For Poway High School freshman Ava Delgado, every step onto the tennis court carries the weight of her Mexican-American heritage, her family’s sacrifice and hard work, and her commitment to giving back to the community. As the only freshman on the varsity squad, Ava is already making an impact on and off the court, showing that limited access to specialized resources does not have to limit what is possible when met with grit, drive, and a passion for lifting up others.

Grounded in Family and Sacrifice

Raised in Escondido before moving to Poway in 2021 as a third-grader, Ava watched early on as her mother, Rebecca, dedicated countless hours to ensuring her children received the best possible opportunities. Despite living in Escondido, Rebecca drove Ava and her siblings to Poway Unified School District schools each day from preschool onward.

“She has always wanted to give us the best education possible and has worked hard to make sure we have a chance to succeed in life,” Ava reflected.

Her mother’s focus on academics set a high bar early on. A lifelong straight-A student, Ava brings the same dedication to her schoolwork as she does to the tennis court, frequently using travel time to tournaments to stay on top of her assignments.

That commitment to opportunity runs deep in the Delgado family. Ava’s father, who grew up in Colima, Mexico, came to the United States under humble circumstances, living with extended family in crowded housing until they could save enough to establish their own home. He became the first college graduate in his family, earning a degree in accounting and helping establish a family mindset centered on education, hard work, and creating greater opportunities for the next generation.

“Hard work is the term that we use in our family and is instilled in me to work harder and be better than what my parents have accomplished,” Ava shared. “And for my future kids to do better. Each generation must be better.”

Finding Her Game on Public Courts

Athletics were always a staple of the Delgado household, with soccer serving as a common bond. Her father played the sport, her older brother is currently pursuing Division 1 recruitment, and Ava spent her early years playing competitively. Tennis, however, was also in her blood. Her mother played varsity tennis at Rancho Bernardo High School and was recruited by Point Loma Nazarene University before ultimately choosing Cal State San Marcos to earn a marketing degree.

It wasn’t until 2021 that Ava began transitioning her primary focus toward tennis. While she continued playing soccer for fun, the tennis court quickly became the place where her competitive fire took root.

Not belonging to a private tennis club, Ava’s game was forged entirely on public courts across San Diego County. For the Delgado family, utilizing public courts was both a practical choice and a necessity.

“We have always used and played on public courts all throughout San Diego,” Rebecca said. “We have never belonged to a tennis club as it is too expensive.”

Ava echoed that perspective, emphasizing how her family prioritizes their resources. “My mom has been a stay at home mom for 12 years. Living off one income with a tennis athlete in the family gets really expensive, which is why we play on public courts. Honestly, even if my family could afford membership to a tennis club, we would rather put that money towards lessons, physical training and the other necessary costs that go with playing such as tournament fees, travel expenses, and tennis equipment.”

That public court tenacity has translated into momentum on the junior circuit. In just one year, Ava made a rapid ascent through the USTA ranks, jumping from Level 6 tournaments in the summer of 2025 to competing in high-stakes Level 3 events. To keep up with the demands of top-tier competition, she has incorporated specialized tennis fitness into her weekly regimen alongside four multi-hour court practices.

The rise hasn’t come without real-world challenges. Navigating tournament schedules, adding private instruction, and managing travel budgets requires constant planning for a multi-child household.

“Like everyone else in the sport of tennis, my family and I also have financial challenges at times,” Ava acknowledged. “I’m not the only child or athlete in the family.”

Expanding Access

Ava’s first-hand experience with the financial barriers of competitive tennis inspired her to launch her own initiative, Open The Court. The idea was born out of a moment of spring cleaning when Ava found herself sorting through athletic gear and clothing she had outgrown.

Rather than dropping the items into a generic donation bin, Ava wanted to ensure the gear went directly to aspiring players who faced financial hurdles to playing the sport, particularly in underserved neighborhoods.

“Cleaning out my closet became the inspiration for Open The Court, as I know tennis is an expensive sport and I wanted to make gear and clothing more accessible, especially within my Latino community,” Ava said. “To give people an opportunity to feel welcomed into the sport and have access to items they might not otherwise have is a great feeling.” 

For Ava, the impact of Open The Court extends beyond simply putting equipment in a young player’s hands. She believes that having proper gear directly impacts a young athlete’s mindset. Stepping onto the court with quality shoes, racquets, and apparel can help give players a sense of belonging and confidence, while removing the unspoken anxiety of feeling out of place in a historically costly sport.

