Malika Andrews to host the 2026 Tennis Creates Gala

Emmy Award-Winning Sports Journalist Malika Andrews to Host 4th Annual USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation Tennis Creates Gala in November

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Emmy Award-Winning Sports Journalist Malika Andrews to Host 4th Annual USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation Tennis Creates Gala in November

To raise critical funds expanding regional tennis access and honoring Vice Admiral Sean S. Buck

MCLEAN, Va. (August 26, 2026) – The USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation today announced that Emmy Award-winning sports journalist and host of ESPN’s NBA Countdown and NBA Today Malika Andrews, who made her tennis-hosting debut at the 2026 Australian Open, will emcee the 4th annual Tennis Creates Gala on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner in McLean, Virginia.

The event will bring together some of the region’s top leaders in business, sport, and philanthropy to celebrate and promote the transformational impact of tennis across the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and eastern/southern West Virginia.

“The energy around tennis, specifically the excitement infused from the top American stars right now – from Coco Gauff, to Ben Shelton, to the DMV’s own Frances Tiafoe – is captivating,” said Malika Andrews. “I am thrilled ESPN tapped me to be part of our coverage during this seminal time in the sport and I am grateful to the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation for the opportunity to support tennis at the local level.” A trailblazer in sports broadcasting, Andrews is the host of ESPN’s weekday NBA studio show, NBA Today. She also hosts NBA Countdown on ESPN and ABC, as well as WNBA Countdown on ESPN. In 2026, Andrews was added to ESPN’s Tennis Team, leading broadcasts for Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open.

“We are thrilled to welcome Malika Andrews as our host for this year’s Tennis Creates Gala,” said Tara Fitzpatrick-Navarro, CEO of the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation. “Malika’s historic achievements in broadcasting, coupled with her commitment to sports and community, make her the ideal voice to champion our vision of ‘tennis in every community.’ More than an evening of celebration, this gala serves as an engine for generating the resources necessary to ensure every individual throughout our Mid-Atlantic community has the opportunity to experience the lifelong benefits of tennis.”

Tennis Changes Everything: 2026 Gala Highlights & Impact

Led by Gala Co-Chairs Andrew and Michele Brammer, the 2026 Tennis Creates Gala features an All-Star VIP reception, fine dining, live entertainment, and exclusive auctions. Every dollar raised goes directly back into neighboring Mid-Atlantic communities to break down financial and geographic barriers to the world’s healthiest sport.

Key highlights of the evening include:

2026 Tennis Creates Impact Award Honoree: The Foundation will honor Vice Admiral Sean S. Buck, U.S. Navy (retired), 63rd Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy, recognizing his distinguished leadership and dedication to fostering character, leadership, and well-being through tennis.
Funding Grassroots Access: Proceeds directly support core Foundation initiatives, including Girls Rule the Court™—which has served over 2,000 girls across the region —Junior Player Scholarships, and Tennis in Schools program.
Restoring Public Courts: Gala funds strengthen public infrastructure. With more than 70% of local players relying on courts in public parks, recreation centers, or schools, direct support fuels public court refurbishments—building on the $505,000 invested across 17 public venues over the last three years to support the region’s 1.4 million players.
Promoting Sportsmanship: Celebrating regional leaders who embody the Foundation’s ACES Pledge initiative, which has engaged over 6,000 participants to build character, respect, and positive life skills on and off the court.

Ticket Packages & Sponsorship Opportunities

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation relies on donor support and philanthropy to deliver low-cost programming, scholarships, and court restoration grants.

To purchase tables or explore sponsorship opportunities visit TennisCreatesGala.com.

About the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation

The USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promoting tennis and its physical, social, and emotional health benefits across D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and eastern/southern West Virginia. Guided by core principles of Community, Character, and Well-Being, the Foundation reached more than 114,500 youth in 2025 through tennis programs—including nearly 70,000 students through school-based initiatives. By investing in public facilities, youth scholarships, and character development, the Foundation is working toward its vision of “tennis in every community.” Learn more at USTAMidAtlanticFoundation.org

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Media Contact:
Kaitlyn Kinsey

Director, Marketing and Communications, USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation

kkinsey@mas.usta.com

T: 703-556-6120 x7088

Tennis Changes Everything

Every serve, every scholarship, and every restored court in 2025 started with a shared vision: making tennis accessible to everyone across Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and eastern/southern West Virginia. We are proud to release the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation 2025 Impact Report, highlighting a record-setting year for our region.

