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The Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation (MCB) would like to wish all of our players, parents, and friends a Happy Thanksgiving! May this holiday be filled with bountiful blessings!

18th Annual “Little Mo” Internationals

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida (December 6-11, 2024)

600 players from 63 countries!


The Internationals will be held at the Palm Beach Gardens Tennis Center - Friday, December 6 - Wednesday, December 11, 2024. The players will be representing the following countries: Argentina, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Curaçao, Denmark, Ecuador, England, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Turks & Caicos Islands, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Vietnam, Wales, as well as 24 states across the USA! The event will be a fantastic week filled with new friendships, great sportsmanship, and competitive tennis. 

2024 "Little Mo" Slam

Win the Tallest Trophy in Junior Tennis (6 Feet Tall)!

Have you ever dreamed of winning the tallest trophy in junior tennis? In 2013, MCB created the ultimate challenge for any player (ages 8-12) to win the "Little Mo" Slam. The Slam was created in honor of Maureen Connolly's Grand Slam win in 1953 - winning all four major championships (Australian, French, Wimbledon, and US Open) in the same calendar year. If a "Little Mo" player can win their yellow ball division at all three "Little Mo" Internationals (Colorado, New Jersey, Florida) in the same year, they will receive the tallest trophy in junior tennis (6 feet tall) and the title of "Little Mo" Slam Champion! The Slam continued this year with the 1st leg held at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado (June 28 - July 3). The 2nd leg took place at the West Orange Tennis Club in West Orange, New Jersey (August 17-21). The 3rd and final leg will be held at the Palm Beach Gardens Tennis Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida (December 6-11). There have been 11 players who have accomplished this magnificent feat in the past 11 years.

Vlada Hranchar and Yoyo Siyi Li will be competing to win the 2024 "Little Mo" Slam!

Vlada Hranchar (Girls 8) and Yoyo Siyi Li (Girls 10) are still in the running for the 2024 "Little Mo" Slam after winning their age divisions at the "Little Mo" Internationals in Colorado and New Jersey earlier this year! These talented girls will be competing in the "Little Mo" Internationals in Florida for a chance to take home the tallest trophy in junior tennis - 6 feet tall. We wish them both the best of luck in their matches!


Get to know Vlada and Yoyo!

Vlada is in the third grade, attends Florida Virtual School, and her favorite subject is math! She trains at the Rick Macci Tennis Academy in Florida. She enjoys drawing and playing chess outside of playing tennis. "Competing and making new friends," is Vlada's favorite thing about the "Little Mo" tournaments. When asked what winning the "Little Mo" Slam would mean to her, she replied, "then I will understand that my level of play has reached a higher level."


Yoyo is in the fifth grade, attends Montessori School of Regina and her favorite subjects are biology and history. She trains at the Lakeshore Tennis Club in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. She enjoys golfing, skiing, volleyball, playing the piano, Legos, and debating! Yoyo said, "ever since the time I first played "Little Mo", it’s been an amazing experience. You can make friends and have fun. I especially like the part where you collect "Mo" coins and exchange fun items with them!" When asked what winning the "Little Mo" Slam would mean to her, she replied, "it would mean a lot to me, my last year's (and this year's) goal is to win the “Little Mo" Slam. Sadly, last year I didn’t, but I am happy to have another chance this year!"


Vlada and Yoyo are both very excited to possibly win the "Little Mo" Slam!

Rick Macci will be the Guest Speaker at the Opening Ceremony

2024 "Little Mo" Internationals in Florida

Palm Beach Gardens Tennis Center

December 6 at 4:00pm

Rick Macci, one of the most influential tennis coaches in history, has left an indelible mark on the sport. Known for his unparalleled ability to identify and cultivate talent, Rick has played a pivotal role in shaping some of the greatest tennis players of all time. His holistic coaching philosophy and unwavering dedication have made him a legend both on and off the court.


In 1991, Rick traveled to Compton, California, to evaluate two young sisters, Venus and Serena Williams. Despite the challenges and risks, Rick saw the extraordinary potential in the Williams sisters. He relocated them and their family to Florida, offering not only his coaching expertise but also financial and emotional support to help them succeed. His faith in their talent paid off, as Venus and Serena Williams became the most iconic athletes in tennis history. Rick’s ability to transform raw talent into world-class athletes was immortalized in the Academy Award-winning film King Richard, where his role in their early development was brought to life.

