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

Junior Tennis Champions Center

Tennis For Everyone

Events

JTCC Marketing

Player Spotlight: Stefanie Smart-Abbey Striving For Excellence

Posted on by JTCC Marketing

Leaving behind her family and hometown of Yonkers, NY, Stefanie Smart-Abbey, at 13-years-old joined JTCC’s Full-Time High Performance program in late 2022 to pursue her dream to be the best player she could be.

Smart-Abbey’s father, a seasoned tennis coach from Ghana, taught his 10-year-old daughter how to play tennis. She began making her mark at a young age in local tournaments by holding her own and competing in older age groups despite having only two years of tennis experience.

“Competing in the older age groups was challenging because I was still learning how to play tennis. I didn’t know what matches and tournaments would feel like because I was just used to hitting with my dad,” explained Smart-Abbey.

Smart-Abbey has dedicated herself to training and taking classes full-time while participating in the JTCC High Performance program and living with family friends in Maryland.

“Leaving New York to come to JTCC was tough initially because I left my family behind,” Smart-Abbey said. “I miss my parents, but I’ve enjoyed my time here thanks to the new friendships I’ve made and the rivalries we share on the court that push each other to improve.”

Smart-Abbey’s JTCC mentor is Staff Professional Ali Agnamba, who is from Togo, not far from her father’s homeland of Ghana in West Africa.

“Stefanie loves to have fun on the court, but at the same time, she trains hard and is receptive to feedback,” Agnamba said. “She moves extremely well, and one of our goals for her this year is to get her national ranking higher in order to compete in international tournaments.”

JTCC Winter Festival Sparks Excitement

Posted on by JTCC Marketing

With more than 60 enthusiastic children and adults engaged in interactive tennis drills, the JTCC Winter Tennis Festival held on the indoor courts on February 3 was a smashing success to kicking off the first of four free festivals held throughout the year.

During the two-hour free event led by JTCC coaches and assisted by volunteers from the University of Maryland Men’s Club Lacrosse team, the players also participated in team-building activities to improve balance and coordination and enjoyed complimentary snacks.

After the fun concluded on court, smiling participants left with giveaways including water bottles and sunglasses donated by the Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission and JTCC postcards featuring alumna Robin Montgomery.

Seven JTCC Players Announce Their College Commitments

Posted on by JTCC Marketing

The dreams of seven hard-working student-athletes have been fulfilled with their commitments to play college tennis at prestigious institutions in the fall.

A signing day ceremony was held at JTCC on Thursday, January 11, with players, family members, and media in attendance.

JTCC players will be competing at five NCAA Division I universities and two NCAA Division III colleges. Headlining the signees is Stiles Brockett, who will be joining back-to-back National Champion powerhouse University of Virginia. He is a three-time United States Tennis Association (USTA) National Gold Ball winner.

JTCC congratulates these students and looks forward to following their successful college tennis careers:

Stiles Brockett – University of Virginia

Jason Daly – Colby College

Cole Henceroth – University of South Carolina

Amari O’Brien – Mount St. Mary’s University

Seth Sadikov – Swarthmore College

Shivaani Selvan – United States Air Force Academy

Yichen (Cindy) Zhao – Princeton University

JTCC Alumni Hitting Session Sparks Social Media Attention

Posted on by JTCC Marketing

The past and present collided during winter break at JTCC when several alumni returned from college to train together with current High Performance players.

The holiday training sessions featured thrilling rallies, powerful serves, and a joyful camaraderie that showcased the success of the JTCC pathway.

The reunion also sparked attention on social media with a 55-second video of one of the hitting sessions posted on JTCC’s Instagram page generating 36,000 views, more than 196 hours of watch time, and 1,153 likes.

The impressive lineup of players included five current NCAA players—

Mikeal Carpenter (Morgan State University), Brian Cernoch (University of North Carolina), Ryan Colby (University of Georgia), Trinity Grear (Rice University), and Cyrus Mahjoob (University of Georgia).

