Tennis Stars Chris Eubanks and Hailey Baptiste Help WTEF Raise Record $1.09 Million
Aug 11, 2026
The Washington Tennis & Education Foundation raised a record $1.09 million at its 2026 Share the Love Gala, providing a major boost for tuition-free tennis, academic and youth development programs serving hundreds of children across Washington, D.C.
More than 550 supporters attended the event at The Ritz-Carlton in Washington, helping WTEF surpass the $1 million mark as the organization looks to significantly expand its reach over the next several years.
The evening also brought together several familiar names from professional tennis. Former ATP standout and current broadcaster Chris Eubanks was honored as WTEF’s Champion of Tennis and participated in a fireside conversation with rising WTA player and WTEF alumna Hailey Baptiste.
Photo credit: WTEF.
The tennis presence grew even stronger when Frances Tiafoe made a surprise appearance during the evening.
For WTEF, however, the biggest result came away from the spotlight. The money raised will support programs that currently serve more than 700 children and teenagers with tennis instruction, academics and life-skills development at no cost to participating families.
“This year’s event brought together 550+ supporters and raised $1.09 million for WTEF,” said Candace Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation. “We are deeply grateful for this extraordinary show of community support.”
Photo credit: WTEF.
Smith said the funding will also help WTEF begin executing a strategic plan aimed at expanding the organization to serve more than 1,000 students annually, tuition-free, within the next five years.
WTEF has spent seven decades using tennis as a vehicle for education and personal development in the Washington area. Its after-school and summer programs combine time on the court with academic support and life-skills instruction, creating a pathway designed to help young people develop both as players and students.
Baptiste represents one example of that pathway. The Washington native came through WTEF before building a professional career on the WTA Tour, making her appearance alongside Eubanks particularly fitting for an event centered on the organization’s next generation.
Photo credit: WTEF.
The gala also highlighted six elementary-aged students recognized as WTEF’s “Stars Among Us.” The students were winners of the organization’s inaugural public-speaking competition, created through a partnership with Highest Speak.
Corporate partnerships remain an important part of WTEF’s ability to offer its programs without tuition. Trustar Bank served as presenting sponsor of the gala, while Mubadala recently renewed its Community Champion partnership with WTEF for another two years.
The Mubadala relationship extends beyond tennis programming. Nine WTEF alumni have now participated in the Mubadala x WTEF Global Internship Program, which provides professional development, career experience and mentorship opportunities connected to the Mubadala DC Open and Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open.
Photo credit: WTEF.
Other companies and organizations supporting the gala included Edward Jones, Citi, Genesis Motor America, MDE Tennis, Greenberg Traurig, NBC4, Telemundo 44 and Tokki Tennis, among others.
For WTEF, the record fundraising total represents more than a successful night. It provides additional resources to continue a model that connects access to tennis with educational opportunity — and potentially gives hundreds more young people a chance to follow a path similar to Baptiste’s.
Founded 70 years ago, the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation continues to pursue its mission of “building life champions” by creating opportunities for young people both on and off the court.
Source: Washington Tennis & Education Foundation.
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