Inside, you will see how your support broke down financial barriers, energized local schools, and brought the physical and mental wellness of tennis to thousands of new players. This report is not just a recap of our progress; it is proof of what happens when we come together to bring the invaluable impact of tennis to all.

A Look at What You Made Possible in 2025

Awarded 64 Junior Player Scholarships, removing financial barriers to equipment, coaching, and competition fees.
Reached a single-year high of 512 participants through Girls Rule the Court™. In addition, 24 players were selected for the Net Generation US Open On-Court Experience.
Introduced 69,746 students to tennis through school-based programming.
Distributed $22,200 in facility restoration grants to create safer, accessible public courts across the region.

The Power of Our Regional Growth

The numbers tell a compelling story, but the real transformation happens on local courts across our community:

1.4 million people played tennis in the Mid-Atlantic last year, meaning 1 in 11 residents actively engaged with the sport.
More than $500,000 was raised at the 2025 Tennis Creates Gala, directly funding initiatives that bring tennis to underserved communities.

Every milestone from this past year belongs to the players, donors, volunteers, and advocates who show up for our community.

Explore the Impact

Our 2025 Impact Report is an invitation to celebrate how far we have come and see where we are headed next.

View the 2025 Impact Report

Ready to help us make 2026 even stronger? Visit ustamidatlanticfoundation.org

Subscribe to USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation’s YouTube Channel and follow @ustamidatlantic on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promoting tennis and its physical, social, and emotional health benefits. Learn about our impact in the region and how USTA Mid-Atlantic creates community, character, and well-being.

How the 2026 Summer Smash is putting more local kids on court

Thanks to the incredible energy and generosity of our tennis community, the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation’s fifth annual Summer Smash Peer-to-Peer fundraiser was officially one for the record books.

Running May 15 through June 30, supporters across the Mid-Atlantic region stepped up to raise $20,000 for the foundation’s Junior Player Scholarship program.

Every dollar raised through Summer Smash directly breaks down financial barriers for young athletes. Since 2018, scholarship applications in our region have grown by almost 3,000%. Behind every application is a child who wants to compete, improve and belong. Building on momentum from 2025, when donor support enabled the foundation to award scholarships to 63 deserving players, this year’s total ensures even more youth can access lessons, equipment, court time and the lifelong wellness benefits of the sport.

This milestone achievement was fueled by extraordinary teamwork. Generous donors Scott Hulsey, Stephen Bou and the Tokki Catalyst Foundation issued a $10,000 matching challenge, doubling the impact of individual contributions. To propel the campaign across the finish line, The Brammer Family provided a tournament-day boost live from the Mubadala DC Open.

A peer-to-peer fundraiser relies on its community champions. The campaign featured spirited friendly competition from groups like the Sting RAYS!, Karen Murrell’s team and the Slice Girls for Summer Smash.

A massive congratulations goes to top fundraising team co-captains Ella McManus and Cathleen Porter. Together, their squad rallied their network to raise an incredible $3,800.

As the grand prize winners, Ella, Cathleen and their entire team earned a VIP experience in the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation suite at the Mubadala DC Open. Celebrating their incredible achievement together while taking in world-class tennis was a highlight of the summer and a testament to what local supporters can achieve together.

Whether you formed a team, made a gift or shared the mission, you helped make a lasting difference in the lives of local kids. Thank you for serving up opportunities and helping young athletes thrive on and off the court. We already can’t wait to smash more goals together next year!

Subscribe to USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation’s YouTube Channel and follow @ustamidatlantic on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

Co-hosts, honorees, and awardees, standing for a group photos at the 2025 Tennis Creates Gala.

2026 USTA Mid-Atlantic Tennis Creates Awards Open for Nominations

Nominations have officially closed. Winners will be announced shortly. Please visit the Tennis Creates Gala website for the latest updates. For questions and more information, please contact Wornden Ly at wly@mas.usta.com.

In the Mid-Atlantic tennis community, there is no shortage of individuals, organizations, and groups doing great things to grow tennis and change lives through the sport. From league captains who volunteer their time, to providers and coaches who commit to the advancement of their players and their communities through the sport.

