USTA Press Release, July 29, 2023

The USTA Foundation, the charitable arm of the United States Tennis Association Incorporated (USTA), joined world No. 10 Frances Tiafoe to launch The Frances Tiafoe Fund. The announcement was made Thursday at the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) in College Park, Md., the place where the American tennis star first fell in love with the sport, followed by a clinic in which Tiafoe had the opportunity to interact with local youth.

Tiafoe, who broke into the ATP Top 10 for the first time in his career on June 19 after winning his second title of 2023 at the Boss Open in Stuttgart, hopes the Fund will be a source of positive social change by supporting the mission of the USTA Foundation with a special emphasis on the National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network. The network, which now consists of more than 270 chapters nationwide, was originally created in 1969 by tennis legend Arthur Ashe, along with Charlie Pasarell and Sheridan Snyder, and provides under-resourced youth with free or low-cost tennis and education programming, helping them to succeed both on and off the court. The Frances Tiafoe Fund will work closely with NJTL chapters nationwide.

“I’m so excited for this opportunity to work with the USTA Foundation and inspire kids who come from my hometown and beyond,” Tiafoe said. “One of my priorities has always been to show kids that dreams can come true and that success is in everyone – and this Fund is just one step further toward that goal.”

As someone who grew up in the NJTL network, the mission of the USTA Foundation is personal to Tiafoe and pivotal to his tennis journey. He started playing the game at age four at the JTCC, a NJTL chapter where his father served as the head of maintenance after immigrating from Sierra Leone in 1996.

“Frances Tiafoe is a role model for so many kids in Prince George’s County and across the country,” said Kathleen Wu, USTA Foundation Board President. “He’s not just a talented tennis player, he’s also a dedicated philanthropist who is committed to giving back to his community. The Frances Tiafoe Fund is a shining example of his commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. I’m so grateful to Frances for his work with the USTA Foundation, and I’m excited to see how the Fund will continue to inspire and empower kids from all backgrounds.”

To celebrate this launch, many of Tiafoe’s brand partners have pledged to support his efforts and intend to contribute to the fund.