“Coming back to JTCC over the holiday break is something I look forward to every year,” shared Cernoch. “Getting a high-quality practice with fellow alumni and being able to talk about college and reminisce on our times in College Park always brings back great memories.”

Grear echoes Cernoch’s sentiments.

“I know how fortunate I am to have such a great support system in place when I come home, and I don’t take it for granted,” stated Grear. “It allows us to have a proper preseason and stay sharp over the break so we can be ready to compete at a high level in the new year.”

To watch the clip of the players posted on social media, please click here.

JTCC Athlete Madeleine-Camille Preuninger Thriving in New Wheelchair

Posted on by JTCC Marketing

The tennis journey of JTCC MedStar athlete Madeleine-Camille Preuninger was transformed overnight when she was the surprise recipient of a free custom-fit sports wheelchair six months ago.

The Hartford, a leading provider of disability insurance that has dedicated itself for the past 30 years to making adaptive sports and equipment more accessible, awarded the wheelchair to Preuninger making an indelible impact on the tennis enthusiast who began playing at JTCC in 2021.

“Adaptive sports have not only saved my life and maintained my physical well-being, but have also empowered me with independence,” said Preuninger, a regular member of JTCC’s weekly Integrative Clinics on Mondays.

“Adaptive Sports are a constant challenge, keeping me strong while instilling the courage to attempt things I never thought possible,” she continued.

In 2023, JTCC was awarded a $50,000 grant from The Hartford to purchase new adaptive sports equipment, including nine top-of-the-line tennis wheelchairs. With the support of Move United, a national leader in community adaptive sports, JTCC rewarded Preuninger for her dedication and exuberance to the sport during a special event.

“I’m super thankful for having the opportunity to own a new chair because otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to purchase one due to the cost,” expressed a grateful Preuninger.

Preuninger’s custom-fit chair on the court helps her avoid injuries, enhance comfort, and allows her to focus on improving her skills.

Not only an active participant at JTCC clinics, Preuninger has given back to the adaptive community, volunteering as a Junior Wheelchair Players coach.

Moving forward, Preuninger plans to continue improving her skills as a player and a coach. She also hopes to share the importance of adaptive tennis and change perspectives on disabilities in France, where much of her family resides.

Special thanks to The Hartford & Move United for making dreams come true. Here’s to celebrating the passion and commitment that Madeleine brings to the world of wheelchair tennis!

JTCC Celebrates Arthur Ashe Legacy

Posted on by JTCC Marketing

More than 100 players, staff, and spectators packed the JTCC lobby on November 17 for the Arthur Ashe Legacy Foundation at UCLA’s panel discussion celebrating the 50th anniversary of Ashe’s first visit to South Africa.

In 1973, Ashe became the first Black professional tennis player to compete in South Africa’s National Championships. Before his arrival, Ashe told the South African government that he would not play in front of a racially segregated audience and would not accept limitations on his free speech while in South Africa.

The 90-minute discussion featured individuals who knew Ashe recalling stories about the tennis pioneer and discussing how today’s young athletes can build on his commitment to empowerment and educational mobility.

Guha Shankar, a Library of Congress representative, moderated the impactful discussion that included a distinguished panel that included South African author Mark Mathabane, 1988 Nigerian Olympic tennis player Dr. Sadiq Abdullahi, American Tennis Association (ATA) President Roxanne Aaron, Director of Swimming, Diving, and Tennis at Howard University Nicholas Askew, and Howard University varsity player and 2021-22 All-Conference Academic team selection Gabriel Knowles.

“The importance of this event was to bring together people who knew Arthur Ashe and experienced the trip to South Africa, but also to connect this history to a new generation of people,” said Yolanda Hester, historian and member of the Arthur Ashe Legacy Foundation. “We want the takeaway for everyone from this event to be to see what you can do to help make a difference and impact the world as Arthur did.”

An Escape From Chaos: Priyana Kalita

Posted on by JTCC Marketing

JTCC High Performance Coach Priyana Kalita’s story is one of resilience and determination.

