Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan
Video credit: Janet Donovan
“I started tennis when I was fifteen and became very passionate about it,” said Ray Benton who co- hosted a cocktail reception in honor of the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) with GEICO at the residence of the Swedish Ambassador, H. E. Jonas Hafstrom.
Ray Benton, Chris Evert, Phil De Picciotto and Mrs. Eva Hafstrom, wife of the Swedish Amb.
“I grew up in Iowa City, Iowa and went to the University of Iowa where the varsity tennis coach was an amazing coach and an amazing community outreach person. He really built tennis in the community.” Benton ended up playing on the varsity team. At seventeen he started teaching on the public courts.
In his professional life Benton has respresented some of the greats: Arthur Ashe and Jimmy Connors.
Benton is the COO of JTCC, “a world-class training center in College Park – working top quality junior athletes to hone their talent and skill. Additionally, JTCC is giving back to the D.C. community through their Game On! initiative. This community outreach initiative sends JTCC senior coaches and champion players to area schools to coach, inspire and mentor disadvantaged youth. The most talented and motivated players are identified through Game On! and become eligible to join JTCC’s training program,” according to their mission statement.
John Breaux and Chris Evert
In addition to benefiting Junior Tennis Champions Center’s Game On! program, Hall of Famer Chris Evert and former Senator John Breaux were honored for their contributions to the game of tennis at the event. Evert is a former World No. 1 professional tennis player who won 18 Grand Slam singles championships and three doubles titles and reached 34 Grand Slam singles finals, more than any player, man or woman, in the history of professional tennis.
Chris Evert and former Rep. Jane Harman
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