Rick’s influence extends far beyond the Williams sisters. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he has coached five players who reached the No. 1 ranking in the world, including Jennifer Capriati, Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, Sofia Kenin, and Venus Williams. His roster also includes a host of other stars, such as Tommy Ho, Mary Pierce, Anastasia Myskina, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, and Stefan Kozlov. Beyond professional players, Rick has also coached Hollywood celebrities, world dignitaries, and countless juniors whose lives have been transformed by his mentorship.


One of Rick’s most impressive accomplishments lies in his work with juniors. His students have captured an astounding 123 "Little Mo" National and International Titles in singles, doubles, and mixed events. These titles, named in honor of Maureen Connolly, the first woman to win the Grand Slam, serve as a testament to Rick’s unparalleled ability to foster young talent. His commitment to excellence and development at the grassroots level has elevated hundreds of juniors into elite players, further solidifying his status as one of the greatest developmental coaches in tennis history.


A seven-time USPTA Coach of the Year and the youngest-ever inductee into the USPTA Hall of Fame, Rick’s list of accolades is unmatched. He has been enshrined in three additional halls of fame, including his hometown Greenville, Ohio, for both tennis and basketball. Rick has authored over 175 articles for Tennis Magazine, produced award-winning instructional videos, and continues to be a sought-after speaker for his insights into athletic performance, mindset, and motivation.


Rick’s coaching philosophy emphasizes the integration of mental fitness with technical excellence. He believes in “rewiring a player’s mindset” to unlock peak performance, a skill that sets him apart from others in the field. His ability to blend psychological and technical adjustments has been instrumental in helping players achieve extraordinary results. Rick’s students not only develop as athletes but also as resilient individuals capable of navigating challenges both on and off the court.



Rick’s tireless work ethic and passion for tennis are evident in his daily routine. Rising at 1:00 a.m., he dedicates himself to his craft with unrelenting energy and focus. His books, Macci Magic and Billion Dollar Mind, and his podcast, Game Set Life, co-hosted with David Meltzer, offer inspiration and guidance to aspiring players, coaches, and fans worldwide.


Beyond coaching, Rick dedicates time to mentoring fellow coaches, equipping them with the tools to motivate and connect with players effectively. His expertise has made him a regular feature on major media outlets, including 60 Minutes, The Today Show, Good Morning America, and Tennis Channel. Rick has shared his insights on networks like ESPN, BBC, Fox News, and CBS, further solidifying his legacy as a transformative figure in tennis.

Please click on the video above to watch Rick Macci's interview by Matias Moran with the "Little Mo" Club.

Please click on the video above to watch Rick Macci with his top junior player, Vlada Hranchar.

The Rafa Nadal Academy is offering an amazing giveaway for all players registered in the 18th Annual "Little Mo" Internationals in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida! They will be awarding a scholarship to one player for one week to attend their academy. The player selected will not only show great sportsmanship on and off the court, but good character and kindness.

Former "Little Mo" Champion Coco Gauff wins the 2024 WTA Finals title!

Congratulations to former "Little Mo" champion Coco Gauff (#3 WTA Singles) on her championship title at the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia! She defeated the world's top two ranked players, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, in the semifinals and in group play, respectively. Gauff then recorded a fantastic comeback performance against reigning Olympic champion, Zheng Qinwen, in the over-three-hour final for a 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2) win. Gauff earned a record-setting $4.8 million for winning the title, the largest paycheck for a WTA event in history. Gauff became the first American to win since Serena Williams in 2014, and the youngest player to hoist the trophy since Maria Sharapova in 2004, the year Gauff was born.


"At the end of the match, when I fell on the floor, I didn't think I was going to do that," Gauff later said. "I kind of made a promise to myself that I will only save that for Grand Slams, but honestly, the way the match went, I was like, 'I'm just tired. I just want to lay on the ground." Click here for photo credits and to read the full article on the ESPN website.

As a junior player, Gauff won the 2012 "Little Mo" Nationals in Austin, Texas and the "Little Mo" Internationals in Forest Hills, New York as an 8-year-old! Later that same year, she was the Girls 8 Singles and Girls 8/9 Doubles champion at the "Little Mo" Internationals in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. In 2021, Gauff and her father were interviewed at the "Little Mo" East Regionals in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida! Gauff's younger brother Cameron was competing in the tournament and she came to support him. Please click on the videos above to watch Gauff's interview (Part #1 and Part #2).


We are so proud of her and glad that the "Little Mo" was such a memorable part of her tennis career - keep up the great work!

