On behalf of the United States Tennis Association of South Carolina, we are saddened to share the passing of a beloved member of our family, Steve Zalinski.
A native of Chicago and standout player at DePaul University, Steve built an extraordinary tennis career as a player, coach, industry leader, and advocate for the sport. After moving to South Carolina in 1992, he quickly became a respected figure in our tennis community.
Steve “Z” dedicated his life to growing tennis. Whether through his work with Dunlop, his leadership as South Carolina’s Tennis Service Representative (TSR) with USTA Southern, or his countless volunteer hours at tournaments, schools, parks, and adaptive tennis programs, Steve’s impact was felt throughout every corner of the game. He was passionate about introducing young players to tennis, supporting junior development, and making the sport welcoming and enjoyable for everyone.
Steve’s contributions were recognized with numerous honors, including:
• 1996 USTA South Carolina Tennis Family of the Year
• 2002 Honorary Chairman of the Palmetto Championships
• 2011 USTA Southern Marilyn Sherman Spirit Award
• 2016 USTA South Carolina Special Recognition Award
• Induction into the SC Tennis Foundation Hall of Fame in 2017
More important than any award, however, was the way Steve treated people. He believed deeply in good sportsmanship, respect, and kindness. He made everyone feel valued, whether they were a top-ranked player, a beginner, a fellow volunteer, or a young child picking up a racquet for the first time.
During a 2016 interview, Steve reflected on his years as a Tennis Service Representative, saying, “I’ve been in tennis, golly for 50 years…doing what I love to do because I love people and I love tennis…this job has been a highlight of my life…I’ve met so many great people.”
He was a beloved member of our tennis family, Hall of Fame inductee, mentor, volunteer, and friend to so many across our state and beyond.
Steve’s warmth, generosity, and joyful spirit will be greatly missed, but the impact he made on the tennis community will continue for generations to come. His impact on South Carolina tennis, and the countless lives he touched, will never be forgotten. Thank you, Steve, for everything you gave to our tennis family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Steve’s wife Kathy, their daughters, family, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
In 2016, Steve Z sat down with USTA South Carolina to reflect on his years as a Tennis Service Representative – sharing his love for tennis, the people he met along the way, and the joy he found in growing the game.