Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC)

Founded in 1999, the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) is one of the most respected nonprofit tennis academies in the United States, renowned for developing world-class athletes while upholding its mission of “Tennis for Everybody.” Located in College Park, Maryland, JTCC provides a holistic environment that blends elite performance training, academic support, and community outreach, shaping both champions on the court and leaders off it.

From humble beginnings — training without courts and driving players nightly to distant indoor bubbles — JTCC has grown into a USTA-recognized High Performance Center that has produced numerous collegiate standouts, junior Grand Slam winners, and professional ATP and WTA players. Among its most celebrated alumni are Frances Tiafoe, a US Open semifinalist and top-10 ATP player, and Robin Montgomery, winner of the 2021 Junior US Open singles and doubles titles.

JTCC’s structured Champions Program supports athletes from beginner through elite levels, emphasizing long-term player development, technical mastery, and mental resilience. Through its innovative coach-mentor model, experienced senior coaches work closely with each student to foster both tennis excellence and personal growth.

Beyond performance training, JTCC is a national leader in community impact. Its Neighborhood Youth Outreach (NYO) program, launched in 2009, has introduced tennis and academic enrichment to over 7,500 children in underserved communities across Washington, D.C., and Maryland. The center also runs adaptive initiatives, including Special Olympics Tennis and the Para Standing Tennis Program, promoting inclusivity and opportunity for all athletes.

Under the leadership of CEO Ray Benton and President Vesa Ponkka, JTCC has earned multiple honors from the USTA and U.S. Olympic Committee, including recognition as Developmental Program of the Year, Outstanding Facility Award, and several National Developmental Coach of the Year awards.