Universal Tennis Foundation Programs

Two tennis players on a court with 'Optimal Performance Grant' text and Universal Tennis Foundation logo.

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Introducing the $100,000 Optimal Performance Grant

The 2026 Universal Tennis Foundation Optimal Performance Grant supports the early-career development of one American male and one American female tennis player by investing in the capabilities needed to excel at the highest levels of global competition. Applications are due 11:59 p.m. EST, April 30, 2026.

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Support foundation mission

The Universal Tennis Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Its federal tax identification number is 92-0791129. All checks can be written to Universal Tennis Foundation and mailed to Universal Tennis Foundation, c/o UTR Sports, 2100 Geng Road 2nd Floor, Palo Alto, CA 94303. If interested in donating through a Charitable Gift Fund, please contact info@universaltennis.foundation for more details.

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2026 Hurd Awards

Reese Brantmeier (University of North Carolina) and Michael Zheng (Columbia University) are the 2026 Hurd Award champions, and Anne-Christine Lutkemeyer (UCLA) and Trevor Svajda (SMU) have been named the finalists. Made possible by Paula Hurd, The Person First, and the Universal Tennis Foundation, the Hurd Award are $100,000 (champions) and $40,000 (finalists) grants that support American tennis players.

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High school tennis grants

The Scholars & Scores Count! High School Grants program supports tennis programs in schools with socioeconomic needs nationwide. Tap or click below to read about the 2025 grant recipients. The 2026 high school grant application window will open in June!

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Support community tennis

The Universal Tennis Foundation supports community tennis throughout the country, including the East Palo Alto Tennis & Tutoring and Acing Autism.

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2026 Hurd Award Recipients revealed

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History of the Hurd Awards

History of the Hurd Awards

In 2017, Mark Hurd, as co-CEO of Oracle Company launched the Oracle U.S. Tennis Awards: a pair of $100,000 grants given to two American college players who are continuing their professional development. The first recipients, UCLA Bruin Mackenzie McDonald and Virginia Cavalier Danielle Collins, each used the award funding to make substantial inroads in their first year on tour. In addition to the Oracle U.S. Tennis awards, Mark Hurd helped upgrade American players' developmental opportunities by creating an invaluable network of Challenger events in the U.S. and also was a huge proponent of the game-changing UTR Rating system.

    Past award recipients

    Past award recipients

    The complete list of award winners, their alma maters, and their career-high ATP/WTA singles rankings:

    • 2017: Mackenzie McDonald (UCLA, No. 37); Danielle Collins (University of Virginia, No. 7);
    • 2018: Christopher Eubanks (Georgia Tech, No. 29); Francesca di Lorenzo (Ohio State University, No. 118);
    • 2019: J.C. Aragone (University of Virginia, No. 224); Jamie Loeb (University of North Carolina, No. 132)
    • 2020: JJ Wolf (Ohio State, No. 39); Sophie Whittle (Gonzaga, No. 399).
    • 2023: Andrew Fenty (Michigan), Peyton Stearns (Texas, No. 43)
    • 2024: Ethan Quinn (Georgia), Fiona Crawley (UNC)
    • 2025: Colton Smith (Arizona); Mary Stoiana (Texas A&M). Finalists: Amelia Honer (UC Santa Barbara); Eliot Spizzirri (Texas)

      Universal Tennis Foundation

      Hurd Awards Council

      Award recipients are evaluated by Paula Hurd (Chairperson of Universal Tennis Foundation & Member of Baylor's Board of Regents); Lindsay Davenport (former world No. 1 & 3-time Grand Slam singles champion); Tracy Austin (former world No. 1 & 2-time Grand Slam singles champion; Mary Joe Fernandez (former world No. 1 & 2-time Olympic doubles gold medalist); Peggy Michel (3-time Grand Slam doubles champion & Assistant Tournament Director of the BNP Paribas Open); Todd Martin (former world No. 4 & 2-time Grand Slam singles finalist); Gordon Uehling (former ATP pro & coaching advisor to Novak Djokovic); and Chase Hodges (UTR Sports Senior Vice President).

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      Universal Tennis Foundation Notice

      UNIVERSAL TENNIS FOUNDATION IS REGISTERED WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES. REGISTRATION NO. CH82937. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-HELP-FLA) OR ONLINE AT WWW.FLORIDACONSUMERHELP.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.