Fredericksburg Junior Uses USTA Programming to Help Become Successful
Fredericksburg Junior Uses USTA Programming to Help Become Successful
Juhan Washington, a former varsity tennis player at James Monroe High School in Fredericksburg, is one of USTA/Virginia Tennis' true success stories.
In 2009, Juhan was a freshman in high school playing on the school’s basketball team. Prior to high school, he had no experience with tennis and never really considered playing it. One day, however, he was contacted by George Christoforatos, the head tennis coach at James Monroe, about possibly trying out for the tennis team. Although his other basketball teammates scoffed the invite off, saying that tennis was a "soft sport", Juhan went ahead and tried out anyway.
This decision turned out to be a wonderful one for everyone involved. During freshman year, Juhan received the incentive award and made it to the top 6 players of the already strong team. As a sophomore, he managed to reach the top 3 and played #1 doubles. During his junior year, he achieved the number one spot on his team. Finally, during Juhan's senior year, he helped lead the team to their first Regional Championship.
During all four years of high school, Juhan led the team to District Titles and received multiple recognitions such as All Area, All District, All Region, MVP, Comeback Player of the Year, and Team Captain. Throughout the remainder of high school, he would continue to practice during his free time, attending tennis camps (such as the William and Mary's Summer Camp) funded by USTA grants, and participating in USTA competition such as Jr. Team Tennis and sanctioned tournaments.
In addition to his remarkable growth, he was a man of great integrity and courage. Coach Christoforatos gave a perfect example of this by telling a story from Juhan’s sophomore year. Juhan had dislocated his shoulder and was given clearance to play underhanded at the tournament. Despite his injury and disadvantageous position of not being able to serve properly, he still won all of his matches and served as a critical part to get the team through the District Tournament and deep into the Regional Playoff.
Juhan is now playing at Virginia Wesleyan, and hopes to make the top six. As a young African American athlete who had never played tennis until his freshman year of high school, who was then able to progress so far and even make it into a college team, he is truly a shining example of a success story for aspiring tennis players to look up to.
Although his hard work, dedication to the sport, drive and determination made it possible for him to become the success story he is today, the USTA programs such as JTT, tournaments, and tennis player grant, served as the crux that ultimately allowed him to succeed. Without the USTA, Juhan would have never gotten the tennis instruction, match play, and most importantly, the tennis bug.
Juhan Washington, a former varsity tennis player at James Monroe High School in Fredericksburg, is one of USTA/Virginia Tennis' true success stories.In 2009, Juhan was a freshman in high school playing on the school’s basketball team. Prior to high school, he had no experience with tennis and never really considered playing it. One day, however, he was contacted by George Christoforatos, the head tennis coach at James Monroe, about possibly trying out for the tennis team. Although his other basketball teammates scoffed the invite off, saying that tennis was a "soft sport", Juhan went ahead and tried out anyway.
This decision turned out to be a wonderful one for everyone involved. During freshman year, Juhan received the incentive award and made it to the top 6 players of the already strong team. As a sophomore, he managed to reach the top 3 and played #1 doubles. During his junior year, he achieved the number one spot on his team. Finally, during Juhan's senior year, he helped lead the team to their first Regional Championship.
During all four years of high school, Juhan led the team to District Titles and received multiple recognitions such as All Area, All District, All Region, MVP, Comeback Player of the Year, and Team Captain. Throughout the remainder of high school, he would continue to practice during his free time, attending tennis camps (such as the William and Mary's Summer Camp) funded by USTA grants, and participating in USTA competition such as Jr. Team Tennis and sanctioned tournaments.
In addition to his remarkable growth, he was a man of great integrity and courage. Coach Christoforatos gave a perfect example of this by telling a story from Juhan’s sophomore year. Juhan had dislocated his shoulder and was given clearance to play underhanded at the tournament. Despite his injury and disadvantageous position of not being able to serve properly, he still won all of his matches and served as a critical part to get the team through the District Tournament and deep into the Regional Playoff.
Juhan is now playing at Virginia Wesleyan, and hopes to make the top six. As a young African American athlete who had never played tennis until his freshman year of high school, who was then able to progress so far and even make it into a college team, he is truly a shining example of a success story for aspiring tennis players to look up to.
Although his hard work, dedication to the sport, drive and determination made it possible for him to become the success story he is today, the USTA programs such as JTT, tournaments, and tennis player grant, served as the crux that ultimately allowed him to succeed. Without the USTA, Juhan would have never gotten the tennis instruction, match play, and most importantly, the tennis bug.
