JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The United States Tennis Association (USTA) Florida honored former tennis champion MaliVai Washington and the MaliVai Washington Youth Tennis Foundation during its 75th Anniversary Celebration on Monday, Oct. 7. The event recognized Washington's impact on the city of Jacksonville and tennis in Florida through his foundation.
Washington said the foundation's goal is to introduce tennis to minority communities. For nearly three decades, the foundation has served Jacksonville, benefiting more than 20,000 students.
"Ninety-eight percent of our kids are young Black boys and girls, but I love introducing them to something that is nontraditional," Washington said. "'Let me introduce you to the best sport in the world, and that's the sport of tennis.'"
He said the foundation is for children in kindergarten to their senior year of high school.