USTA raises more than $5 million for NJTL network

There's no question about it, this year has hit the tennis world hard, but it didn't knock the sport out. While the return of pro tennis has picked up most of the headlines, the survival of junior tennis programming has been flying under the radar.

The National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network is responsible for more than 250 nonprofit youth development organizations that offer free or low-cost tennis and education programming to over 160,000 under-resourced youth each year. This year, due to COVID-19, NJTL has been dealing with immense financial strain after being forced to cancel and postpone its usual fundraising events.

So the USTA stepped in with the Rally to Rebuild initiative, which USTA foundation chairperson Chris Evert announced in June. The 18-time Grand Slam champion and the USTA pledged to raise $4 million, but the initiative soared beyond that goal.

The Rally to Rebuild campaign raised over $5 million, which will go directly into supporting the NJTL program that has helped enrich so many young lives. Funds came in from donors, sponsors and efforts like the "Black Lives to the Front" auction, ace donations, and even players hitting balls at Emirates signs post-match.

“I am so proud to have led the USTA Foundation's Rally to Rebuild campaign to give every student the opportunity to stay connected, mentally and physically strong, and academically engaged,” Evert said.

Numerous US Open sponsors including Rolex, American Express, Deloitte and JPMorgan Chase all supported the initiative. Another US Open sponsor, Mercedes-Benz USA, donated $50 for each ace hit during all of the singles matches (there would be a total of 3,193).

“The USTA Foundation expresses its heartfelt gratitude to each and every individual who helped make this campaign a smashing success,” said Dan Faber, Executive Director of the USTA Foundation.

The USTA is thrilled that the NJTL will have the support it needs to continue helping young children benefit from the game of tennis.