USTA Foundation

Frances Tiafoe Awards A $30,000 Scholarship To Louisville Player Via His USTA Foundation Fund

August 9, 2025 by Randy Walker Leave a Comment

Two-time US Open semifinalist Frances Tiafoe awarded rising junior and standout tennis student-athlete at the University of Louisville, Russell Lokko, with a $30,000 scholarship over two years through the USTA Foundation’s Frances Tiafoe Fund. The award will cover Lokko’s gap in scholarship money as he continues his education at Louisville. Tiafoe surprised Lokko with the news during a special behind-the-scenes experience Friday, August 8, 2025, at the Cincinnati Open.

Lokko grew up playing tennis at the NJTL of Trenton, a community organization part of the USTA Foundation’s National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network–the same network that supported Tiafoe’s early training at the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) in his hometown of College Park, Md. Co-founded in 1969 by Arthur Ashe, Charlie Pasarell, and Sheridan Snyder, the NJTL network is made up of over 270 organizations nationwide that use tennis and education to prepare young people from under-resourced communities for the challenges and opportunities of life.

During the visit, Lokko had the opportunity to meet Tiafoe, watch his practice, and shadow him around the tournament grounds, building a mentor-mentee relationship as they both continue on their tennis journeys. Lokko and Tiafoe also attended a professional soccer game together on August 7, 2025, and Lokko will sit courtside in Tiafoe’s player box during his first-round match on Saturday, August 9, 2025.

USTA Foundation Announces Mackie McDonald College Fund

March 10, 2025 by Randy Walker Leave a Comment

The USTA Foundation, the charitable arm of the United States Tennis Association Incorporated (USTA), along with professional tennis player Mackenzie (Mackie) McDonald, today announced the launch of the USTA Foundation’s Mackie McDonald College Fund (Fund), a new initiative that will provide individual player grants to high school seniors who will continue their tennis careers at the collegiate level. The Fund will directly support student-athletes who progressed through the tennis-playing pathway via the USTA Foundation’s National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network, a nationwide group of more than 250 sports-based community organizations that use tennis as a tool to prepare young people from under-served communities to be ready for their futures, wherever their lives take them.

McDonald, who has reached a career-high world No. 37 in the ATP singles rankings and No. 49 in ATP doubles rankings, and famously defeated Rafael Nadal in the second round of the 2023 Australian Open, had a stellar Division I collegiate career before turning professional. A native of Piedmont, Calif., McDonald competed for the UCLA Bruins from 2014-16, earning All-America honors all three years. He finished his final season ranked No. 1 in singles and doubles in the ITA collegiate rankings and swept the NCAA singles and doubles titles in 2016, making him the first man in 15 years–and just the fifth since 1974–to accomplish the feat.

Through the USTA Foundation, McDonald is now using his experiences and platform to inspire the next generation of college-bound students to realize what’s possible and hopes this Fund will help young people understand the importance of education, and foster their personal growth in sports and beyond.

“Going to UCLA turned out to be one of the best decisions I made in my life, and for my life, and I’m happy to be playing a part in helping young people chase their college dreams, on and off the court,” McDonald said. “Working towards ensuring that all young people, no matter where they come from, are able to unlock all the benefits that higher education has to offer is a responsibility that means so much to me, and I can’t wait to see how this Fund supports not just young people and their education, but their families and communities.”

“The Foundation’s Mackie McDonald College Fund is not about supporting college scholarships; it’s about preparing young people for the challenges they will face on and off the court at one of the most critical points in their lives,” said Ginny Ehrlich, USTA Foundation CEO. “Mackie is committed to cultivating the next generation of leaders who are prepared to achieve their dreams in whatever field they choose. Mackie’s success is a testament to the invaluable lessons that come through balancing academics with athletics, and we are thrilled to have him walk alongside us in our mission to empower these talented students with the tools they need to succeed as they grow into well-rounded adults and positively contribute to their communities.”

Individual player grants are just one of the many ways the USTA Foundation supports its NJTL network, which was co-founded in 1969 by cultural icon Arthur Ashe, along with Charlie Pasarell and Sheridan Snyder. Today, the USTA Foundation helps provide over 168,000 young people nationwide access to opportunities that reach far beyond the game of tennis, including social and emotional learning programs, academic support, scholarships, and career and college readiness services. McDonald is the second professional tennis player to support the USTA Foundation through an eponymous fund; the USTA Foundation’s Frances Tiafoe Fund was launched in 2023.

