Save 10% When You Register For 4+ Weeks of Summer Camp
Potomac Champs Future Champs

Junior Tennis Champions Center

Tennis For Everyone

Events

Month: January 2025

Shristi Selvan Achieves Career-High USTA #15 National Ranking

Posted on by JTCC Marketing

JTCC High Performance Player Shristi Selvan set a personal goal in 2024 to become a “top 25 player in the country” in Girls’ 14s by the end of 2025.

Just 30 days into the new year, Selvan now can aim even higher, having now achieved a career-high USTA national ranking of #15.

The Howard County native, who began training at JTCC five years ago, has rapidly climbed the rankings following a successful 2024 season that included a finalist finish in doubles at the prestigious Orange Bowl Girls’ 14s.  After starting the previous year with a rank of #60, Shristi can take pride in her remarkable progress in such a short time.

“It means a lot,” Selvan stated. “It shows all the work I’ve put in and that my results are actually starting to show.”

A key part of her success has been her growing comfort with tournament play.

“Over time, I’ve become more comfortable with tournaments, more relaxed, and I’ve advanced further when I compete,” she explained.

Her breakthrough moment came at the Orange Bowl, where she reached the doubles final and reached the Round of 16 in singles. The international event, often regarded as one of the toughest Junior competitions in the world, marked one of her biggest achievements in 2024.

For Selvan, the guidance from her team of coaches has been essential. “Coach Paula has been such a help to me, fixing my technique and helping me with my mentality,” she said. “Coach Peter is helping me with the mental side, and Coach Oliver and Ali are all helping me improve my game to go farther in tournaments.”

With a deep sense of gratitude for the team behind her, Selvan is now focused on her next goal of reaching a top 10 ranking before she ages out of the Girls’ 14s age group on May 16.

“I want to get my UTR higher and go deeper in major tournaments,” she stated with her eyes set on the future. “I’m determined to push myself further and get better every day.”

Kalista Papadopoulos: A Rising Star At JTCC

Posted on by JTCC Marketing

At 15-years-old, Kalista Papadopoulos is quickly making a name for herself in the tennis world. A relative newcomer to competitive tennis, Kalista began taking the sport seriously only after COVID-19 disrupted her involvement in other team sports such as lacrosse and field hockey. What started as casual rallies with her older brother Jordan during the pandemic has now evolved into a dedicated pursuit of excellence on the court.

Kalista and her brother joined JTCC seven months ago in May. In that short time under the mentorship of Coach James Carr, Kalista has taken her game to the next level.

Describing herself as an aggressive baseliner with a growing focus on net play, Kalista credits JTCC for shaping her consistency and confidence. Her hard work recently paid off when she captured her first International Tennis Federation (ITF) Junior doubles title in Peru with fellow JTCC High Performance player Reiley Rhodes.

“Winning the title in Peru was an unforgettable experience,” Kalista said. “The repetition we get in our training at JTCC is very helpful. Drills translate directly into match play, which makes new skills we practice feel second nature during competition.”

Looking ahead, Kalista’s goals are clear. She wants to play collegiate tennis at a top school and test her skills in select professional tournaments in the future. With her relentless drive and the support of her JTCC family, the future looks bright for this rising star.

“JTCC feels like home. We all push each other to improve, and that bond makes the hard work worth it,” she stated. “Having my brother here to train with me and challenge me is also special. I’m excited for what is ahead next year.”

JTCC Alumnus Denis Kudla Announces Retirement After 14-Year Tennis Career

Posted on by JTCC Marketing

After an outstanding junior and professional career that left an indelible mark on the sport, JTCC alumnus Denis Kudla has officially retired from tennis after an impressive 14 years on the tour.

The first JTCC player to compete on the ATP tour, Kudla quickly gained attention as a junior in 2008 when he won the prestigious Orange Bowl 16’s, defeating fellow JTCC player Mitchell Frank, and ending the year ranked #3 in the ITF World Junior rankings.

His success continued as he reached the US Open Boys’ Singles finals in 2010 before transitioning to the ATP Tour as a professional.

Throughout his tennis career, Kudla celebrated several significant milestones, including breaking into the Top 100 at age 20 and reaching a career-high ranking of #53 in singles in 2016. Recognized for his powerful serve and strong baseline game, Kudla won nine ATP Challenger Tour titles over his career and had the honor of representing Team USA at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

In 2015, Kudla attained his best Grand Slam result, advancing to the 4th round of Wimbledon before being defeated by US Open champion Marin Čilić.

Reflecting on his career in an Instagram post after his final match, in which he teamed with Desirae Krawczyk to help the United States sweep win the doubles semifinals of the United Cup, Kudla expressed his gratitude: “I could have never imagined what this life could give me and where it has brought me,” Kudla stated. “A blonde-haired, backwards hat-wearing kid from the DMV going on to be a professional tennis player! I am forever grateful to this sport I love.”

Two-time US Open semifinalist and JTCC alumnus Frances Tiafoe, who looked up to Kudla while training together as juniors at JTCC, paid tribute to his friend on social media.

“I really appreciate you bro, more than you can ever imagine. You truly helped me believe that being a pro can be a reality,” he wrote. “Thanks for giving me game and support as a youngin and still to this day. Nothing but love for you baldhead Kudla.”

While Kudla might be done competing in tennis, he certainly remains close to the sport. He began the newest chapter of his tennis career in December, agreeing to coach fellow American Reilly Opelka. Kudla’s influence has already been noticeable, as Opelka recently defeated 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic 7-6(6), 6-3 in the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International.

JTCC President Vesa Ponkka, who witnessed Kudla’s growth as a junior, remarked on his legacy:

“Denis was one of the most important players we have ever had at JTCC. He established the work ethic, discipline, and professional mindset that define a player at JTCC. He decided at a very young age that he wanted to become a great player, and he worked tirelessly every day to make that happen.”

2024 JTCC Highlights

Posted on by JTCC Marketing

Throughout the year, JTCC participants and alumni continued to leave inspirational memories for the entire community.

Thirteen-year-old Wheelchair player Spencer Davis left his mark earning a permanent place on the JTCC Walk of Fame after securing a prestigious United States Tennis Association (USTA) National Gold Ball in the Coed C singles bracket of the L1 Cajun Classic in Baton Rouge, LA in March.

JTCC’s 25th Anniversary Gala honoring alumnus Frances Tiafoe and University of Maryland president Darryll Pines raised more than $580,000 for the JTCC Community Champs (formerly GEICO Game On!) program providing access to tennis to youth in underserved communities in Washington, DC and Prince George’s County.

In August, JTCC hosted the inaugural Wheelchair Championships, an event that featured three tournaments in one, ranging from professionals on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) circuit to amateurs and juniors in USTA events all competing in respective brackets. More than 50 players from around the world participated in the four-day event.

JTCC High Performance player Reiley Rhodes made headlines in November by securing her first three career ITF Junior titles in two weeks in Peru. Rhodes cruised to a J60 singles and doubles title before taking her game to the next level claiming a J100 singles championship the following week.

In the past two months, three alumni – Ayana Akli, Andrew Fenty, and William Woodall, each triumphed at the highest level, winning their first professional doubles tournaments as all three embark on pro careers.

Stay tuned for more inspiring memories and experiences for the JTCC community in 2025!

Contact Details

Get In Touch

Get In Touch Footer