Born in the bustling streets of Guwahati, the capital city of Assam, India, Kalita grew up amidst continual unrest due to fighting over the India/Bangladesh border 150 miles from her home.

In 2008, tensions escalated when a series of bombs in Assam killed 88 people and injured 500. Kalita, then eight-years-old, vividly remembers seeing the smoke from her school and hiding underneath her desk with her frightened classmates.

“It was tragic as we did not know what was going on. I remember being in shock. Kids were crying,” she described. ”Then after about 30 minutes, there was a curfew given by the government, and our parents rushed to pick us up.”

Needing an outlet from the pain, tennis became Kalita’s escape from the chaos.

Introduced to tennis by her mother as a means to channel her energy and instill discipline, Kalita fell in love with the sport and quickly became one of the best junior players in the nation.

“Tennis has given me everything,” stated Kalita, who started training at North East Tennis Foundation in Guwahati. “I can be myself in the sport, express emotions, and feel included in the game.”

Kalita’s dominance on the court was evident. After winning multiple state and regional tournaments, Kalita, at 14, ascended to become the #1 player in the state of Assam, #12 in India, and achieved a #490 ITF world ranking.

At 15-years-old, Kalita’s resolve was shown again when she left her family to join the Team Tennis Academies in New Delhi. Unable to afford training costs, coaches permitted her to train by becoming a paid hitting partner and using her earnings for rent and training expenses. Her journey eventually led her across the world to Oxford, OH, where she played Division I NCAA tennis at Miami University (OH) before pursuing a graduate degree in Sport Management at Florida State University.

After becoming an assistant coach at Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA, for one year, Kalita joined JTCC in June, 2023. Responsible for both individual and group instruction, Kalita emphasizes a coaching philosophy that values a cooperative environment between the player and coach.

“There should be a balance between listening to athletes and telling them what to do, as players need to be heard,” Kalita explained. “You have to understand it’s not a cookie-cutter approach with everyone. Every athlete is different, and you need to understand the athletes as an individual.”

Now 25-years-old and looking forward to her future, Kalita describes her biggest goal moving forward is “being able to support my brother financially through college.”

When asked what she would like people to take away from her story, Kalita responds, “Always keep finding solutions. Life is about problem-solving. There will be bad days, but you have to keep trying to get through them, as there will be good days as well.”

JTCC Players Crowned Winners at L4 Wheelchair Championships

Posted on by JTCC Marketing

Thirty-two of the top wheelchair tennis players in the nation competed earlier this month in the USTA L4 JTCC Wheelchair Tennis Championships presented by MedStar NRH.

The largest wheelchair tournament in program history with 32 competitors, the event featured 16 JTCC/MedStar players, including 13-year-old Spencer Davis, 38-year-old Bryce Doody, and 48-year-old Michael Flores, who were all crowned champions in their respective brackets. Doody and 38-year-old Harsh Thakkar, also a JTCC/MedStar player, were the winners in their doubles bracket.

Players were split into coed brackets by level of play, with Juniors competing in 18 & Under Singles and Adults participating in Coed A, B, C, and D brackets.

The top Adults in each of their respective divisions received prize money, with singles champions taking home $150 and finalists winning $75.

Davis, a dedicated member of JTCC’s Wheelchair Tennis Program, earned a first-place paycheck in Group C singles and won the 18-and-Under singles. Flores, who joined JTCC in October, made a triumphant debut, claiming the top prize in Group D singles in the first tournament action of his career.

”It’s remarkable to see players’ improvement and the growth of the sport over the past three years of the tournament, which started with 17 players in the first year,” said Head of Wheelchair & Adaptive Tennis Gabby Hesse. “JTCC wants to thank all the incredible sponsors, volunteers, and dedicated supporters who ensured the tournament’s success.”

Schinnerer Brothers Create Their Legacy

Posted on by JTCC Marketing

For JTCC High Performance players Kase and Erik Schinnerer, their dominance on the court shouldn’t be a surprise.