To learn more about the Mackie McDonald College Fund and the USTA Foundation, please visit ustafoundation.com and follow @USTAFoundation on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

USTA Foundation To Honor Andy Roddick

June 25, 2024 by Randy Walker Leave a Comment

The USTA Foundation, the charitable arm of the United States Tennis Association Incorporated (USTA), announced that tennis legend and former world No. 1 Andy Roddick will be honored with the Serving Up Dreams Award at the USTA Foundation’s annual Opening Night Gala on Aug. 26 at the US Open.

The Serving Up Dreams Award is presented to an individual or individuals who embody the values of dedicated service, and help advance the USTA Foundation’s mission and the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network. Created in 1969 by pioneering tennis legend and humanitarian Arthur Ashe, for whom Arthur Ashe Stadium was named 27 years ago, along with Charlie Pasarell and Sheridan Snyder, the NJTL network provides more than 150,000 under-resourced youth each year with access to free or low-cost tennis and academic programming along with other enrichment opportunities to help prepare them for the challenges and opportunities of life.

In the midst of an impressive junior tennis career that netted him several titles, including a US Open and an Australian Open junior singles championship, Roddick established his eponymous nonprofit, the Andy Roddick Foundation, at the age of 17. The foundation, which serves thousands of youth and families in central Texas, aims to help close the learning gap for low-income students by offering enrichment programs outside the classroom that provide growth opportunities in literacy, STEM, art and sports.

“I was nine years old when I first picked up a racquet and realized that tennis was what I wanted to do with my life. I found my passion early on, and many young people just don’t have that,” said Roddick. “No child should ever miss out on their potential because they didn’t have an opportunity. That’s why this honor means so much to me – it’s all about helping the next generation of kids to become the best version of themselves, regardless of their circumstances.”

In his 12-year professional career, Roddick spent 13 weeks ranked No. 1 and finished nine straight years in the ATP Top 10 rankings from 2002 to 2010. He won the 2003 US Open and secured five Masters 1000 crowns. Roddick appeared in the US Open finals, again in 2006, as well as the finals three times at Wimbledon, and was also an integral part of the U.S. Davis Cup team. He was instrumental in the 2007 defeat of Russia for the U.S.’s 32nd Davis Cup victory and currently ranks second on the all-time U.S. Davis Cup list with 33 singles victories. Roddick was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2017.

“Andy is not just a legend for his accomplishments on the court – he is also a role model and source of inspiration for his achievements off the court,” said USTA Foundation CEO Ginny Ehrlich. “Even as a teen climbing the ranks of the professional tennis world, he keenly understood the importance of using his platform to uplift communities in need. We admire his important work through his foundation in helping youth pursue their dreams, and we are proud to honor him with this award.” To learn more about the USTA Foundation, please visit ustafoundation.com and follow @USTAFoundation on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

USTA Foundation Grants 49 High School Students Nearly $1 Million In College Scholarships

August 14, 2023 by Randy Walker Leave a Comment

The USTA Foundation, the charitable arm of the United States Tennis Association Incorporated (USTA), announced that it has granted 49 high school students a variety of college scholarships totaling $995,000.

Each year, the USTA Foundation awards scholarships to deserving youth who have participated in organized youth tennis programs such as the USTA Foundation’s National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network, have demonstrated high academic achievement and require financial assistance for college matriculation.

“These 49 deserving student-athletes embody the core values of the USTA Foundation,” said Kathleen Wu, USTA Foundation Board President. “We look forward to cheering them on during their college career and wherever life takes them.”

Below is a list of this year’s scholarships and awardees:

Marian Wood Baird Scholarship Award (student receives a $15,000 award)
Awarded to one high school senior who has excelled academically, demonstrated achievements in leadership and participated extensively in an organized community tennis program, the Marian Wood Baird Scholarship was created by the Baird family and named in honor of the late Marian Wood Baird, who had been recognized by the USTA for more than 40 years of volunteer service. The 2023 recipient is Jayna Dunwoody (XS Tennis Foundation).