2025 "Little Mo" Tournaments


We are aiming to post our 2025 tournament schedule by February/March. When it is available, it will be posted on our MCB website (www.mcbtennis.org) under the "Tournaments" tab. We will most likely be following a very similar schedule compared to this year, which is still included on our website.

The Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation (MCB) would like to thank all of our sponsors! We are so very thankful for their support in making our mission possible to further junior tennis development worldwide!

Jersey Mike's Subs

The Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation is proud to have Jersey Mike's Subs as the "Title Sponsor" of all 2024 "Little Mo" Tournaments (Regionals, Nationals, Internationals)!


"MCB celebrates Jersey Mike's Subs as our Title Sponsor again this year for our regional, national, and international 'Little Mo' tournaments," said Cindy Brinker Simmons, MCB President and daughter of Maureen "Little Mo" Connolly Brinker. "Peter Cancro, Jersey Mikes founder and CEO, has created a company with such an amazing culture of giving back to the communities and to the hundreds of non-profit organizations it serves. Jersey Mike's truly exemplifies excellence in making the best subs in the stratosphere and was recently ranked third in Entrepreneur's annual 'Franchise 500' ranking in the Food category. MCB is profoundly grateful to have the honor of this significant partnership with Jersey Mike's!" 


About Jersey Mike's Subs:

It started back in 1956, in this actual storefront location and was originally called Mike's Subs. Mike opened the small shop in the sea-side town of Point Pleasant, New Jersey. You have to remember that in 1956, there were very few franchise restaurants or hamburger chains. No chain pizza, chicken or taco restaurants, either. In 1956, proprietors of mom-and-pop businesses would open their stores in basic storefront locations like you see here. To survive and thrive, they had to offer exceptional quality products, coupled with unparalleled service. In 1956, Mike was unique in that the product he was offering was a relatively new item in American society – the submarine sandwich.


Mike also benefited from the geographic location of his store. Point Pleasant, New Jersey is centrally located in the state on the legendary Jersey Shore. It is approximately 1 hour south of New York City, 1 hour east of Philadelphia, and about 3 hours north of Maryland, Delaware and Washington, D.C. For over a century, the people that lived and worked in these metropolitan areas would flock to Point Pleasant to experience the sun, surf, sand, boardwalk, salt water taffy, and all the treasures that made up the legendary Jersey Shore experience. Mike capitalized on the influx of vacationers, visitors and local residents by offering them his unique new product – submarine sandwiches. But what really differentiated his restaurant was the experience he gave his customers. Recognizing them by name, and knowing the sandwich they were going to order, because of their frequent visits. People would line up throughout the summer to buy the sub sandwiches that Mike was selling, and to enjoy the experience of coming into his shop. For over half a decade, he built the business into a thriving landmark, and was a pioneer of the authentic subs sandwich.


In 1971, Peter Cancro was a high school student in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. He began working at Mike's Subs at the age of 14. Peter loved working at Mike's. He loved authentic submarine sandwiches. But even more, Peter loved working behind the counter, interacting and talking with the customers. He liked learning about where they were from and their summer vacation experiences. He took pride in knowing which authentic sub sandwich his loyal customer would order as they entered the store. When Peter was a senior in high school, he overheard the owner of Mike's Subs discussing selling the business. He thought to himself, "I love the food, I love working in the store, maybe I'll buy the shop." Pretty ambitious for a 17 year old kid. Peter approached his football coach and said "Hey coach, Mike's Sub shop is for sale, and I'm interested in buying it. Can you help me out?" It didn't hurt that his football coach was also a banker. The football coach came through for Peter, and backed his loan. So, at the tender age of 17 - before he was legally able to slice a sub - Peter Cancro became the owner and proprietor of Mike's Subs.


Shortly after buying Mike's, he married his former wife Linda and they opened a couple more local outlets of Mike's Subs. He expanded upon the phenomenon of Mike's Subs. Teaching the crew to interact and talk with the customer, to share a passion for getting to know the customer. He spent the next decade building on the cult-like following that Mike's Subs already enjoyed. They would have customers lined up out the door in the summertime waiting to get the authentic sub sandwiches that Mike's was famous for.


In the mid-eighties, Peter heard more and more people say, "Peter, we're going to miss you and your subs this winter. We sure wish you would put a Mike's where we live!" People would come in at the end of the summer and get several giant subs wrapped for travel, to carry back to their homes across the country. This got Peter thinking, and he started researching the possibilities of franchising the Mike's concept. In 1987, Peter began franchising. He changed the name from Mike's Subs to Jersey Mike's Subs to capture the authenticity of where the authentic sub sandwich was born.


