Junior Competition News: March

PLAYER SAFETY

The USTA continues to be committed to making every tennis experience a safe and memorable one. The Safe Play program, USTA's comprehensive athlete safety program, was developed with the U.S. Center for SafeSport and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee to help ensure safe and respectful environments for athletes to thrive in. The program consists of education, screening, reporting tools and policies for appropriate conduct in tennis, and any adult who has regular contact with or authority over a minor athlete in USTA programs, events or tournaments must be in compliance.

We strongly encourage all parents to consider taking the Safe Play course to learn important safety information and to ensure that their child's coach is also in compliance. You can check to see if your coach or provider is approved here.

PLAYER NEWS

JACK SECORD WINS ITF TOURNAMENT

Congratulations to Jack Secord of the USTA Chicago District who won his first International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournament. Jack, seeded 16, won the J30 ITF in Monterrey, Mexico. Along the way, he defeated the first seed and the eighth seed without dropping a set.

BREWER TEAM CUP RESULTS

The Brewer Team Cup took place earlier this month. Formerly known as Spring Team Championships, it is one of USTA's premier Level 1 Team Championship events. The Boys and Girls 14s through 18s divisions were held in Mobile, AL, while the Boys and Girls 12s were out in Tucson, AZ. Players from all over the country were split into teams to compete in both singles and doubles events.

Congratulations to Midwest players Colin McPeek (B14s, pictured practicing with tennis pro Rajeev Ram ahead of the Team Cup) and Grant Miller (B12s) for helping lead their teams to a championship win! A big shoutout to all of our players who competed in the event and demonstrated excellent sportsmanship, too!

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

Last month, we introduced you to Anneliese Williams, the winner of the USTA/Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation (MTEF) Sportschair Giveaway Contest. We are proud to share her story in recognition of not only Women's History Month, but also Disability Awareness Month. Learn more about Williams, an athlete and a scholar, who has joined a network of persistent and compassionate women to make tennis more inclusive for everyone.

GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

At the young age of four years old, five-time major champion, Rajeev Ram discovered a joy about tennis that would flourish into his professional career. As a young athlete, Rajeev received junior grants from the USTA/Midwest Tennis & Education Foundation (MTEF) that helped him succeed.

Parents, if your child could benefit from financial assistance, please visit the MTEF grants and scholarships webpage. Our next cycle of grants and scholarships is open April 1-May 1, 2023. Similarly, if you would like to make a monetary contribution to MTEF to assist in its efforts to provide financial support to junior players, please donate here.