Our Mission
The Rise Project supports promising rising ATP and WTA players of exceptional character who aspire to break into the Top 100 - and who we believe will be incredible role models and mentors for others as their careers progress.
In the challenging world of professional tennis, the reality is that many lack robust support systems and are struggling to make ends meet. The Rise Project was created by a passionate, supportive community of enthusiastic adult amateur tennis players and world-class coaches who want to help.
Our goal is to enhance the potential of a select group of rising players, enabling them to dream, aspire, excel, and "pay it forward" as their careers progress. We catalyze support and coaching resources to alleviate financial stress and distractions, allowing our fellows to focus on their training -- lifting the burdens while imposing no additional expectations. Above all, we work to make players feel deeply supported along their journey by a community that cares. We hope that the opportunity and experience afforded to Rise Project fellows will last a lifetime.
The Rise Project invests in people, not just players.
Ultimately, success to us isn't just about our scholarship winners rising in the rankings -- but above all, about how they demonstrate growth as great humans and give back as their careers evolve.
Every donation to The Rise Project is 100% tax deductible, helping provide the coaching, travel, training, recovery, and performance resources our fellows need to pursue their potential both on and off the court.
Meet our 2026 Rise Project Scholarship Winner
In 2026, we invited several of the world’s top coaches to nominate players to apply for our inaugural Rise Project Fellowship program. After a highly competitive application and interview process, we were thrilled to name the winner: Gabriela Knutson.
GABRIELA KNUTSON
From the collegiate courts of Syracuse University to competing on the professional tour, Gabriela Knutson has embraced every stage of her tennis journey with determination, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to reaching her full potential. As the newest recipient of the Rise Project Scholarship, Gabriela represents the next generation of athletes striving to break through to the highest level of professional tennis.
Born in the Czech Republic and raised in California, Gabriela developed a passion for the game at a young age. That passion carried her to Syracuse University, where she became one of the most accomplished players in program history. As an All-American, she established herself among the nation's top collegiate players while developing the competitive mindset and work ethic that continue to define her professional career.
Today, Gabriela is pursuing one of the most challenging goals in tennis: earning a place among the WTA Top 100. Like many players competing on the professional tour, success depends not only on talent and hard work, but also on having the support system that makes international competition possible. Every tournament represents another opportunity to improve, learn, and move one step closer to achieving a lifelong dream.
Through the Rise Project, Gabriela joins a community committed to helping promising athletes overcome the financial and logistical challenges of professional tennis. More than simply receiving support, she hopes to share her journey with players, coaches, and fans who understand what it takes to pursue excellence and who believe in investing in the future of the sport.
As a Rise Project ambassador, Gabriela is excited to connect with the Tennis Congress community, provide an authentic look into life on the professional tour, and inspire the next generation of players to dream big, work relentlessly, and embrace every opportunity that the game provides.
Follow Gabriela's tennis journey on
Instagram!
Here is the Net Gains Foundation and Rise Project in action, with 2023-2024 scholarship winner Fernanda Contreras Gomez:
Fernanda was part of our inaugural award, where we were able to learn so much about the type of support these players need and how to help them truly Rise.
Unfortunately, Fernanda had to cut her tennis journey short due to injury, but we are still excited to be able to support our future scholarship winners!
To learn more about the Rise Project or to apply to become a Rise Project Athlete, contact Net Gains Foundation Director Gary Innes: gary@tenniscongress.org.