Today, Peter Cancro is CEO of Jersey Mike's Franchise Systems Inc., overseeing more than 2,000 locations open and under development. Despite the title, Peter still jumps behind the counter to test his skills and demonstrate his passion for the product and the customer. He tries to instill that passion in every store he enters and with every franchisee he meets.


Today, the authentic taste – served Mike's Way® with lettuce, onions, tomatoes, oil, vinegar and spices – is available nationwide. Our secret? Everything about Jersey Mike's is high quality. Our meats and cheeses are all top-quality premium brands. Our bread is fresh-baked each day on the premises. And of course, everything's prepared right in front of you. It's what makes Jersey Mike's the most authentic tasting submarine sandwich available, and it's a tradition of quality we'll never outgrow. For more information, please visit: www.jerseymikes.com.

Tennis Competitors of Dallas

The Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation is proud to have Tennis Competitors of Dallas as the "Travel Grant" Sponsor of all 2024 "Little Mo" Tournaments (Regionals, Nationals, Internationals)!


About Tennis Competitors of Dallas

Founded by the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation in 1977, Tennis Competitors of Dallas began with 18 teams and quickly grew to 28 teams by the fall season. Today, TCD currently has over 8,000 members (342 Ladies Doubles teams, 110 Mixed Doubles teams, 115 Love-50 Doubles teams, 48 Love-60 Doubles teams, 78 Ladies Pickleball teams, and 50 Mixed Doubles Pickleball teams). TCD is a proud sponsor of the "Little Mo" tournaments and they have presented travel grants to deserving "Little Mo" players for many years. Thank you TCD for your loyal support of our organization and players!

Wilson Sporting Goods Company

The Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation is proud to have Wilson Sporting Goods Company as the "Official Racquet, String, and Ball" Sponsor of all 2024 "Little Mo" Tournaments (Regionals, Nationals, Internationals)!

 

“We are beyond excited to announce our continued partnership in 2024 with the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation,” said Marco Ruiz, Head of Global Tennis Sports Marketing for Wilson Sporting Goods, adding, “investing in the next generation of tennis players by providing high-quality equipment and best-in-class service from initial grassroots interest is critical to us and part of our long-term vision to help grow Wilson as a brand and, ultimately, the sports of tennis as a whole. As one of the great champions of tennis and one of our finest Wilson Advisory Staff members, ‘Little Mo’ left a lasting legacy as one of the great champions of tennis, both on and off the court. Our relationship will allow us to support the next generation of tennis champions through the ‘Little Mo’ national and international tournaments by bringing together the youngest and brightest stars in junior tennis.”


"Mom would be thrilled to have Wilson as the 'Official Ball' and 'Official Racquet' of her namesake foundation's elite national and international junior tournaments," said Cindy Brinker Simmons, MCB President and daughter of Maureen "Little Mo" Connolly Brinker. "She was so honored to compete with Wilson racquets during her remarkable career and then later to serve on Wilson's Advisory Board. Wilson and Mom both represent a standard of preeminence in the world of tennis."

 

About Wilson Sporting Goods Company:

Chicago, USA-based Wilson Sporting Goods Company, a subsidiary of Amer Sports Corporation, is the world's leading manufacturer of high-performance sports equipment, apparel, footwear, and accessories. The Company brings more than a century of innovation, history, and heritage across many sports including Racquet Sports, Baseball, Softball, Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer, and Golf. Leveraging player insights to create products that push equipment and apparel innovation into new territories, Wilson empowers athletes at every level to perform at their best. For more information, please visit: www.wilson.com.

Tiffany Hollebeck and Matthew Cody (MCB Tennis Foundation Staff) with David Blakeley (Wilson Sporting Goods Territory Manager) at the Grand Opening of the Wilson Sporting Goods store at the NorthPark Mall in Dallas, Texas.

Lucky in Love Kids

The Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation is proud to have Lucky in Love Kids as the "Official Apparel" Sponsor of the 2024 "Little Mo" South Regionals in Arlington, Texas, 13th Annual "Little Mo" Internationals in West Orange, New Jersey, the 27th Annual "Little Mo" Nationals in Austin, Texas, and the 18th Annual "Little Mo" Internationals in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida!


