MaliVai Washington

MaliVai Washington played both singles and doubles at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, losing in the quarters of the singles. Washington, usually known simply as Mal, played in college at the University of Michigan. He was ranked #1 in college as a sophomore and turned professional after that year, playing on the ATP Tour from 1988-99.

Washington won four ATP tiles, but his most notable tournament came in 1996 when he lost in the Wimbledon final to Richard Krajicek. Washington also made the finals of Masters 1000 events at Miami in 1993 and Stuttgart in 1995. His highest world ranking was #11, which he achieved in October 1992. Washington rarely played doubles.

In 1994 Washington set up the MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation, to teach achievement and life skills to children through playing tennis. For his efforts in helping children, he was given the ATP Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2009. In 2015 he received the NJTL (National Junior Tennis League) Founders’ Service Award for his contributions to support education and tennis among children, particularly underprivileged youths.