Dwight F. Davis Memorial Scholarship (students each receive a $20,000 award)
The Dwight F. Davis Memorial Scholarship is granted to two high school seniors who have performed with distinction and have actively participated in extracurricular activities, community service and an organized tennis program. The award is named for Dwight Filley Davis, who began playing tennis at the age of 15 in 1894. In 1900, the year he graduated from college, Davis purchased a commemorative silver bowl as a prize for an international lawn tennis competition, marking the birth of the Davis Cup. Davis became president of the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association in 1923. His grandson, Dwight F. Davis III, created the scholarship to honor his grandfather’s achievements and contributions to tennis. The 2023 recipients are Gabrielle Henderson (MACH Academy) and Mohamed Shahabuddeen (15-Love/Capital Region).

Dwight Mosley Scholarship Award (students each receive a $20,000 award)
This scholarship was named in memory of Dwight A. Mosley, the first African American elected to the USTA Board of Directors. The Dwight Mosley Scholarship is available to high school seniors of ethnically diverse heritage who have excelled academically and participated extensively in an organized community tennis program. Applicants must demonstrate sportsmanship on and off the court. The 2023 recipients are Yasmin Fisher (James Lewis Tennis & Education) and Flex Howard (South Atlanta CTA).

Rosalind P. Walter Scholarship Award (students each receive a $20,000 award)
This scholarship is named in honor of the late Rosalind Palmer Walter, who was responsible for funding the first USTA Foundation scholarship in 1994, well before a comprehensive program was put in place. Mrs. Walter’s commitment to tennis and education didn’t stop with her service to the USTA Foundation Board. She served on the boards of the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Long Island University, and was a trustee of WNET Channel Thirteen and the Paley Center for Media. During World War II, Mrs. Walter was a riveter, where she worked the night shift on a Corsair, building the F4U marine gull-winged fighter airplane and is the inspiration for the 1942 song “Rosie the Riveter.” She took tremendous pride in knowing that the hard work, dedication and precision she put into her job helped save lives. The 2023 recipients are Angelei Kennedy (South Atlanta CTA) and Kaleem Muhammad (Washington Tennis & Education Foundation/Junior Tennis Champions Center).

Eve Kraft Education & College Scholarship (students each receive a $20,000 award)
The Eve Kraft Education & College Scholarship is bestowed upon two high school seniors who have excelled academically, meaningfully served their communities, played tennis in an organized program and reside in an economically-disadvantaged community. This scholarship is named in memory of Eve Kraft of Princeton, N.J., a tennis pioneer who introduced thousands of young people to tennis, particularly in disadvantaged areas. The 2023 recipients are Yunuen Padilla (Marty Hennessy) and Carter Watson (Tennis Rocks).

FILA’s Jonathan G. Epstein Spirit of Tennis Scholarship and Martin Mulligan Sr. Spirit of Tennis Scholarship (students each receive a $15,000 award)
The Spirit of Tennis Scholarships presented by FILA provide access and opportunity to students through the USTA Foundation’s NJTL network and were named in honor of two individuals who helped FILA establish its roots in tennis: former President of FILA North America Jonathan G. Epstein, and longtime Global Tennis Marketing Executive Martin Mulligan Sr. The Spirit of Tennis Scholarships are awarded on an annual basis to two high school seniors who have high academic achievements and demonstrate good character, community leadership and sportsmanship. Each scholarship recipient receives $15,000 over the course of four years to cover costs of tuition, school-based expenses, and educational materials. The 2023 recipients are Anthony Nguyen (Tenacity, Inc.) for the Jonathan G. Epstein Spirit of Tennis Scholarship and Imani Jean (Junior Tennis Champions Center) for the Martin Mulligan Sr. Spirit of Tennis Scholarship.

Novo Nordisk Donnelly Scholarship
(students each receive either a $10,000 award or a $5,000 award)
This scholarship is named in honor of Tracey Donnelly Maltby and Diane Donnelly Stone, who along with their father, Bud Donnelly, all played Division I collegiate tennis while affected by the challenges of Type 1 diabetes. These scholarships are awarded to students who answered an essay question and who are entering a four-year college or university program, intended to support the student’s cost of tuition, educational materials, and other related expenses at the college or university the student selects. Each national scholarship recipient will receive $10,000, and each regional scholarship recipient will receive $5,000, paid directly to the college or university in which the student is enrolled.

The 2023 national recipients are Chelsea B. (Naples, Fla.) and Deuce D. (San Antonio, Texas). Chelsea and Deuce will both meet & greet with tennis legend Billie Jean King at the 2023 US Open.