Born into a family of athletes, with their mother Lessia, a former professional tennis player, and their father Dan, a four-year letter winner at Yale University, the Schinnerer brothers have quickly forged an identity of their own at JTCC.

Fueled by their close bond and “lifelong rivalry,” the brothers’ dedication on the court has paid off. The pair own the distinction of holding the No. 1 ranking in the Middle States Section for their respective age groups and, most impressively, with Kase ranked #18 in Boys’ 18s USTA national rankings (as a 17-year-old), and Erik ranked 14th in the nation in Boys’ 14s USTA rankings.

Kase and Erik arrived at JTCC in January 2023 after previously training at the Gomez Tennis Academy in Florida for two years. Impressed by positive reviews from fellow players and coaches during tournaments, the duo are now members of JTCC’s Full-Time program.

In August, Kase achieved success when he competed in a J300 International Tennis Federation (ITF) Junior tournament held at JTCC. Initially winning a wild card to gain entry into the tournament that featured 26 of the Top 50 Juniors in the world, Kase advanced to the quarterfinals in doubles and the third round in singles.

“It was a big opportunity,” stated Kase, acknowledging what it was like competing in the tournament. “After winning a brutally long first match, the next round was the best win of my life, as the guy was #12 in the world!

Not to be outdone, Erik claimed his third USTA Ball in August, capturing the Silver Ball in the USTA Boys’ 14 singles championship. This achievement came on the heels of the USTA Clay Court Nationals Boys’ 14s Championship in July when he was a two-time champion earning a Bronze Ball in singles and Silver Ball in Doubles.

With the future bright for both ascending tennis stars, who would the brothers like to play against in a dream doubles matchup? “The Bryan Brothers,” Kase and Erik say in unison. “Just give us a few years to improve first.”

Stiles Brockett Commits to NCAA Champion UVA

Posted on by JTCC Marketing

JTCC High Performance player Stiles Brockett started training at JTCC in 2020 with a goal “to become the best player he could be”.

Three years later, Brockett not only is one of the country’s best junior players and Boys 16 National champion, but he recently verbally committed to join one of the best collegiate programs in the country at the University of Virginia.

A member of the Full-Time program at JTCC, Brockett is a Blue Chip five-star recruit who has amassed an impressive list of achievements, including three National Gold Balls at the 2021 Winter Boys’ 16s Doubles Championships, the 2022 Boys’ 16s Clay Court Championships, and the 2023 Boys’ 18s Doubles Clay Court Championships.

Upon graduating from JTCC in 2024, Brockett joins a prestigious Cavaliers program that has won back-to-back NCAA championships in 2022-23, and has captured six of the last 10 team championships.

Brockett follows the footsteps of other notable JTCC alumni, including Stefan Regalia, a JTCC 2023 graduate; Mitchell Frank, 6-time NCAA Champion, Luca Corinteli,3-time NCAA Champion, and Treat Huey, a former ATP professional who is currently serving as UVA Assistant Coach.

“I chose UVA primarily because of the incredible culture,” said Stiles. “The coaches have shown undying support and belief in me throughout the process. The team is super close, and the energy during practices and matches is unreal. I’m so pumped to join that environment and go to battle with the boys.”

“There’s a rich legacy connecting JTCC and UVA,” expressed JTCC Director of International Operations Asaf Yamin.

“Brockett will mark the 20th player JTCC has sent to UVA, as our longstanding partnership has yielded outstanding results. Stiles will be part of one of the nation’s top programs, enabling him to pursue both his on-court and academic aspirations. We are eager to see what he will achieve.”

JTCC Visits Croatia: A Davis Cup Adventure

Posted on by JTCC Marketing

With 27 enthusiastic JTCC supporters cheering wildly at courtside, it was a day of many “firsts” for Bob Bryan and Team USA as they defeated Croatia 2-1 in the opening match of the 2023 Davis Cup Finals Group Stage in Split, Croatia.

