AAPITA’s Emerging leaders mentorship Program

The Asian American Pacific Islander Tennis Association (AAPITA) runs the Emerging Leaders Mentorship Program, pairing high-performing AAPI junior tennis players with former AAPI professionals for six weeks of personalized mentorship on training, mindset, and career navigation.

Each mentee is matched with a mentor who has competed at the professional level and understands their experience as an AAPI athlete. Over six weeks, mentor and mentee meet virtually to work through everything from technical development and match strategy to mindset and balancing tennis with school. The program builds toward a USTA L1 National Tournament. Each mentee also receives a $1,250 travel stipend to help get there.

Program Details and Benefits:

  • A mentor who has played at the professional level and shares their AAPI heritage

  • Personalized guidance on training, mindset, and match strategy

  • A $1,250 travel stipend to the culminating national championship

  • A mentor relationship that continues past the six weeks

  • Connection to a broader network of AAPI professionals in tennis

Applications for our next cohort will open in October. Check back here and follow us on our social channels to stay up to date on program details and dates.

Read more about the program and AAPITA:

Mentee Eligibility:

  • Must be competing in the 14 and Under category for the duration of the program

  • Player must be ranked top 200 nationally in the 14 and Under category and compete in the USTA Winter National Championships — if the mentee intended to play in the USTA Winter National Championships and withdraws or does not get into the event, the virtual mentorship will be completed, but the stipend will not be awarded

  • Must have a current valid U.S. passport or U.S. proof of citizenship

  • Must have lived in the U.S. for 24 consecutive months prior to application close date

  • Must sign AAPITA General Waiver Language (02.12.25).docx (parent/guardian to sign page 2)

  • Mentees/parent or guardians will be asked to complete a program feedback survey at the completion of the program

Mentor Eligibility:

  • Must have competed on the ATP or WTA Tour and achieved a ranking of Top 150 in singles or Top 50 in doubles

  • Mentor must be SafePlay approved

Important Information:

  • Number of mentees and stipend allocation are subject to change based on the discretion of the selection committee and special circumstances

  • Final candidates are a group of top candidates, narrowed down from the application pool. Final candidates will be expected to meet with the selection committee, who will then determine the one mentee who will participate in the program

  • Mentorship program is not affiliated with the USTA