you

adams, she sits atop u.s. tennis as chairman of the board, ceo, and president of the united states tennis association it's been 133 years since we were founded, so it is an honor to be the first... i don't think i have to fight for it uh...i was just being me. >> adams' climb to the top took a decade, and now the first af

adams, she sits atop u.s. tennis as chairman of the board, ceo, and president of the united states tennis association>> it's been 133 years since we were founded, so it is an honor to be the first... i don't think i have to fight for it uh...i was just being me. >> adams' climb to the top took a decade, and now the first

adams, she sits atop u.s. tennis as chairman of the board, ceo, and president of the united states tennis association. >> it's been 133 years since we were founded, so it is an honor to be the first... i don't think i have to fight for it uh...i was just being me.

united states tennis association met the supreme court where the judge ruled this person is now a female she had to be allowed to play in the 197 7 u.s. open. she did and lost in the first round but made it to the doubles final where she lost to a tandem. how she played however, is immaterial. she was included. and at that moment the universe of women in sports expanded to include a transgender woman and critically that universe did not implode. renee reached number 20 in the wta rankings that year and played until 1981 but nowadays she looks back on her inclusion into pro sports with different eyes. she said "maybe not even i should have been allowed to play on the women's tour. maybe i should have knuckled under and said that's one thing i can't have as my newfound right in being a woman." a few years ago on espn, she said it this way. >> the standpoint of my own performance and my own strength and my own abilities, i'm not sure that i agree with the international olympic committee. >> but in many eyes renee remains a hero. part of the first class of inductees into the national gay and

. >> she is the first african-american and former professional player to lead the united states tennis association. we cat down with katrina to talk about getting minorities involved in the game. >> we are about growing the game putting people on the court, getting rackets in children's hands and keeping them in the game. it's about providing opportunities for inner city youth through our j.t.l. program. it's about inclusion. >> later tonight adams speaks about calling the shots at the u.s. open and her work in harlem creating champions on and off the court. there's tony playing tennis, by the way. you can see that full conversation at 6:30 eastern right here on al jazeera. >> a hidden black board unearths lessons learned 100 years ago. >> the new research that says what you need to know in preschool you can learn from a popular children's t.v. program. rs were kidnapped... >> this is what's left of the hospital >> is a crime that's under reported... >> what do you think... >> we're making history right now... >> al jazeera america >> welcome to al jazeera america. taking a look at today's top sto