Masaaki Morita Tennis Fund Offers Scholarships for Junior Players to Study Abroad

The Masaaki Morita Tennis Fund (MMTF), a public interest incorporated foundation, is seeking talented junior players to award scholarships for studying abroad in 2024. This initiative aims to support the next generation of Japanese tennis players who will lead the sport in the future.

Empowering Junior Players to Reach New Heights

MMTF has a proven track record of supporting top Japanese players, including Kei Nishikori (UNIQLO/world rank 201) and Yoshihito Nishioka (MIKIHOUSE/world rank 54). These players received significant support from MMTF during their junior days, gaining valuable experience overseas from a young age and eventually becoming world-class players.

Success Stories of MMTF Scholars

In 2019, Shintaro Mochizuki (Kinoshita Group/ranked 147th) became the first Japanese male to win the Wimbledon Junior Championship, thanks in part to the support he received from MMTF since he was 13 years old. More recently, Sakamoto Rei (Homare High School/ITF Junior World Ranking 3rd) won a Grand Slam junior singles title at the Australian Open, while 16-year-old Sonobe Yasao (Yono Tennis Club/ITF Junior World Ranking 6th) achieved impressive results by coming in second in the US Open junior women’s singles.

Eligibility and Application Details

Junior players who meet the following eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply:

• Japanese junior players who are in the top four or higher in the U-14 boys’ singles or girls’ singles of the 2024 “National Junior Tennis Championships” or “All Japan Junior Championships”
• Japanese junior players born on or after April 2, 2012, who place in the top four or higher in the U-12 boys’ singles or girls’ singles of the 2024 “National Selected Junior Tennis Championships,” “National Elementary School Tennis Championships,” or “All Japan Junior Championships”

The application period begins on October 1, 2024. The selection process will involve a document screening, followed by a selection meeting in Japan and a final selection in the United States.

Scholarship Details

The scholarship includes:

• Annual round-trip ticket between Haneda and the US
• Accommodation at a tennis academy (training and dormitory)
• Travel expenses decided by the academy

Please note that athletes who have signed sponsorship contracts or financial support from other companies or organizations will not be eligible to proceed to the selection process.