Andrew Ton: ITA Mens National D1 Tennis Sportsmanship Award Winner

USTA NorCal is proud to extend a big congratulations to former USTA NorCal Junior player Andrew Ton for being selected as the 2021 recipient of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's (ITA) Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership and Sportsmanship Award for men on the Division I level.

This prestigious award recognizes outstanding student-athletes in all five divisions at the national level, and is presented to the men's and women's national student-athletes who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership, as well as scholastic, extracurricular, and tennis achievements.

“I knew the guys who won in their region and other conferences, and it was such a great group of men,” Andrew said of his peers he was up against for the award. “For me, winning isn’t about the accolades. It's a testament to my parents, coaches past and present, and two older sisters who played in college. They all taught me to go out there, have fun, and that if you want something, you have to earn it yourself. This award is a collective honor.”

Sportsmanship is something Andrew said he was taught from the beginning. “My dad always said you have to let your racquet do the talking. Do your best. Do it with integrity and have fun,” he remembered. “So that’s what I’ve lived by for the last 19 years of playing the game.”

And Andrew is no stranger to being recognized for his sportsmanship and approach for the game as a way to have fun, meet new people, and have new experiences, rather than playing just for winning. He was very active growing up playing in USTA and USTA NorCal tournaments, and earned numerous achievements, including being awarded the USTA Bill Talbert Sportsmanship Award as a junior in 2017.

He looks back on his time competing with USTA fondly. “USTA NorCal was a big part of my foundation for my game as a junior growing up,” he said. “I met some of my best friends playing in NorCal. I got to travel, experience tournaments, and work on my game.”

When it came time for the next level, he had no doubts where he would go and wanted to follow in his sister’s footsteps of attending the Naval Academy. “As a kid, watching the path my sister was on and serving this country was very influential for me,” Andrew noted. “I am a first generation Vietnamese American and seeing what this country has given my family, I wanted to give back and thought what better way to give back by serving and playing tennis at a great program at the same time.”

During his time at the Naval Academy, Andrew earned many awards and had a great record. As a recent graduate, Andrew is looking forward to serving his country.

Perhaps one of the reasons Andrew has been so successful in life and tennis so far is for his mindset.

“It’s about having respect for yourself and your opponent and doing the right thing. Have fun and honor the game.”