MaliVai Washington Receives NJTL Founders’ Service Award

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At the USTA’s Annual Meeting and Conference, former pro and friend of the Arthur Ashe Learning Center MaliVai Washington was honored with the NJTL Founders’ Service Award. Washington was a top player in the 1990s, reaching 11th in the ATP rankings and the finals of Wimbledon in 1996.

However, the Founders’ Award is in recognition of his contributions off the court: in 1997 he began teaching tennis through the Boys & Girls Club which developed into the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation. MWYF brings programs that combine tennis, education and service to kids, especially at-risk youth, in Jacksonville, FL. In 2008 they opened the MaliVai Washington Youth Center, a $3.8 million facility with plenty of classrooms alongside tennis courts, a fitness room, a library and computer lab, allowing them to serve an even greater number of children in the community.

Washington lent a helping hand to the AALC when he hosted the 2013 Birthday Celebration and Inspirational Tour Exhibit Preview event in Richmond, VA. Previous winners of the NJTL Founders’ Service Award include AALC Directors Christine Beck and David Dinkins. 

Read more about the award on USTA.com