"The 'Little Mo' tournaments are the perfect place not only to showcase our collections and unique styles, but also to support the community of young aspiring tennis players around the world," said Andrea Tabor, Marketing and Sales manager for Lucky In Love Kids.

 

"We are thrilled to announce Lucky In Love Kids will be the 'Official Apparel Sponsor' of the 'Little Mo' South Regionals, Nationals, and Internationals in New Jersey and Florida this year. Our 'Little Mo' players and other players worldwide love their beautiful clothing and all the new, fun fashions they bring to junior tennis. Lucky In Love Kids is the gold standard and we are so proud to partner with their fine company again this year," said Carol Weyman, MCB Executive Vice President.


About Lucky in Love Kids:

Founded in 2010, the family-owned Lucky In Love has five generations of sports and fashion apparel know-how. The goals have remained the same: to create bold performance-wear that strives to be unique, and dares to be different. Above all else, the brand aspires to inspire and help women of all ages feel amazing so they can venture out into the world as the best versions of themselves, no matter where they sport our clothing. The brand's global headquarters are located in Miami, Florida where they design apparel for the tennis and golf categories. For more information, please follow Lucky In Love on Instagram: @shopluckyinlove and @luckyinlovekids or visit: www.shopluckyinlove.com.

NEW BOYS LINE for Lucky in Love kids to be showcased at the "Little Mo" Internationals in Florida. Stop by their booth to be the first boys to wear this exclusive collection.

Ethos School

The Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation is proud to announce that Ethos School is the "Official Sponsor" of the 2024 "Little Mo" East Regionals in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; the 13th Annual "Little Mo" Internationals in West Orange, New Jersey; the 27th Annual "Little Mo" Nationals in Austin, Texas; and the 18th Annual "Little Mo" Internationals in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida!


"Ethos is excited for the opportunity to be part of the prestigious and legendary Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation in our efforts to support junior tennis," said Scott Hutchinson, Director of Strategic Partnerships for Ethos School. "'Little Mo' is the gold standard and we are proud to be part of the rich and historical tradition that they have built. Our partnership will allow Ethos to support all junior players competing in 'Little Mo' on their educational journey by providing online school options for players looking for high-quality course content in a flexible environment tailored to student athletes."


"We are so proud to announce Ethos as an 'Official Sponsor' of the 'Little Mo' tournaments, and we look forward to working with their fine online school in connecting talented young tennis players with outstanding academics," said Carol

Weyman, MCB Executive Vice President. "Ethos provides an ideal way for high level players to continue their education while traveling and competing in tournaments throughout the school year."


About Ethos School:

Ethos is an innovative online school with high-quality, flexible online courses tailored to students-athlete’s individual needs. They provide online classes for grades 4-12 as well as an AI-based personal tutor, TrekAI. Ethos is next-level learning for next-level athletes. Learn more at: www.ethosschool.org/athletes.


"Ethos is the perfect educational platform for our daughter's tennis training and school priorities. With weekly assignments and interactive video sessions with genuine teachers, it offers a normal classroom experience. One of her teachers even recognized her on TV during the Australian Open, which made her feel valued and supported beyond the online classroom environment." - Mark (Ethos parent)

Stay tuned for fun and exciting activities from the "Little Mo" Club! For more information on future giveaways and contests, please check out and follow the Instagram page: @littlemoclub! Also, be sure to fill out your player's profile so you can participate in all of the fun activities (only for active members with a full profile). Don't forget to add your picture too so your friends can recognize you!


If you have any questions about the "Little Mo" Club or how to activate your account, please send an email to: info@littlemoclub.comThanks so much!

Make A Donation

If you are interested in making a donation, please click on the "Make A Donation" button above. All donations are tax-deductible as the Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. We are also always looking for volunteers at the "Little Mo" tournaments so if you would like to earn community service hours or volunteer your time, please send an email to: carol@mcbtennis.orgWe thank you for your kind consideration and wish you all the very best for a wonderful and memorable year!

If you were a "Little Mo" player and you have recently signed with a college tennis team or you are currently playing college tennis, please email: carol@mcbtennis.org to be featured in our next newsletter.

A Special Thank You To Our Sponsors:

The "Little Mo" tournaments are hosted by MCB in memory of its tennis champion namesake, Maureen "Little Mo" Connolly Brinker. Born in San Diego, Maureen became the first woman to achieve the Grand Slam of tennis in 1953 by winning all four major championships (Australian, French, Wimbledon, and US Open) in the same year. She was well-known for her powerful groundstrokes from the baseline, which earned her the famous nickname "Little Mo" - a comparison to the explosive firepower of the battleship USS Missouri, also known as "Big Mo". Only five players in the history of tennis have won the calendar Grand Slam, and Maureen is still the only American woman and the youngest at age 18 to have accomplished this magnificent feat. She won an amazing nine consecutive championship titles (three US, three Wimbledon, two French, one Australian - undefeated in 50 matches).

