The Dirk Nowitzki Foundation’s 7th Annual Tennis Classic turned T Bar M Racquet Club into a mix of playful competition, nostalgia, and philanthropy on Saturday. Nearly a thousand fans gathered for the indoor exhibition, which featured stars from the NBA, MLB, and beyond while raising money for community programs across North Texas.
Among those in attendance were NBA Hall of Famer Steve Nash, Mavericks No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, Rangers legend Elvis Andrus, former Mavericks guard Devin Harris, former NBA All-Star Joakim Noah, ex–Top 10 tennis player CoCo Vandeweghe, actor Boris Kodjoe, and Dude Perfect co-founder Coby Cotton. At the center of it all was Nowitzki, whose vision has turned a small idea into a cornerstone fundraiser.
A Humble Start Becomes a Dallas Tradition
Nowitzki reflected on how uncertain the event felt when it first launched seven years ago at SMU. His words carried a mix of humor and pride about how far things have come.
“Seven years ago at SMU, we didn’t really know what we were doing,” Nowitzki said. “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.”
He explained that shifting from baseball to tennis after the pandemic was less about the sport itself and more about creating a sustainable fundraising platform.
“This is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” Nowitzki said. “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—like those we do at the Hero Center for Mother’s Day and Thanksgiving—and we support organizations across the Metroplex that do great work but don’t have the resources to fundraise at this scale.”
Then, with a grin, he described the practical payoff of that support.
“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,” Nowitzki said.
Dirk Nowitzki Appreciates Celebrity Backing
To emphasize how vital outside support has been, Nowitzki shared a personal story about recruiting unlikely names in the early years.
“The support from celebrities has been incredible,” Nowitzki said. “I’ll never forget the first year or two—I knew Ben Stiller liked tennis, but I had no way to reach him. I saw he followed me on Twitter, so I just slid into his DMs out of nowhere. He responded right away, saying he’d love to be involved. That was one of the coolest things. Even this year, people are flying in from L.A. and New York to support the foundation.”
Nash made clear that his presence wasn’t just about friendship—it was about honoring the work the foundation has accomplished.
“Honestly, I don’t have much of a choice—he’s one of my best friends, so of course I’ll be here,” Nash said. “But beyond that, Dirk and his family have done great work with the foundation. I always try to support friends and family, but when people are also making a real impact in the community, that makes it even more meaningful.”
For Andrus, participation carried less polish and more self-deprecation, as he admitted how rusty his game was while underscoring why he wanted to be there.
“No, I haven’t played in probably 10 or 13 years,” Andrus said. “But I’ve been practicing a little the last couple of weeks, so hopefully I can at least send the ball back over the net.”
He followed with a statement that revealed his pride in standing alongside Nowitzki.
“It’s all for fun today,” Andrus said. “But really, it’s an honor to be here and be part of Dirk’s foundation. He’s not only a great basketball player, but also a role model. For me, as a Texas athlete, I’m proud to support what he’s doing for kids and the community.”
Cooper Flagg’s Early Connection to Dallas
For Nowitzki, involving Flagg was about giving the Mavericks’ newest star a chance to connect with the city in a more personal way. While Flagg did not take part in the tennis action, Nowitzki stressed that his presence alone carried weight for a young player just beginning his professional journey.
“Having Klay [Thompson] last year and Cooper this year is great,” Nowitzki said. “Just showing up means the world to us. We want to give him a good experience, let him meet community leaders, and get an early head start with Mavs fans.”
Nowitzki pointed out that this year’s situation differed from last year, when Klay Thompson eagerly jumped into the event. After spending more than a decade with the Golden State Warriors, the appearance gave Thompson valuable early exposure to Dallas fans as he adjusted to his new surroundings.
Pressed for his basketball impressions of Flagg, Nowitzki spoke with the excitement of someone who knows the weight of carrying a franchise.
“The hype was real,” Nowitzki said. “The sky’s the limit. He’s barely 18, but the way he reads the game already, plus his athletic skills, is special. He can score in multiple ways, defend multiple players, and he’s super versatile at a young age. That’s rare. If he keeps working, the sky’s the limit for him.”
Harris was more cautious, reminding fans of the adjustment period ahead.
“He’s very young, raw, but extremely gifted,” Harris said. “There’s talk about him even playing point guard and having the ball in his hands, which is rare for an 18-year-old. He’s not a finished product, so people should give him a little grace to figure it out, but I think he’ll fit well.”
Nash put Flagg’s challenge in perspective, noting that his path as a top pick is unlike most.
“Usually the No. 1 pick goes somewhere and gets to make mistakes, take a ton of shots, and learn through volume,” Nash said. “Cooper will have to be efficient early—guard, cut, play-make, do the little things. That’s a different challenge, but it might actually accelerate his development.”
Humor and Rivalries
The press conference wasn’t short on laughs. Nash leaned into deadpan humor when asked about competing with Nowitzki on the tennis court.
“As far as a rivalry, I’d say it’s beneath me,” Nash said. “I don’t think about him when I wake up or go to bed, so there’s no rivalry in my mind.”
Noah, asked about his defensive reputation translating to tennis, leaned into the physical presence that defined his career.
“I’m not really a tennis player, but I’m very hard to lob over—be careful with that,” Noah said.
Harris, meanwhile, embraced Nowitzki’s ribbing about his tennis game with humility.
“I haven’t played in about five years, and he told me then it would be my last invite,” Harris said. “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. And like Steve said, Dirk can’t move that well anymore, so maybe I’ll be okay.”
Basketball Conversations
Beyond tennis, the event opened the door for Nowitzki to give his assessment of the Mavericks. His measured tone reflected both optimism and realism.
“To me, it all depends on health,” Nowitzki said. “When’s Kyrie coming back, and will he be 100 percent? Can AD stay healthy? Lively has missed time before. But if they’re healthy, they have depth—at least two guys at every position—and can play multiple ways with Cooper’s versatility.”
Talk also turned to broadcasting, as both Nowitzki and Nash prepare for their Amazon roles. Nash kept his focus on authenticity.
“We’re really excited,” Nash said. “It’s a great opportunity to challenge ourselves in a new way, and doing it together makes it even better. If we can be authentic and grow into it, I think it will be a lot of fun.”
Nowitzki admitted he has been preparing like a rookie cramming for training camp.
“I’m getting anxious now,” Nowitzki said. “When I signed on last year, it felt far away, but it starts next month. Honestly, I never thought I’d be part of the media, but this was a great opportunity with great people. It feels like a startup project, and we’ll grow as the season goes along.”
Dirk Nowitzki’s Lasting Legacy
For Nowitzki, the heart of the day is not the tennis itself, but the bigger picture of building something lasting in Dallas. His tone softened when reflecting on the future.
“I want the foundation to be part of my legacy,” Nowitzki said. “We get our kids involved already, and eventually, I want them to take over when I’m too old. Hopefully, the work continues long after me.”
The laughter, the banter, and the packed stands made it clear that vision is already taking root.
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