She began volunteering with Club Raquetas, a cross-border athletic and social club founded by Tony Ley with a mission to grow tennis in the South Bay region of San Diego, particularly within the Mexican-American community. At local clinics, Ava helped set up tables where families could pick up free clothing, racquets, and equipment, or win gear as clinic prizes. Community support quickly followed. Local advocate Roberto Ancira provided a pivotal donation of brand-new tennis bags and balls, which gave Open The Court the foundation it needed to partner with established grassroots organizations. Ava’s cousin Danica also stepped up, contributing additional racquets and gear to boost the nonprofit’s inventory.

For Ava, the visual impact of the donations makes all the time spent organizing worth it. She recalls one clinic where the winner of a tennis game could hardly contain his excitement.

“He was nonstop telling me how excited he was to win a new tennis bag as he did not own one and was in need,” Ava said. “I loved seeing how happy he was and knowing that it went to the right person.”

Beyond equipment distribution, Ava stays actively involved in broader tennis community events. She and her mother recently made the drive from San Diego to Pasadena to volunteer at the richsport x Pasadena Tennis NJTL event, where Ava got to assist young players on court while connecting with richsport founder Sarah Koudouzian and hearing about her own transition from competitive player to entrepreneur.

“What motivates me to stay active in the tennis community is the opportunity to meet new people, help young players, and participate in events that make tennis more welcoming and inclusive for everyone,” Ava stated.

That drive to give back is rooted in her upbringing.

“I’m so grateful to my parents for everything they do to help me pursue my goals, especially my mom for getting me involved in the tennis community,” Ava shared. “She showed me that there’s so much more to tennis than just the sport, and that I can be an inspiration to young Latina athletes.”

Cultural Pride and Leadership 

For Ava, Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the values that shaped her while encouraging other young Latina athletes to see themselves in tennis. Her Mexican-American heritage serves as both a deep connection to her family’s roots and the primary motor driving her performance and service, offering a constant reminder of the perseverance that brought her family here. 

As a new member of the USTA Southern California Youth Leadership Council (YLC), Ava embraces her role as a leader for younger Latina athletes entering the sport. For Ava, representation on the court goes hand in hand with grassroots activism off of it.

“My Hispanic heritage gives me motivation to work hard and make my family and community proud,” Ava reflected. “As an athlete, it reminds me to never give up and to keep pushing through challenges. Off the court, I want to help others, stay involved in my community, and show younger girls and tennis players that you can achieve anything if you work hard and stay dedicated.”

During Hispanic Heritage Month in particular, Ava emphasizes the importance of honoring her lineage while serving as an active role model for the next generation.

“I think it is especially important to celebrate where I came from and recognize the hard work and accomplishments of the Hispanic community,” Ava mentioned. “It is about being role models to other Latina girls and showing them what we can accomplish.”

Ava draws much of her motivation from fellow Southern California Latinas who are blazing trails close to home in the tennis world.

“Daniela Borruel and Esther Hendershott have been inspirations of mine because of the way they’ve pursued their goals,” Ava commented. “Their dedication and passion have shown me that it’s possible to make a difference while doing something you care about. I admire Daniela for being a Division 1 Latina athlete at a top university like USC, which has now put the university on my radar. I also admire Esther for her deep involvement in the tennis community, her efforts to increase Latino representation in the sport, and the dedication she brings to every event. Both of them motivate me to work hard and keep pushing toward my goals.” 

Looking forward, Ava’s ambitions remain unbounded. On the court, she is eyeing a spot at the Easter Bowl with the ultimate goal of securing a Division 1 college tennis scholarship at a university that balances top-tier athletics with academic rigor. With Open The Court, she plans to continue expanding donation outreach to local Southern California families, utilizing her Instagram platform, @openthecourt, and volunteering at regional events, including the Free Hispanic Heritage Month celebration that happened last month at Cal State Los Angeles. 

When asked what advice she has for other young athletes who want to start their own community initiatives, Ava’s message is straightforward and empowering. 

“Believe in yourself and your ideas and just get started. You don’t have to have everything figured out right away. You can start small, ask for help, and work your way up. Even a small effort can have a big impact on someone in your community, so stay committed to making a difference.”