By Tennis Now | @TennisNow | Monday, March 10, 2025
Photo credits: Rainer Torrado Studio
As a three-time All-American at UCLA, Mackenzie McDonald understands the profound impact of higher education.
Now, McDonald is dedicated to empowering junior players in their quest for college success.
In collaboration with Mackenzie (Mackie) McDonald, the USTA Foundation has proudly launched the Mackie McDonald College Fund.
The Mackie McDonald College Fund is an innovative program designed to provide grants to high school seniors pursuing their tennis journeys at the collegiate level.
This initiative will directly benefit student-athletes who have progressed through the USTA Foundation’s National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network—a vast group of over 250 community organizations that leverage tennis to equip young individuals from underserved backgrounds for successful futures.
McDonald, currently ranked No. 37 in ATP singles and No. 49 in ATP doubles, is renowned for his remarkable victory over Rafael Nadal in the second round of the 2023 Australian Open. He also boasts an impressive Division I collegiate record prior to his professional career.
Hailing from Piedmont, California, McDonald played for the UCLA Bruins from 2014-2016, where he achieved All-America status for three consecutive years. In his final season, he clinched the No. 1 spot in both singles and doubles in the ITA collegiate rankings and triumphed at the NCAA singles and doubles championships in 2016, becoming the first male player to accomplish this in 15 years and only the fifth since 1974.
With the support of the USTA Foundation, McDonald aims to share his journey and motivate the upcoming generation of college-bound students to pursue their aspirations. He believes this fund will help young individuals appreciate the value of education while fostering their growth both in sports and in life.
“Attending UCLA was one of the best choices I’ve ever made, and I’m thrilled to contribute to helping young people chase their academic dreams, on and off the court,” McDonald expressed. “It’s crucial that we work towards making sure every young person, regardless of their background, can access the incredible opportunities that higher education offers. I eagerly anticipate how this Fund will not only support these young individuals and their education but also their families and communities.”
