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Mission Statement
To promote the game of tennis in the Asian American community.

Purpose
The AATF is committed to enhance the tennis environment within the Asian American community. Our focus is on tournament players of all levels. Below are key initiatives to ensure the success of the AATF:

1. Developing a strong community voice throughout the larger tennis world.

2. Building a community which supports and recognizes the efforts and achievements of AATF members

3. Providing a variety of resources for AATF members to achieve their goals as tennis players (financial, advice, coaching, clinics, support).

4. Educating AATF members about the tennis specific skills that foster success in all areas of life.

5. Fostering AATF members to become role models within their communities.

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History
The Asian American Tennis Foundation (AATF) was formed in 1990, with the primary purpose of motivating and encouraging Asian American youths to get involved in the game of tennis. To support our initiatives, the AATF created annual events and programs such as the AATF Tennis Grant Program and the Asian American Tennis Championships to recognize tennis players' academic, athletic, and community service achievements.

The Asian American Tennis Championships (AATC) has a history long before the AATF was found. In 1976, Mr. Willard Hom had a vision to provide Asian American tennis players with an opportunity to compete against players of similar caliber and background. In a short period of time, the AATC gained popularity among Asian tennis players around the world and provided encouragement to many talented players who otherwise would not have the opportunity to participate in national tournaments. Through out the years, the tournament attracted over 300 players annually from the United States and Asia to support the growth of tennis in the Asian American community.

From the support of dedicated individuals, communities, businesses, and corporations, the AATC was able to support our seniors in the Asian American community. From 1986 to 1989, the South Bay Chinese Tennis Club raised over $160,000 from four years of AATC funding. The proceeds benefited seniors in Self-Help for the Elderly, a non-profit organization serving over 20,000 senior citizens in the San Francisco Bay Area.

In 1990, the Asian American Tennis Foundation was formed to develop junior tennis players, to establish tennis grants, and to conduct the AATC. The AATF undertook an evaluation of the programs to ensure the effectiveness in meeting their objectives and goals. From 1990 to 1997, the AATF sponsored the AATF Tennis Scholar of the Year, the AATF Training Grants, and the AATF Financial Aid for High School Tennis Teams.

In 1997, the AATF slowed down after years of hard work. Their mission to increase Asian American participation in tennis had been an astounding success. The AATF waited for a new team of enthusiasts to redevelop and progress the foundation into the next stage.

In 2002, previous recipients who benefited from the support of the AATF decided to rekindle the foundation. Through a deep sense of gratitude, they wanted to give other tennis players the same opportunities and experiences they received through the AATF. Tomorrow's AATF will strive to follow the footsteps of its past leaders and promote the game of tennis within in the Asian American Community.

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General Contact Information Asian American Tennis Foundation

Officers Michael Chan Jessup President Cynthia Lu Director of Community Relations Pauli Wang Director of Operations

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