A Commitment to the Next Generation
American tennis professional Mackenzie “Mackie” McDonald is making significant moves both on and off the court. The former UCLA standout has partnered with the USTA Foundation, the charitable arm of the United States Tennis Association, to launch the Mackie McDonald College Fund. Announced in March 2025, this initiative is designed to support the next generation of student-athletes by providing individual player grants to high school seniors from the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network who plan to continue their tennis careers in college.
The NJTL network, co-founded by tennis legend Arthur Ashe, consists of over 250 community organizations dedicated to empowering under-resourced youth through tennis and education. McDonald, who had a stellar collegiate career before turning pro, emphasized the importance of his time at UCLA. “Going to UCLA turned out to be one of the best decisions I made in my life, and for my life, and I’m happy to be playing a part in helping young people chase their college dreams, on and off the court,” McDonald stated in an open letter. This fund marks the second of its kind, following the USTA Foundation’s Frances Tiafoe Fund launched in 2023, as per information from digitaltrendstoday.com.
Career Highlights and Recent Form
McDonald’s advocacy for college tennis is rooted in his own success. During his time with the UCLA Bruins from 2014 to 2016, he earned All-America honors each year. In 2016, he achieved a rare feat by sweeping the NCAA singles and doubles titles, becoming the first man in 15 years to do so. His professional career has also seen remarkable highs, including a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 37 and a memorable victory over Rafael Nadal at the 2023 Australian Open.
His journey has not been without challenges. After undergoing hamstring surgery in 2019, McDonald made a strong return to the tour, earning him the ATP’s “Comeback Player of the Year” award in 2021. Recently, the soon-to-be 30-year-old has been navigating the competitive ATP Tour with mixed results:
- At the Mubadala Citi DC Open, he fell to fellow American Ben Shelton in the opening round with a score of 6-3, 6-4.
- During the French Open, he faced 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, losing in straight sets 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
- He secured a hard-fought victory against Botic van de Zandschulp at the Chengdu Open, winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
Personal Milestones and Looking Ahead
Away from the court, McDonald celebrated a personal milestone in April 2025, announcing his engagement to WTA player Maria Mateas. He shared that he had been traveling with the ring for months, waiting for the perfect moment to propose. “We couldn’t be happier,” McDonald told ATPTour.com. “Our families are so happy, and we’re looking forward to forever.”
As McDonald continues to compete, his focus is clearly twofold: climbing back up the rankings and solidifying his legacy through philanthropy. By establishing the Mackie McDonald College Fund, he is paying forward the opportunities that shaped his own path. His commitment to supporting young athletes underscores the invaluable lessons learned through balancing academics and athletics, ensuring that his impact on the sport will extend far beyond his own match results.
