LEXINGTON, Ky. — Professional tennis players competing in the Lexington Open faced their toughest opponents last week not on the tournament courts, but at the University of Kentucky's indoor tennis facility, where pediatric patients from Golisano Children's at UK held their own in the third annual mini pro-am event.

The event, held between daily matches at the Hilary J. Boone Tennis Center and sponsored by White, Greer & Maggard Orthodontics, gave young patients an opportunity to play alongside UK athletes and professional tennis players. The experience transformed the children from patients into competitors, if only for an afternoon.

"The best part of this event is seeing kids discover what they're capable of," said John Backer, president of the Lexington Open. "Some are picking up a racket for the very first time, and by the end, you can see that spark — maybe this is a sport they'll want to keep playing."

The young competitors, including 9-year-old Noah and his sisters, made their mark on the court with unpredictable serves that tested even the professionals.

Golisano Children's at UK, formerly known as Kentucky Children's Hospital, is a comprehensive pediatric health care center that serves as the regional referral center for central and eastern Kentucky. The 2026 Lexington Open, part of the ATP Challenger Tour and ITF Women's World Tennis Tour, benefits patients at Golisano Children's at UK as well as UK's men's and women's tennis programs.

For the professional players, the mini pro-am offered something their typical matches could not: a chance to compete without keeping score, following standard rules, or worrying about rankings. Instead, they focused on providing guidance and encouragement to a new generation of tennis enthusiasts.