The 2023 regional recipients are: Anna B. (Enfield, Conn.), Shelby F. (Kalamazoo, Mich.), John “Jack” G. (Martin, Ga.), Spencer K. (Yukon, Okla.), Ella K. (Forty Fort, Pa.), Isabella L. (Batavia, Ill.), Gabriela M. (Miami), Ellizabeth M. (Syracuse, Utah), Kaylin S. (Toccoa, Ga.) and Lauren W. (Abingdon, Va.).

Nora McNeely Hurley Leadership Award
(students receive either a $20,000 award or a $40,000 award)
The Nora McNeely Hurley Leadership Award is bestowed upon high school seniors who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and tennis skills. The 2023 recipients are:

Donald Lawson Tisdel Scholarship
(students each receive either a $20,000 award or a $40,000 award)
The USTA Foundation annually awards the college education scholarship to high school seniors who have excelled academically, demonstrated community service and participated in an organized tennis program. In 2017, the USTA Foundation named its largest college scholarship fund the Donald Lawson Tisdel College Scholarship Fund. Tisdel was a passionate proponent for the sport and a staunch believer in the power of tennis and education to touch and enhance lives. These scholarships are awarded annually to high school seniors who have excelled academically, demonstrated community service and participated in an organized tennis program such as National Junior Tennis and Learning. This year’s Donald Lawson Tisdel Scholarship recipients are:

For more information on the USTA Foundation scholarships, please visit ustafoundation.com and follow @USTAFoundation on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

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USTA Foundation Incorporated (USTAF or USTA Foundation), the national charitable arm of the United States Tennis Association Incorporated (USTA), utilizes the powerful combination of tennis and education to enhance the lives of under-resourced youth through its support of the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network. For more than 50 years, NJTL has impacted thousands of youth across the nation, and today the network features more than 270 chapters. The USTAF supports these chapters by providing financial grants, scholarship opportunities, curricula, technical assistance, and training. USTAF raises money and public awareness through private donations, corporate sponsorships, foundations, and fundraisers, including the US Open Opening Night Gala, and various Pro-Ams, to name just a few. To date, the USTA Foundation has awarded approximately $64 million in grants and scholarships. For more information on the USTA Foundation, visit www.ustafoundation.com, or stay connected through Facebook and Instagram (at @USTAFOUNDATION).

USTA Foundation Raises $12 Million In 2022

December 21, 2022 by tennisbloggers Leave a Comment

The USTA Foundation, the charitable arm of the United States Tennis Association Incorporated (USTA), raised $12 million in 2022, the second year of the Foundation’s “Rally for the Future” campaign. USTA Foundation President Kathleen Wu also announced that the campaign goal for Rally to the Future would be raised to a three-year total of $30 million by the end of 2023. After two years of the three-year campaign, Rally for the Future has exceeded its original $20 million goal, with more than $22 million raised since 2021.

“We are beyond excited to have met our original goal so soon and I’m optimistic that this new goal will be met, and possibly exceeded, by the end of 2023,” said Wu. “I’m humbled and grateful that the tennis community has stepped up with such enthusiasm and passion to help us change lives through tennis and education.”

More than $7 million of those donations have been utilized to provide support, services and funding for National Tennis & Learning (NJTL) chapters, which support under-resourced youth through free or low-cost tennis and education programs. Additional funds will continue to be utilized for ongoing programming including NJTL chapters, grants and scholarships. The USTA Foundation funded more than $435,000 in scholarships for 46 student leaders in 2022.

In 2022, the USTA Foundation launched its improved annual NJTL enrollment two months ahead of its historical timeline. The updated process will categorize chapters based on a set of criteria and is crucial for measuring performance outcomes as well as increasing the number of programs above 300. The USTA Foundation has impacted over 125,000 youth across the country in 2022, and will grow in 2023 through this improved enrollment process.

When it came to fundraising in 2022, $3 million of the year’s total was raised during the USTA Foundation Gala on Opening Night of the 2022 US Open, honoring Kevin Martinez and ESPN. The USTA Foundation Gala’s sponsors included ESPN, Jersey Mike’s, Cadillac, Chase, Rolex, Deloitte, and the USTA.

The USTA Foundation also received a $4 million donation from sponsor Jersey Mike’s through its fundraising campaign, with 20% of its nationwide sales from one weekend in September benefiting the USTA Foundation. USTA Foundation Chairperson Chris Evert was featured in the Jersey Mike’s commercials that touted their campaign.

