Emerging AAPI Leaders Mentorship Program
A six-week mentorship program pairing promising AAPI junior players with former AAPI professionals for personalized weekly guidance, community, and support.
Program overview
ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
AAPITA's flagship Emerging AAPI Leaders Mentorship Program connects top AAPI junior tennis players with former AAPI professionals for six weeks of personalized weekly mentorship. Mentees receive guidance across tennis strategy, mental preparation, sportsmanship, and what it means to navigate the tennis ecosystem as an AAPI player.
The program culminates at a USTA national championship event, where mentees compete with the support of their mentor, their peers, and the AAPITA community. Each mentee receives a $1,250 travel stipend to support their participation.
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The program runs for six weeks and is built around weekly virtual mentorship sessions between mentee and mentor.
Format: Weekly virtual sessions, with a parent or guardian present for all minors.
Timing: The six-week program is periodized to align with a Level 1 USTA event, giving mentees real competitive context for the work they're doing.
Topics covered: Tennis strategy and technique, mental preparation, sportsmanship, scheduling and tournament selection, and navigating the tennis world as an AAPI player.
Travel stipend: Each mentee receives $1,250 to support travel and competition costs related to the culminating event.
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The mentorship program follows a five-phase timeline each cohort.
Phase 1: Applications Open. Players submit their applications through the online form.
Phase 2: Selection. AAPITA reviews applications and selects mentees based on competitive level, character, and fit.
Phase 3: Introductions. Mentees are matched with mentors and the cohort kicks off with introductions and program orientation.
Phase 4: Six-Week Program. Weekly virtual sessions between mentees and mentors, building toward the culminating event.
Phase 5: Feedback. A program survey closes out the experience and helps shape future cohorts.
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Mentees must meet the following criteria to apply:
Identify as Asian American or Pacific Islander.
Be a junior tennis player ranked at a competitive level appropriate for the program.
Be available for weekly virtual sessions during the six-week program.
Have a parent or guardian who can be present for all virtual sessions.
Be available to compete at the culminating national championship event.
Complete the AAPITA General Waiver before participating.
AAPITA General Waiver -
Mentors must meet the following criteria:
Identify as Asian American or Pacific Islander.
Be a former professional tennis player with experience that can support a junior's development.
Be available for weekly virtual sessions during the six-week program.
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Our mentors are former AAPI professional tennis players who have lived the experience our mentees are working toward. Click below to view full bios for the current cohort's mentors.
APPLY
APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM
Applications for the next cohort are open. If you're an AAPI junior player ready to take the next step in your tennis career, we'd love to hear from you.