Supporting Our Community

The Berkeley Tennis Club Foundation, the charitable arm of The Nationals, is dedicated not only to providing the participants in the tournament with their most enjoyable National Championship experience. Founded in 2007 as a California non-profit corporation, it is also dedicated to supporting our local community and is proud to be affiliated with quality programs that provide opportunities to youth.

Youth Tennis Advantage
Youth Tennis Advantage is dedicated to serving youth in inner city communities, primarily in the San Francisco and Oakland areas, through a comprehensive program of tennis and academic tutoring that promotes the physical, educational, and life skills necessary to prepare and empower them for leadership in their communities, and success in their personal lives.  Youth Tennis Advantage uses the game of tennis to help kids:
  • Develop work ethic and build discipline
  • Manage mistakes and solve problems
  • Accept responsibility for their actions
  • Manage emotions in the face of adversity
  • Manage stress
  • Enhance decision-making skills
  • Develop effective performance rituals
  • Learn sportsmanship and life skills
  • Win with grace and lose with honor
  • Learn teamwork and communication

In 2008, the Tournament Steering Committee donated $5,000 out of the proceeds of the tournament, bringing total donations to $10,000. The Committee has again selected Youth Tennis Advantage to be the recipient of a donation out of the proceeds from the 2009 Nationals

Berkeley High School Tennis Team
The Steering Committee is proud to announce that the Berkeley High School’s tennis team will also be receiving support.  A portion of the proceeds from the 2009 tournament will be donated to fund the team and its efforts to rebuild the school’s tennis facilities.

Kids’ Day at the Nationals
Annually, the tournament hosts “Kids’ Day at the Nationals.”  Children from local organizations including the Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Oakland and the Berkeley National Junior Tennis League come to learn about tennis by speaking with players, coaches, and volunteers.  The children learn how sports, tennis in particular, can enhance their own lives and give them opportunities to attend college.  The group also watches some of the day’s tournament play, receives tennis t-shirts, and participates in a meet and greet with the players where they get autographs.