For over 100 years, USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation has been creating community, character and well-being. Each year, USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation, a nonprofit organization, honors our members, players, providers, and organizers that support and grow tennis in the region and are excelling at many levels to go above and beyond for tennis and the well-being of others.

This year, USTA Mid-Atlantic will turn to the tennis community to nominate outstanding individuals and community providers for the annual Tennis Creates Awards which will continue to align with the guiding principles of Community, Character, and Well-being under the “USTA Mid-Atlantic Creates” theme.

The award program is rooted with USTA Mid-Atlantic’s mission to promote tennis for healthier lives and communities, making the sport accessible to all in the Mid-Atlantic. Awards emphasize and celebrate programs and people that create community, build character, and encourage overall well-being.

2026 USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation Tennis Creates Award Categories

Provider Champion:

Recognizing a Mid-Atlantic tennis provider of any type including: organizations, facilities, parks and recreation, clubs, school, coach (certified and community-level), tournament director, and other who has stepped up in the community to serve fun, inclusive, and welcoming tennis programs in the Mid-Atlantic that increase access and awareness of the sport.

Consistently creates innovative, impactful, and inclusive programming among able body or adaptive tennis players within the USTA Mid-Atlantic region.
Demonstrated commitment to the growth of tennis in underserved communities.
Used targeted outreach to diversify and engage individuals, communities, ethnicities who might not try tennis otherwise
Broadened reach and impact through partnerships and collaboration with other individuals and organizations
Goes above and beyond to make tennis welcoming (ie: fun, flexible, priced appropriately, accessible, geared toward varying ability and experience levels and ages, emphasizes sportsmanship).
Facilitate two or more USTA programs
Registered tennis programs through USTA’s Serve Tennis.
USTA Safe Play approved and in good standing

Community Champion:

Recognizing a tennis player in the Mid-Atlantic region who has gone above and beyond to serve the community, grow tennis, and increase access to the sport in the region.

All ages are eligible for this award category.
Participant in USTA Mid-Atlantic tennis events/programming (including but not limited to: USTA Mid-Atlantic tournaments, wheelchair tennis programming, JTT programs, USTA League, team challenges, junior circuit events, Mid-Atlantic team events, etc.) or active in the USTA Mid-Atlantic Volunteer Program.
Signed the Mid-Atlantic ACES Sportsmanship Pledge

Youth Leader:

Recognizing a youth tennis player in the Mid-Atlantic who exudes the ideals and values (community, character, well-being and DE&I) of the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation both on and off the court. This award is given to someone who has demonstrated leadership skills for his/her team, character development with sportsmanship recognition, while encouraging and teaching/modeling respect for others, inclusivity and ethics.

Age 17 and under
Participant in USTA Mid-Atlantic programs such as JTT, Tournaments (any level), Team Challenge/Junior Circuit programs and/or school tennis team (MS/HS); and/or a youth associated with a Mid-Atlantic organization (CTA/NJTL); and/or other Mid-Atlantic youth tennis programs (Girls Rule the Court, High School Ambassador program, Junior Scholarship recipient).
Signed the Mid-Atlantic ACES Sportsmanship Pledge

Adult Leader:

Recognizing an adult tennis player in the Mid-Atlantic region who exudes the ideals and values (community, character, well-being and DE&I) of the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation both on and off the court. This individual is a proponent for tennis, supporting the growth of the sport, advocates for tennis and encourages others to get involved in the game. This award is given to someone who has volunteered and/or supported the philanthropic growth of USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation and/or demonstrated leadership skills for his/her team, community program, and/or tennis facility, and consistently showcases sportsmanship.

Age 18 and older
Participant in USTA Leagues, Tournaments, Adult Social programming, Tennis On Campus, College tennis or community organizers involved in Park & Recreation departments, NJTL and/or CTA organizations; or involved in Girls Rule the Court
Can also include parents/guardians whose children are involved in a form of USTA Mid-Atlantic programming
Can also include volunteers registered on the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation Volunteer Hub
Signed the Mid-Atlantic Sportsmanship ACES Pledge (if a parent and/or player in USTA Programs).

Tennis in the Classroom:

Recognizing administrators, teachers, and school tennis providers (i.e. high school and middle school team coaches, school administrators/athletic directors, school parent liaisons, and/or after school tennis program leaders) who go above and beyond to keep their students active with tennis. Nominations open for those working within grades K-12 in the Mid-Atlantic region. USTA SafePlay approved and in good standing.

