JTCC News

Adaptive tennis continues to grow at JTCC, and USTA’s Wheelchair & Para-Standing Camp reflected that momentum with a record of 40 athletes (28 Wheelchair & 12 Para-Standing) participating in May.

Fresh off helping the University of Virginia capture the NCAA National Championship, JTCC alumnus Stiles Brockett recently returned home to add his framed championship picture to the Ray & Nina Benton Walk of Fame.

JTCC alumnus Frances Tiafoe delivered a career-defining week in Halle, Germany, capturing the Terra Wortmann Open title and checking off a series of firsts along the way.

Tiafoe defeated fellow American Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 in the final to win his fourth career ATP Tour title and first at the ATP 500 level.

Ten JTCC graduates in attendance were dressed to impress in front of the more than 100 proud parents, families, alumni, and friends who gathered at JTCC for the May 27 graduation ceremony for the Class of 2026.

This year’s class also included nine additional graduates who were unable to attend. The group joined more than 350 other successful alumni.

JTCC’s annual Champions Celebration presented by Life by Dallas True Pop Popcorn raised a record-breaking $630,000 on April 16 to support the organization’s mission of making tennis accessible to players of all backgrounds and abilities throughout the Washington metropolitan area.

More than 450 supporters enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres during the pre-dinner reception while reconnecting with fellow supporters and alumni and celebrating honorees Ray Benton and Denis Kudla for their lasting impact on JTCC.

After opening 2026 with her first Gold Ball at the USTA Winter Nationals, Shristi Selvan returned to the national stage at the Easter Bowl in Indian Wells, CA with the confidence of a champion and the hunger for more.
The 15-year-old didn’t just recreate that sense of déjà vu—she elevated it, returning to the winner’s circle on March 29 and taking it a step further by capturing both Girls’ 16s singles and doubles titles.

The spotlight recently shined on JTCC’s community impact which was featured on All Access With Andy Garcia, hosted by the acclaimed actor and filmmaker best known for his iconic roles in The Godfather Part III and Ocean’s Eleven.

Garcia has built a distinguished career highlighting powerful stories and meaningful community impact. His documentary series spotlights organizations making a difference across the nation.

The 2026 JTCC Champions Celebration will recognize two individuals whose leadership and achievements have profoundly shaped the organization.

Together, the honorees—Ray Benton, JTCC’s longtime Chief Executive Officer, and Denis Kudla, one of the program’s first homegrown professional players and a current member of the JTCC High Performance coaching team—represent more than 30 years of dedication to JTCC’s mission and community.

Drawing on 10 years of experience as General Manager of USTA Player Development, JTCC CEO Martin Blackman announced that he, along with JTCC President and Director of Coaching Vesa Ponkka, will oversee all of JTCC’s High Performance Training and High Performance Coach Development.

“We will implement a program that reflects the same philosophy and comprehensive training methodology that ushered in a resurgence of American tennis under the direction of USTA Player Development,” said Blackman. “Over the past decade, American tennis experienced its strongest resurgence since the early 1990s, with significant increases in representation across the Top 100, Top 50, Top 20, and Top 10 rankings. This progress was driven by a three-way partnership between USTA Player Development, the 17 USTA Sections, and the private sector.”