It was a powerhouse March for JTCC alumni on the global stage. Frances Tiafoe surged back into the world top 20 following an ATP 500 final and deep runs in the Sunshine Double, while Hailey Baptiste secured her first Top 10 win en route to a maiden WTA 1000 Quarterfinal and a career-high ranking of No. 33.

The momentum extended across the board with Andrew Fenty reaching consecutive ITF finals, Ayana Akli making her WTA 500 debut, and Robin Montgomery successfully returning to professional competition. Whether at the elite Masters level or the ITF circuit, these athletes continue to showcase the world-class impact of JTCC training.

For alumnus Frances Tiafoe, last week marked a significant step toward excellence at the start of the 2026 season when he reached his third ATP 500-level final in Acapulco at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel.

The Hyattsville native won four matches en route to his 11th ATP Tour final which included two three-set victories along the way over countrymen Aleksandar Kovacevic and Brandon Nakashima.

JTCC alum Benjamin Kittay is quickly establishing himself on the worldwide professional doubles tour, highlighted by his recent appearance at the Delray Beach Open. The Potomac, MD native made the most of his main draw wild card, reaching the finals in his ATP 250 tournament debut.
“I am just happy to be playing,” Kittay said. “My team and I are trying to get better every week, and it’s been great.”

Sofia Johnson was all smiles February 22 when she secured her first professional title at the ITF W15 Palm Coast in Florida by knocking off #1 seed Thaisa Pedretti, 6-4, 6-2, in straight sets.

From JTCC courts to the world tour, Ryan Colby is making his presence felt.

The 22-year-old has carried his game seamlessly into the professional ranks since turning pro in November with a stellar 19-5 record in that span, most recently reaching the finals at the M15 Palm Coast in FL on February 8.

One tournament can change everything on the professional tour, and for Hailey Baptiste, the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open marked that moment.
The JTCC alumna vaulted to a career-high ranking of world #39 on February 9 after her first run to the semifinals of a WTA 500 the week prior.

Holidays are a time for returning home and reconnecting with family and friends, and at JTCC, this is no exception. The building was buzzing the week of November 17 with more than 15 alumni returning to the courts to train together again where their journeys began.

Adding to the excitement, world #9 Ben Shelton stopped by for an energetic practice with alumnus Frances Tiafoe as the two pushed each other for more than three hours.

No amount of rain could dampen Ryan Colby’s spirits as the JTCC and Laurel Springs alumnus turned a weather-interrupted week into a career breakthrough.

The Virginia native captured his first professional title November 9 at the M15 Orlando tournament on the USTA Pro Circuit.

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.”

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. 

“Houston we have a problem” applies only to Frances Tiafoe’s early round opponents in the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship in Houston, TX because the Hyattsville native continues to destroy opponents on his way to three consecutive finals at the ATP 250 event.

In a moment that will be etched in University of Virginia tennis history, freshman and JTCC alumnus Stiles Brockett delivered a heroic performance to clinch the decisive point in the Cavaliers’ thrilling 4-3 upset over #1-ranked University of Texas on February 2.

JTCC alumnus Jakob Esterowitz has transformed his skills on the court into a groundbreaking venture off the court. Jakob founded Orobor, a company repurposing old tennis strings into sustainable polyester pellets. His journey reflects the unique blend of athletic and personal growth fostered at JTCC.

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.

Just one month after JTCC alumni Ayana Akli and William Woodall secured their first professional doubles titles, alumnus Andrew Fenty followed suit on November 10, securing his maiden pro crown at an ITF M15 tournament in Guatemala.

More than 6,500 miles apart, two JTCC alumni experienced euphoria on October 6 by claiming their first professional doubles titles.

Demonstrating the skills that make him one of the world’s top players, JTCC alumnus Frances Tiafoe advanced to the US Open semifinals for the second time in three years earning him the distinction of being the only American man to reach the semifinals two times since 2000.

Three former JTCC players and two alumni had strong showings at the NCAA Division I Championships in Stillwater, OK recently, with Alexa Noel capturing the Women’s Singles Championship. Noel rallied from a set and 3-1 down to capture the title with an impressive 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 come-back victory over Georgia’s Anastasiia Lopata.

Imani Jean’s freshman season at Howard University was memorable and one for the history books. The JTCC alumna, who finished her first collegiate season 13-3 overall in singles, was recognized for her stellar performance being named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s (MEAC) 2024 Rookie of the Year and was a MEAC First Team selection.

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.

JTCC alumnus Frances Tiafoe’s outstanding run at the 2023 US Open not only showcased his immense talent, but his continued ascent in the world of professional tennis. With his impressive quarterfinal appearance, Tiafoe solidified his status as one of the top players on the global ATP Tour.

The extreme heat couldn’t stop the excitement that emanated from Pershing Square Stadium court at JTCC on Thursday, July 27 when Frances Tiafoe and the USTA Foundation (USTAF) announced the launch of the Frances Tiafoe Fund. Hundreds of JTCC supporters filled the court to applaud the creation of the Frances Tiafoe Fund whose mission is to make tennis more accessible to youth in Prince George’s County and underserved communities nationwide.