NEW YORK CITY, August 11, 2025 – The Asian American Pacific Islander Tennis Association (AAPITA) has completed its first-ever Emerging AAPI Leaders Mentorship Program, pairing two promising junior players with accomplished former professionals for six weeks of guidance, support, and inspiration. The program concluded at the USTA Clay Court National Championships in July and will further expand in 2025-2026 with a new cohort.

The inaugural class included Blake Wu Chang, mentored by former WTA pro Samantha Crawford, and Evaan Mohan, paired with former WTA pro Jamie Hampton. Over the course of the program, mentees met virtually each week for in-depth sessions on strategy, match preparation, mental focus, and navigating the sport as AAPI athletes. Each mentee also received a travel stipend to compete at the USTA Clay Court Nationals.

“This program was built to give young AAPI players the kind of guidance I wish I had when I was starting out. Our mentors not only shared their expertise on the court, but also their experiences navigating the sport as AAPI athletes. We’re proud of what Blake and Evaan accomplished, and this is only the beginning,” said Vania King, President and Founder of AAPITA.

The mentorship program is designed to give junior players direct access to professionals who have competed at the highest levels of the game. Topics covered included tennis identity, goal setting, physical and mental conditioning, and sportsmanship, all within a timeline that aligned with the competitive season.

“Working with Blake and sharing what I’ve learned over my career was incredibly rewarding,” said Samantha Crawford. “It’s exciting to see the next generation of AAPI players coming up with such dedication and passion for the game.”

Jamie Hampton added, “Evaan’s passion for the game and the level of engagement he demonstrated stood out from day one, especially for someone his age. It was so rewarding and fun to be involved in his development, and I’m excited to see his progress.”

AAPITA plans to expand the mentorship program to reach more junior athletes across the country. While applications for the next cohort have not yet opened, updates will be announced soon. This fall, AAPITA will also be present at the 2025 US Open, supporting Asian American Pacific Islander athletes competing in the tournament and participating in an AAPI Diversity Talk on September 3rd. Additional activities and programming are in the works throughout the rest of the year at various events and will be shared at aapita.org once details are confirmed.

About the Asian American Pacific Islander Tennis Association (AAPITA)AAPITA’s mission is to develop, grow, and elevate the visibility and interests of the Asian American Pacific Islander tennis community. Through leadership development, community building, and program initiatives, AAPITA aims to inspire, educate, and create opportunities for AAPI players at all levels of the game. For more information, visit www.aapita.org or email info@aapita.org. Follow AAPITA on Instagram, X, and Facebook. 

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