The Dirk Nowitzki Foundation’s 7th Annual Tennis Classic turned the T Bar M Racquet Club in Dallas into a lively celebration of fun, philanthropy, and competition on Saturday. Nearly 1,000 fans packed the indoor venue to watch a mix of NBA stars, MLB legends, and even a few celebrities go head-to-head on the tennis court—all for a great cause: supporting community programs in North Texas.
Among the notable names showing up to support the event were NBA Hall of Famer Steve Nash, Mavericks’ newest sensation Cooper Flagg, Rangers legend Elvis Andrus, former Mavericks star Devin Harris, NBA All-Star Joakim Noah, ex-tennis pro CoCo Vandeweghe, actor Boris Kodjoe, and Dude Perfect co-founder Coby Cotton. But at the heart of the event was none other than Dirk Nowitzki, whose vision for this charity event has turned it into a standout fundraiser in Dallas.
From Humble Beginnings to a Dallas Tradition
As he looked back at the event’s early days, Dirk Nowitzki couldn’t help but chuckle. What started as a small gathering at SMU seven years ago has evolved into a massive annual fundraiser with major corporate sponsors backing it.
“Seven years ago at SMU, we didn’t really know what we were doing,” Nowitzki admitted with a smile. “We just pulled some friends and sponsors together to get it started. Today, we’ve got major corporate sponsors on board, and it’s taken the event to another level.”
For Nowitzki, shifting from baseball to tennis after the pandemic wasn’t so much about the sport itself but more about creating a sustainable platform for raising funds.
“This is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” he shared. “Every dollar we raise goes right back into the community. We don’t have a big staff or overhead. Our foundation focuses on food drives and supporting organizations that do great work but don’t have the resources to fundraise at this scale.”
And the results speak for themselves: “This year alone, we’ve already given out more than a quarter of a million dollars, and with the funds raised this weekend, we’ll be able to do even more.”
Celebrities Rally for a Good Cause
Dirk Nowitzki couldn’t emphasize enough how crucial the support from celebrities has been in making this event a success. He shared a memorable story about reaching out to actor Ben Stiller in the early years.
“The support from celebrities has been incredible,” Nowitzki said. “I saw that Ben Stiller followed me on Twitter, so I slid into his DMs. He responded right away, saying he’d love to get involved. That was one of the coolest moments. Even this year, people are flying in from places like L.A. and New York to support the foundation.”
Steve Nash, who has been a long-time friend of Nowitzki, was quick to show his admiration for the work done by the foundation. “Honestly, I don’t have much of a choice—he’s one of my best friends, so of course I’ll be here,” Nash joked. “But more importantly, Dirk and his family have done incredible work with the foundation. Supporting friends is one thing, but when they’re making a real impact in the community, it’s even more meaningful.”
A New Chapter for the Mavericks’ Rising Star
One of the highlights of this year’s event was the presence of Cooper Flagg, the Mavericks’ highly anticipated No. 1 overall pick. While Flagg didn’t compete on the tennis courts, his participation was seen as a valuable opportunity for the young player to connect with the Dallas community.
“Just showing up means the world to us,” Dirk Nowitzki said. “We want to give him a good experience, introduce him to community leaders, and help him get an early start with Mavs fans.”
Nowitzki couldn’t contain his excitement when discussing Flagg’s potential on the court. “The hype was real,” he said. “He’s barely 18, but the way he reads the game and his athletic skills are special. The sky’s the limit for him.”
However, Devin Harris was more cautious in his assessment. “He’s very young, raw, but extremely gifted,” Harris said. “People should give him a little grace to figure things out, but I think he’ll fit well.”
Steve Nash added a perspective that highlighted the unique challenges Flagg faces as the No. 1 pick. “Usually, the No. 1 pick gets to make mistakes and learn from them,” Nash explained. “But with Cooper, he’ll need to be efficient early—play defense, make plays, do the little things. That’s a different challenge, but it might actually accelerate his development.”
Fun and Laughter Among Friends
While the focus was on tennis, the event was also full of laughs and playful banter among the celebrities. Steve Nash was asked about any rivalry with Dirk Nowitzki on the court, and he responded with his signature deadpan humor: “As far as a rivalry, I’d say it’s beneath me. I don’t think about him when I wake up or go to bed.”
Joakim Noah, known for his tough defensive play in the NBA, took a different approach when asked if his skills could translate to tennis. “I’m not really a tennis player, but I’m very hard to lob over—be careful with that,” Noah joked.
Even Devin Harris joined in the fun, humbly admitting that it had been years since he last played tennis. “Dirk told me five years ago that it would be my last invite,” Harris said with a smile. “But he called me last week, and of course, I said yes. I’ll stick to my forehand and just try to get the ball back over the net.”
Looking Ahead: The Mavs, the Media, and the Future
Beyond the tennis tournament, Dirk Nowitzki also offered his thoughts on the Mavericks’ upcoming season. “It all depends on health,” he said. “When’s Kyrie coming back? Can AD stay healthy? But if they stay healthy, they have depth and versatility, and that’s a great place to start.”
Both Nowitzki and Nash are also preparing for their new roles as broadcasters with Amazon. Nash was excited about the opportunity. “It’s a great challenge for us, and doing it together makes it even better,” he said. “We’re just going to be authentic and see where it takes us.”
For Nowitzki, this is all part of a bigger plan. He hopes his foundation will be a lasting legacy in Dallas, one that will carry on long after he’s stepped away from the spotlight.
“I want the foundation to be part of my legacy,” Nowitzki said with a softer tone. “We’re getting our kids involved already, and eventually, I want them to take over when I’m too old. Hopefully, the work continues long after me.”
It’s clear that Dirk Nowitzki’s vision for his foundation is already taking root, with laughter, community spirit, and a future full of promise.
