2024–2025 - JTCC Celebrates 25 Years of Champions On and Off the Court

In 2024, the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) celebrated its 25th anniversary with a landmark gala honoring alumnus and ATP player Frances Tiafoe and University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines. In a meaningful full-circle moment in 2024, Frances Tiafoe, who began playing tennis at JTCC at age 4, donated $50,000 through his charitable fund with the USTA Foundation.

The event raised over $580,000 for the Community Champs program, supporting JTCC’s mission to provide tennis access to underserved youth in Washington, D.C., and Prince George’s County. Since 2009, more than 300 JTCC student-athletes have earned over $25 million in scholarships and financial aid to 110 universities—including Ivy League and Division I schools.

Also in 2024, Ayana Akli, an ITA All-American in both singles and doubles, reached a career-high No. 3 in the ITA Division I singles rankings while competing for the University of South Carolina. She has been coached for two decades by her father, Oliver Akli—one of JTCC’s most experienced and accomplished coaches—who joined the organization in 2000 and now serves as Senior Director of Coach Development. Ayana was named to the 2022 All-SEC First Team, SEC Academic Honor Roll, and recognized as an ITA Scholar-Athlete.

JTCC celebrated another milestone in January 2025 when alumnus Denis Kudla retired from the ATP Tour after 16 years and began his coaching career with current ATP player Reilly Opelka.