The Rally for the Future fundraising campaign continues towards its $30 million target by 2023 to support planning and building the future strength of NJTL chapters.

“The impact that the USTA Foundation has made this year in local communities is incredible thanks to our sponsors, donors, Board Members, and the entire NJTL Network,” said Dan Faber, USTA Foundation Chief Executive. “The lasting influence of the NJTL programs is visible at every level, from local communities to collegiate programs and even on the pro tours.”

The USTA Foundation had many highlights in 2022 through these key programs, scholarships and collaborations, including:

Lulu’s Place— Anticipated to break ground in 2023, Lulu’s Place will be an extraordinary nonprofit youth center in Los Angeles. The USTA Foundation is proud to be a founding supporter of Lulu’s Place, which aspires to be a game-changer for L.A. youth, especially those from disadvantaged households, by offering students access to top-quality sports facilities, as well as athletic and academic programming, for little or no cost. The project is rooted in the belief that all children have the potential to achieve greatness when given the education, resources and support they need to thrive.
2022 College Scholarships: Each year, the USTA Foundation awards college scholarships to deserving high school seniors who show excellence both on and off the court. In 2022, the USTA Foundation granted over $435,000 in scholarships to 46 students from the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network of chapters to help them realize their dreams of attending college. Eleven of these scholarships were awarded to Excellence Program participants.
USTA Foundation Impact Conference: This inaugural conference brought together 180 NJTL chapter leaders, industry subject matter experts and renowned speakers focused on capacity-building initiatives and how best to increase program outcomes. In addition, NJTL leaders nationwide collaborated by sharing best practices and innovative program examples.
USTA Foundation Excellence Program: This program features NJTL youth who are chosen based on their elite level of tennis ability, educational outcomes, and commitment to the pathway to becoming student-athletes at the collegiate and professional levels. In 2022, over $385,000 in team grants supported programming in 19 markets and an additional $225,000 supported individual players. The program participants continue to achieve new milestones. Clervie Ngounoue achieved a career-high ITF World Junior Ranking of No.10 and won her first Grade 1 ITF Junior World Tournament. Clervie was also a member of this year’s Junior Billie Jean King Cup team, clinching the winning match for the team. Jelani Sarr reached the Top 100 in the ITF Junior Rankings with a career-high of No. 88, and was a participant in the main draw of the US Open Junior Championships and the Wimbledon Junior Championships. Jelani has won multiple ITF junior titles this year including the J3 in Coral Gables and the J3 in San Jose. Jelani is currently committed to playing varsity tennis for the University of South Carolina. The USTA Foundation funded six national activations for over 250 of these student-athletes, aged 10 to 18, with events being held in cities including San Diego, Orlando, Fla., Washington, D.C., College Park, Md., and New York.
USTA Foundation Social Media Channels: the USTA Foundation made its mark on Instagram (@ustafoundation) and returned to Facebook in 2022, connecting with NJTL chapters, players, celebrities and other USTA Foundation supporters online to share the Foundation’s story.

To learn more about the USTA Foundation, please visit ustafoundation.com

Sloane Stephens Becomes USTA Foundation’s First National Excellent Program Ambassador

November 4, 2019 by tennisbloggers

The USTA Foundation, the national charitable arm of the United States Tennis Association, has announced that it has appointed 2017 US Open Champion and world No. 23 Sloane Stephens as the National Excellence Program Ambassador. Stephens will kick-off at the Excellence Program College Pathway Camp on Nov. 8 at the USTA National Campus in Orlando.

In her new role, Stephens will help to promote the five pillars of the Excellence Program including Individual Player Grants, Coaching Education, Activations, College Preparation support and a Team component, while supporting the USTA Foundation’s overall mission, its programs, and player success stories.

“It’s an honor to join the USTA Foundation as the National Excellence Program Ambassador. Our shared missions to change lives through tennis and education are vital to making tennis accessible and fun for many children. I’m looking forward to sharing my tennis story and pathway with all of our Excellence Team players. And I look forward to seeing the impact of our work.”

Through its partnership with USTA Player Development, the USTA Foundation Excellence Program is designed to provide underserved junior tennis players from under-resourced populations an opportunity to fulfill their coaching, equipment, tournament and travel needs at no cost. These students are high-performance tournament level players who compete at the regional, national and international levels. The program also includes a player pathway for students who participate in the National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network.

