Our Mission

Our mission is to open the doors of elite-level tennis to every child, regardless of financial circumstance, by providing world-class coaching, development programs, and lifelong opportunities typically accessible only to the wealthy. We believe that greatness exists everywhere, but access does not — and no child’s potential should be limited by the ability to pay.

MIKA’S STORY (FOUNDING STORY)

From IMMIGRANT to Opportunity Builder

I am Mika Sakvarelidze. As a young immigrant from war-torn Georgia, my family arrived with nothing — not even enough for a can of tennis balls. My father and I collected discarded balls from court fences just so I could practice. Without money for lessons, I trained alone, driven by passion and by the rare kindness of those who helped when they could.

Eventually, through persistence and generosity, I earned a sponsorship to Les Pyramides Tennis Academy — an opportunity that changed my life. Today, countless children stand in the same place I once stood: full of talent, passion, and potential, but locked out by financial barriers.

This foundation exists to change that.

Anna’s Story

A Life Shaped by Tennis and Service

Anna’s journey in both tennis and philanthropy began long before the MTA Youth Sports Foundation was created. As the older sister, she was actually the first in her family to pick up a tennis racket. She started playing around age seven and instantly fell in love with the sport. Tennis became a defining part of her childhood until age fifteen, when life pulled her in other directions and she stepped away from the game for many years.

Her path into service began during a challenging season of her life. When she was pregnant with her first daughter, Ema, the economy was struggling. With limited resources and no insurance, she found support through a nonprofit offering classes and essential items for new mothers. Experiencing that kindness and generosity—especially after attending a fundraiser where strangers helped provide for families like hers—deeply moved her. She promised herself that one day, she would give back in the same way.

That promise led her to Rotary. For the past 12 years, Anna has been an active Rotarian, dedicating her time to both local service and annual international humanitarian projects. Helping others became not just something she participated in—it became her purpose.

In 2023, life came full circle. Mika opened Mika’s Tennis Academy in Van Nuys, and Anna decided to try playing again after many years away. The moment she stepped on the court, the love she had as a child returned. She immediately knew she wanted to be part of building something meaningful with her brother. What began as hitting a few balls turned into working side-by-side with Mika to grow the academy and shape its mission.

Together, they created the MTA Youth Sports Foundation—a blend of Mika’s elite coaching and Anna’s lifelong passion for service. Their vision is simple yet powerful: to keep kids off the streets, to give them a safe place to belong, and to offer high-level training and mentorship to those who might never otherwise have access to opportunities like this.

For Anna, this work is more than a program. It’s a reflection of her own journey—from a young tennis player, to a mother helped by community generosity, to a Rotarian serving across the world, and now to a leader building pathways for the next generation.

ABOUT US

WHO WE ARE

Founded by former competitive player Mika Sakvarelidze, the MTA Youth Foundation was built from lived experience — not theory. We know firsthand what it means to chase a dream with empty pockets and unstoppable determination.

What We Do

We break the financial barrier in tennis by providing:

• Elite-level coaching from highly qualified professionals
  

• Comprehensive athletic development & mentorship
  

• Competitive training & advancement pathways
  

• Full scholarships for athletes committed to pursuing excellence

We deliver not charity-level programming, but true high-performance training — the same level traditionally reserved for the privileged few.

PROGRAMS

Elite Coaching

Top-tier instruction, technical mastery, tactical development, and personalized training plans.

Scholarship Pathway

Full-access support for dedicated athletes, including development, equipment, travel, and tournament fees.

Competitive Pathways

Preparation for sectional, national, and international competition.

Mentorship & Character Development

Building leaders, resilience, discipline, and confidence — on and off the court.

Our Vision

A world where every child — no matter their economic background — has equal access to elite tennis development and the chance to reach their fullest potential. We aim to transform a sport long reserved for the privileged into a pathway of hope, excellence, and possibility.

CORE VALUES GRID

1. Access & Opportunity
   Talent should never be limited by finances.
   

2. Excellence
   We provide the highest standard of training.
   

3. Integrity & Character
   We build leaders, not just athletes.
   

4. Community & Compassion
   A foundation built on belonging and support.
   

5. Resilience & Grit
   Greatness grows through struggle and perseverance.
   

6. Equity & Representation
   Bringing diversity and inclusion to a sport that needs it.
   

7. Belief in Human Potential
   We see what a child can become before they can see it themselves.

Why It Matters

For generations, tennis has remained one of the least accessible youth sports in America. We’re changing that — one child, one scholarship, one breakthrough at a time.

Your support creates:

• Future athletes
  

• Future leaders
  

• Future opportunities
  

• Future hope