In his first match as Captain, Bob Bryan achieved what no other captain had been able to achieve before by defeating Croatia. Prior to the win, Team USA was 0-5 against Croatia. What made the victory especially “sweet” was that the match was in Croatia.

The Davis Cup Finals Group Stage featured 16 teams playing in four cities, with one “home” team at each venue and two teams from each group advancing to the eight-nation knockout Final.

Leading Team USA was an impressive contingent of players, including JTCC alumnus Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, Mackenzie McDonald, and doubles specialists Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram.

Among the stalwart fans sitting courtside behind the Team USA bench for all nine matches against Croatia, Netherlands, and Finland were Board chair Kathleen Horvath and CEO Ray Benton, joined by longtime JTCC supporters Mike Barnello, Steve Glover, and LynnDee Conley (who traveled nine time zones from Los Angeles), tennis tourism fanatics Donn Marvin and Mike Teeter, and more. All were dressed in custom JTCC Team USA apparel often seen on the Tennis Channel broadcasts.

“Meeting new JTCC supporters was very rewarding, and this journey was a resounding success in terms of excitement and promoting JTCC’s mission,” said Horvath. “We eagerly anticipate future trips that blend tennis with advancing JTCC’s cause.”

Captain Bob wasted no time in naming his brother Mike as Team USA doubles coach. The legendary twins own an impressive 25-5 Davis Cup record, the most wins ever for a Team USA doubles team.

In May, Bob and Mike were the honorees at JTCC’s 2023 Gala, sparking interest in JTCC’s first fundraising trip to Croatia. Stay tuned for the next Davis Cup adventure!

Para Standing Tennis Takes Center Stage at US Open

Posted on by JTCC Marketing

JTCC Para Standing players Nicky Maxwell and Ken ‘Rocket’ Rodriguez had the opportunity of their lifetime when the duo competed in a Para Standing Doubles match in Arthur Ashe Stadium preceding the US Open Women’s Singles Final on September 9.

Selected by the USTA based on their recent high level of play, Maxwell and Rodriguez were accompanied by JTCC Coach Karl Lee, head coach for JTCC’s Para Standing tennis program, and Oliver Akli, JTCC Senior Director of Coaches’ Development.

Maxwell, who’s British, was born with a congenital limb absence below the knee. A JTCC fixture since he attended a Para Standing tennis event sponsored by Hanger Clinic in January, Maxwell made his tournament debut at the Para Standing Italian Open in Turin, Italy, in the spring of 2023.

“It was an incredible experience to play on Ashe and a memory that I will treasure for a long time,” stated Maxwell. “None of this would have been possible without the steady support of JTCC coaches Karl Lee and Gabby Hesse. The center has taken me in and been my biggest supporter while also having the vision to see the potential of Para Standing Tennis long before I did myself.”

Born in Puerto Rico, Rodriguez lost his leg during his service in the Navy. During rehabilitation, he began playing tennis, and in 2022 he discovered JTCC, where he has become a regular participant in JTCC’s weekly Adaptive program.

“Tennis is one of those dreams you never knew you had,” Rodriguez said candidly. “Once I started playing, I started accepting more of my injury and how I look at myself. Tennis has been really helpful with my mental and physical health and pushes me beyond my limits.”

“Maxwell and Rodriguez epitomize effort and perseverance,” commented Coach Lee on the significance of the event. “JTCC will help show the world the potential of the Adaptive Athlete and how tennis can be a pathway of healing for everyone.”

The US Open produced a two-minute video of the exhibition featuring Maxwell and Rodriguez, which will provide a lifetime memory for the dynamic duo. To watch the clip, please click here.

Para Standing Tennis is tailored to individuals with ambulatory disabilities who choose to participate while standing, encompassing those with limb loss or differences and individuals with limited mobility, such as those with multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, and other disabilities.

Under the guidance of Coach Lee and Head of Wheelchair & Adaptive Tennis Gabby Hesse, who was unable to attend the event due to illness, JTCC boasts one of the strongest Para Standing tennis programs in the nation.

Contact Details

Get In Touch

Get In Touch Footer