Physical Education Teachers
High School Tennis Team Coach
Middle School Tennis Team Coach
After School Tennis Leader
School or Association Administrator

Coach of the Year:

This award is given to a coach/provider in the Mid-Atlantic who ensures their programming can be played by all ages and ability levels and that all who play have the opportunity to benefit from the long-lasting physical and social-emotional aspects of the sport.

Be a registered teaching professional and/or certified coach, or a community-level/school-based coach
Safe Play approved and in good standing
Create innovative, impactful, and inclusive programming
Demonstrates commitment to introducing the sport to new audiences; developing players of all ability levels; and retaining players throughout the tennis pathway that is most beneficial to the individual(s).

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USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promoting tennis and its physical, social, and emotional health benefits. Learn about our impact in the Section and how USTA Mid-Atlantic creates community, character, and well-being. Make an impact beyond the net and donate today.

To find more information on past USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation award winners, click here.

A Year of Growth, Impact, and Inspiring Tennis Moments Across the Mid-Atlantic

For over 100 years, USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation champions tennis for healthier lives and communities, making the sport accessible to all in the Mid-Atlantic.

Below are a few highlights of what we’ve accomplished in 2025.

Empowering the Next Generation: Jr. Player Scholarships

This year we awarded over 63 junior player scholarships to help lower the financial barrier of tennis. Scholarships are used to help cover the cost of a tennis racquet, tennis lessons, and tournament fees. One of our recipients, Nate, used his scholarship to play in the Little Mo Tournament in New York, putting his skills to the test to compete against players from other regions. His experience made him love the game even more and be more committed to becoming a better student-athlete. You can watch and read more of his story here.

Girls Rule the Court™ Increases Participation

Girls Rule the Court™ (GRTC), our free after-school program for girls ages 7-13, received 474 participants this year, a 25% increase from last year. The program gained national attention with a feature on the Tennis Channel and new GRTC programs formed in states and areas outside of the Mid-Atlantic to meet the growing interest and need.

GRTC builds and promotes health, wellness, and self-esteem through tennis. Visit GRTC to learn more.

Adult League Championships: A Year of National Highlights

This year, 42 teams represented Team Mid-Atlantic during the 2025 USTA League Nationals Championships. This year, Mid-Atlantic won the Mixed 40 & Over 9.0 National Championships, and our Mixed 18 & Over 7.0 Team received the sportsmanship award.

Four other teams also placed in the top four at their respective National Championships.

More People Picked Up a Racquet for the First Time

Anytime. Anywhere. Flex Leagues participation increased from 589 to 871 since 2024. That’s a 45% growth in a format that allows people to create their own schedule to play competitive tennis in a relaxed and fun environment.

We also saw a 30% increase in weekend tennis players competing in both USTA-sanctioned and unsanctioned tournaments since 2024.

Tennis Creates Gala and Fantasy Clinic

This year’s Tennis Creates Gala was nothing short of extraordinary. Together, our community showed what is possible when passion meets purpose, recognizing gamechangers and visionary leaders. Here are some of the highlights below:

group photo by Sean Shanahan Photography

Nearly half a million dollars raised in support of our mission.

Two legendary leaders honored: Visionary Award Recipient Stacey Allaster and Impact Award Recipient Ray Benton.

Six remarkable Tennis Creates Awards winners, each making a powerful impact through tennis in their community, celebrated for their achievements.

Group photo by Wornden Ly/USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation

Our first-ever Tennis Creates Fantasy Tennis Clinic, led by special guests, former ATP Pros, and Gala co-hosts Sam Querrey and John Isner.

Thank You for Making 2025 a Year to Remember

What we achieved and accomplished this year is possible because of you.

Your support continues to be the catalyst in creating community, character, and well-being through tennis across the Mid-Atlantic.

Here’s to building on this incredible momentum in 2026!

Subscribe to USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation’s YouTube Channel and follow @ustamidatlantic on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

Click here if you want to help us continue our mission before the end of 2025.

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Tag: Impact

Emmy Award-Winning Sports Journalist Malika Andrews to Host 4th Annual USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation Tennis Creates Gala in November

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