Unfortunately, her spectacular career would be short-lived due to a horseback riding accident in 1954. While she could no longer compete at an elite level, Maureen's legacy as a legendary tennis star would continue through the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation (MCB). Founded in 1968 with her dear friend Nancy Jeffett, MCB's mission would be the promotion and support of junior tennis development worldwide. That same year, she was inducted into the prestigious International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. Sadly, Maureen lost her valiant battle with cancer the following year and passed away at the young age of 34. Although her tennis career only spanned three years, many premier sportswriters consider Maureen Connolly to be the finest of all female players for her achievements on and off the court. In 2019, she was honored by the United States Postal Service with her very own "Little Mo" Commemorative Forever Stamp.

Today, MCB continues to support the growth of junior tennis by organizing numerous "Little Mo" tournaments throughout the United States annually for talented girls and boys (ages 8-16). These events are designed to provide outstanding competition at the regional, national, and international level while also encouraging players to develop new friendships, learn good sportsmanship, and most of all, have fun. The "Little Mo" tournaments are also unique in that young players have the opportunity to gauge their ability against others born in the same year from around the world (i.e., 8's play 8's, 9's play 9's). MCB strives to empower young athletes by giving travel grants, "Mo" Coins for prizes, and also Sportsmanship and Kindness awards to deserving individuals in honor of Maureen's legacy. The Foundation also contributes financially to many notable programs including the National Junior Tennis League for inner-city youth and Invest In A Child for deaf and wheelchair tennis.

Over the years, many well-known collegiate players and famous tennis professionals have participated in the "Little Mo" tournaments including Andy Roddick, Coco Gauff, Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Belinda Bencic, Madison Keys, Leylah Fernandez, Dominic Thiem, Emma Raducanu, Sebastian Korda, Christopher Eubanks, Jenson Brooksby, Brandon Nakashima, Vasek Pospisil, Borna Coric, Mackie McDonald, Denis Kudla, Ryan Harrison, Taylor Townsend, Donald Young, Steve Johnson, Sofia Kenin, CiCi Bellis, and Ana Konjuh among many others. Roddick won the "Little Mo" in 1992 (age 10) and he said, "the 'Little Mo' was my first big win!" Gauff won the "Little Mo" in 2012 (age 8) and she said, "the 'Little Mo' is where the belief began." This is all wonderful news for junior tennis and we are so proud that the "Little Mo" continues to be one of the most popular events for young players around the world.

MCB has promoted the development of junior tennis for over 55 years and continues to benefit countless numbers of young players worldwide. It is our mission to provide a special and meaningful experience at all of our events while also inspiring outstanding attributes at a young age such as fair play, good character, integrity, sportsmanship, kindness, giving back, and an "attitude of gratitude". Thank you so much for your support of the "Little Mo" tournaments and the legacy of Maureen Connolly Brinker. Thousands of players compete in the "Little Mo" tournaments annually and we hope to see even more youngsters play this wonderful "sport for a lifetime" this year. We would also very much appreciate your help in spreading the word about the "Little Mo" so we can continue to impact future generations of young players. The MCB Tennis Foundation is led by its directors: Cindy Brinker Simmons (President), Brenda Brinker Bottum (Vice President), and Elizabeth Jeffett (Vice President). Carol Weyman (Executive Vice President), Matthew Cody (Tournament Operations Manager), and Tiffany Hollebeck (Tournament Operations Coordinator) organize the "Little Mo" tournaments. For more information about the "Little Mo", please visit our MCB website at: www.mcbtennis.org and click on "Tournaments". Play "Mo" Tennis!

We hope you will find some time to enjoy the 1978 "Little Mo" movie (made for TV) about Maureen Connolly. The movie is about 2.5 hours long and features some major movie stars like Mark Harmon, Leslie Nielsen, and Glynnis O'Connor. It is a wonderful movie for the entire family and is very inspirational for young players who love the game of tennis. Thank you so much for sharing the "Little Mo" story with your child as it will help make their "Little Mo" experience more meaningful.


To watch the "Little Mo" movie, please click on the popcorn icon!