Stephens will participate in numerous appearances where players will have an opportunity to engage with the grand slam champion, including the annual Excellence Program College Pathways Workout this fall at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, Florida. During the two-day camp, Stephens will serve as the guest speaker and participate in a photo opp. with all players and coaches.

NJTL participants will also have a unique opportunity to engage with Stephens through a video conference session where they will get to ask questions and engage in dialogue on various topics related to tennis, education, competition and sportsmanship. Stephens will also participate in other multimedia platforms such as the first official NJTL Excellence Program endorsement video, while also utilizing her social media channels to bring awareness of the program’s various activations, its positive impact on the student participants, and its overall success

“Sloane is a model athlete and the ideal ambassador for our Excellence Program on and off the court,” said Dan Faber, USTA Foundation Executive Director. “Her willingness to engage with our student athletes speaks volumes and will have a lasting impact on their lives. We thank Sloane for supporting our mission and serving as our first ambassador for this incredible program.”

Chris Evert Becomes USTA Foundation Chair

January 9, 2019 by tennisbloggers

The USTA Foundation, the national charitable arm of the United States Tennis Association (USTA), announced that it has appointed 18-time Grand Slam singles champion and former world No. 1 Chris Evert as Chair of the USTA Foundation’s Board of Directors. In her new role, Evert will serve as the USTA Foundation’s spokesperson and ambassador to promote its mission, raise funds and increase the impact of its national outreach efforts to under-resourced youth. She succeeds former pro James Blake, who served as USTA Foundation Chair from 2015 to 2018.

In 2016, Evert partnered with the USTA Foundation to establish the Jimmy Evert Fund, a scholarship fund in honor of her late father who was a coach and mentor to many aspiring tennis athletes. These scholarships were developed, along with the support of Evert’s family, as a result of the USTA Foundation’s ability to directly impact youth through tennis and education programming, and are designed to provide opportunities for kids to excel both on and off the tennis court.

“I am honored to have been selected as the Chairperson of the USTA Foundation, one of the most remarkable organizations I have ever been associated with,” said Evert. “I grew up playing tennis in a public facility where my father could keep an eye on us kids, making sure we all were safe and stayed out of trouble. That was a great, life-shaping experience for me; an experience I want to give back to a new generation of young people. I’m committed to helping make our sport more fun and more accessible to more kids, so that they can enjoy its many benefits, just as I did. The combination of tennis and education is a powerful one, and I will do all that I can to further the USTA Foundation’s mission of improving the lives of under-resourced youth through that powerful combination.”

Evert’s stellar tennis career began when she turned pro in 1972 at the age of 18, eventually landing 18 Grand Slam singles titles, including six singles crowns at the US Open. She owns a record 157 singles titles, and has the highest winning percentage of any player—male or female—in the history of the sport. She is one of only three players in history to have a 100-match winning year with 103 in 1974, including 55 straight match wins on all surfaces, a record that held up for more than a decade, and she was ranked No.1 in the world for seven years, winning a total of 1,309 matches in her career.

In 1989, Evert retired at the US Open at the age of 34. On July 16, 1995, she was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. As the sole inductee that year, she was only the fourth player and the sixth person ever to be elected to the Hall unanimously.

Evert’s sports journalism career began in 2011 as a tennis analyst for ESPN, and she has covered all four Grand Slam events for the last seven years. In addition to her broadcasting role, Evert also writes a monthly publisher’s column for Tennis magazine.

A resident of Boca Raton, Fla., Evert lends her time and effort to raise funds for many causes important to her and her family, and serves as a board member for several organizations. The Chris Evert Charities Inc., founded in 1989 following Evert’s retirement, focuses on helping children who are at-risk due to drug abuse and alcohol addiction by focusing on programs whose mission is to keep families together as parents seek treatment. The charity has raised more than $25 million since its inception and is the sole beneficiary at the annual Chris Evert Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic, which has been heralded as the most successful fund-raiser in tennis history.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors of the USTA Foundation, we are truly honored to have Chris Evert serve as our new Chair and ambassador,” said Thomas Chen, President of the USTA Foundation Board of Directors. “It’s exciting to have Chris help us lead many of our fund-raising efforts so that we can continue to support tennis and education programs throughout the country. Her commitment to supporting programs like these speaks volumes, and we are thrilled to have her on our team as we pursue our mission to enhance more young lives through tennis and education.”