High Performance player Nicholas Mekhael led the JTCC contingent of players competing July 6-13 at the Level 1 USTA National Clay Court Championships, earning a coveted Bronze Ball for his 3rd place finish in the Boys’ 18s Singles division in Delray Beach, FL. Mekhael also reached the Boys’ 18s doubles semifinals, ultimately finishing fourth, capping off a standout week of elite-level play.

JTCC is excited to announce the appointment of Andrew “Andy” Rathmann-Noonan as Chief Development Officer.  Andy brings a wealth of experience, a deep passion for tennis, and a strong commitment to our mission.

Rathmann-Noonan previously served as president of the National Science and Technology Medals Foundation, where he was responsible for creating and executing the organization’s fundraising efforts and managing the five-person development team. During his tenure, Rathmann-Noonan helped grow annual revenue from $100,000 to $2,000,000 while collaborating with several partners, including the White House.

JTCC alumna Kallista Liu capped her standout college career by being named the ITA National Most Improved Player of the Year, recognizing her steady rise to the top of collegiate tennis at the University of Maryland.

“Kallista’s journey is the epitome of this award,” said Maryland Head Coach Katie Dougherty. “She came in playing No. 6 singles and left playing No. 1 as a unanimous All-Big Ten selection. After not cracking the doubles lineup her first two years, she finished playing No.1 and ranked nationally. This is a huge and well-deserved honor.”

Breaking barriers on and off the courts, two JTCC adaptive tennis players were featured in a Washington Post article this past Friday documenting their selection for their high schools’ tennis teams this year.

A testament to their exceptional skill and unyielding determination, freshmen Spencer Davis and Maya Gareri have joined their respective teams at Langley High School in McLean, VA, and Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, MD, since the season began earlier this spring.

Alumnus Frances Tiafoe made headlines in Paris with four consecutive straight set victories enroute to his first appearance in the Roland Garros quarterfinals.

The #15 seed was joined by compatriot Tommy Paul marking the first time since 1996 that there were two American men in the final eight. Both players lost in quarterfinal encounters with clay court specialists Lorenzo Musetti and Carlos Alcaraz, respectively.

Alumna Hailey Baptiste is catapulting her career to new heights after a run to the Round of 16 at Roland Garros—her best result ever at a Grand Slam.

Hailey starting making waves in the first round with an upset victory over #23 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia, followed by wins over Nao Hibino and Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. She has surged from a previous career-high of #98 to #70—and currently sits at #58 in the live rankings—securing entry into the highest level of WTA Tournaments and setting the stage for success at Wimbledon in the main draw four weeks from now. 

For most of his life, all Denis Kudla has known is playing tennis.

From a precocious Junior player who ascended to the #3  ITF World Junior ranking after winning the prestigious Orange Bowl 16’s, to a respected tennis professional whose 16-year career included representing the USA at the Rio Olympics and Davis Cup, Kudla and tennis have been inseparable. 

Ray Benton has informed the Board of Directors of his intention to retire as CEO and Board member of the Junior Tennis Championship Center (JTCC) as of December 31, 2025.

Benton was recruited in 2008 to lead JTCC by founder Ken Brody whose vision was to build JTCC into an organization that uses the game of tennis to better lives with a focus on developing a world-class training program that produces champions both on and off the court.