Irvin Cantor When he was home from the University of Virginia, Irv used to work for the Richmond Tennis Patrons Association at Byrd Park. “I realize that job I had for the RTPA for those three summers was the best I ever had,” the former Thomas Jefferson High No. 1 and state champion said.”It was so much fun. I wasn’t that much older than the players. Many of them are my lifetime friends.

After being a member of UVA’s varsity team from 1971 to 1975, Cantor ran large junior tournaments and clinics for the RTPA in conjunction with Richmond’s Parks and Recreation Department. He later served as an assistant to Lou Einwick with the Richmond WCT Professional Tournament in the late 1970’s and to Bill Correll in 1980 with the City Tournament. These roles set the stage for years of often behind-the-scenes tennis contributions.”

Irv served as legal counsel and co-promoter for an exhibition with Bjorn Borg and Jimmy Connors at the Richmond Coliseum in the 1980’s, even flying to Philadelphia at the last minute to pick up the legendary lefty and fly him back to Richmond to barely make the event.

Irv continued to expand his involvement and served as co-director of WorldClass, Inc., where he promoted exhibitions around the country featuring players such as Borg, Connors, and Tanner. He also put together a pro tennis team for Best Products that included Richmond. nativesRodney Harmon, Mark Vines, and others.

Having been a ball boy at Byrd Park at age 15 when Arthur Ashe played Davis Cup there, Irv chaired a committee in 1992 to bring the Davis Cup finals to the Richmond Coliseum.

All along the way, Irv has stayed committed to growing tennis in Richmond. Since 2023, Irv has helped organize Tennis Under the Lights, the growing community summer series at Byrd Park and Battery Park. He is also currently working to bring a vision to life of public access indoor courts to benefit junior tennis at Byrd Park.

Irv is an active board member for the International Black Tennis Hall of Fame and today serves as the RTA’s vice president. In January 2026, Irv takes the reins as president—a wonderful full-circle moment, having worked for the organization five decades prior.