JTCC News

It didn’t take long for Shristi Selvan to define excellence in 2026, opening the year with a truly momentous achievement.

The 15-year-old delivered a masterclass performance at the USTA Level 1 Girls’ 16s National Winter Championships in Orlando, FL, capturing the singles title and securing her first Gold Ball with a commanding 6-3, 6-1 victory over fourth-seeded Olivia Lin in the final.

High Performance player Nico Pedraza led a strong JTCC contingent at the USTA Level 1 National Indoor Championships that concluded on December 1, earning a coveted Silver Ball for reaching the finals in the Boys’ 16s Doubles division. This was Pedraza’s fifth career National Ball in Junior competition.

“My partner and I played really well together and had some good chemistry. We complement each other’s games really well,” Pedraza stated. “We had some long days where we ended up playing doubles later in the afternoon, so to stay focused and have high energy late in the day really gave us the edge.”

As part of Coach Appreciation Month, Gabby Hesse, JTCC’s Head of Wheelchair & Adaptive Tennis, was recently featured on FOX 5 DC’s Live Zone.

In the short segment, Gabby discussed JTCC’s mission to make the sport accessible for players of all abilities and the growing impact of inclusive programming that brings athletes together on and off the court. Her message underscored how great coaches not only build skills on the court, but also shape character, confidence, and community beyond it.

After a decade as General Manager of USTA Player Development, Martin Blackman has returned to his roots in Junior tennis to serve as CEO of JTCC, where he was Director of Tennis from 2004-08.

Blackman, whose initiatives at the USTA transformed American tennis with more American players ranked in the Top 10, 20, and 50 than at any point since the mid-1990s, brings a community-centered focus to JTCC.

Fifteen-year-old High Performance player Shristi Selvan received the surprise of a lifetime when she was named the second recipient of the Keith Robert Larson Scholarship fund which provides need-based scholarships for players committed to excellence on and off the court.

“I’m very grateful for this, and it will help me achieve my dreams in the future at the highest level,” Selvan stated. “I will continue to strive for top 10 National rankings in the Girls’ 16s & 18s.”

JTCC’s commitment to “Tennis for Everybody” was highlighted by the Tennis Channel on September 13, showcasing the impact of JTCC’s Adaptive Tennis program which serves more than 260 players of all ages and abilities.

From wheelchair athlete Spencer Davis to Marine veteran Gary Boshoff, the story highlights how JTCC empowers players through personalized coaching, inclusive programming, and the philosophy of “reciprocal mentorship.”

JTCC Chief Development Officer Andy Rathmann-Noonan sat down with Chief Operating Officer Joe Wilkerson for five questions about the Capital campaign.

After 17 years of unwavering commitment and dedicated service, Ray Benton announced his retirement from Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) effective September 30 and was honored with the naming of the “Ray & Nina Benton Walk of Fame.”

Following the naming ceremony on September 22, a catered lunch outside overlooking the courts in perfect “tennis weather” provided the ideal setting for JTCC staff to extoll Benton’s leadership while reminiscing and sharing stories from nearly two decades of fond memories.

More than 70 NCAA Division I female athletes from colleges and universities in the Mid-Atlantic region enjoyed abundant sunshine and pristine tennis weather September 19-21 at JTCC in the ninth Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Bedford Cup.

Players from Coppin State University, Delaware State University, George Mason University, George Washington University, Johns Hopkins University, Loyola University Maryland, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, University of Maryland, Virginia Commonwealth University, and West Virginia University competed in singles and doubles matches in draws based on their World Tennis Number (WTN).

Four JTCC High Performance players Shristi Selvan, Stefanie Smart-Abbey, Shaun Fernando, and Yared Alfred had a week to remember when they took part in the USTA Foundation Haber Career Week/Amex Cup.

Held from August 30 – September 5, the prestigious program gave student-athletes the opportunity to combine on-court development with enriching off-court learning experiences in New York City. JTCC players joined 24 peers from National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) chapters across the country for a week filled with tennis, education, and career exploration.

On September 10, JTCC proudly unveiled a plaque above the entrance to Building One for the JTCC Keith Robert Larson Scholarship Fund- honoring a legacy of passion, resilience, and community.

Keith was a longtime member and an enthusiastic supporter of JTCC programs, and although he is no longer able to play tennis, his passion for the game lives on.

JTCC is excited to announce that Martin Blackman has been named Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2025.

Blackman brings more than two decades of leadership experience in high-performance tennis development, including a decade as General Manager of USTA Player Development, where he led initiatives that transformed American tennis. His team’s efforts helped drive a resurgence in U.S. tennis, with the past three years reflecting more American players ranked in the Top 10, 20, and 50 than at any point since the mid-1990s.