TEMPE, Ariz. — Over the course of the 2025-26 college tennis season, members of the ITA Student-Athlete Council will be featured in monthly spotlights that will give the greater college tennis community an inside look at some of our Student-Athlete Council members and what they are accomplishing on and off the court.
The next spotlight of the season features Sahana Madala, a sophomore at Johns Hopkins University who intends on using her platform to enhance student-athlete resources surrounding mental health, community involvement and student-led initiatives that shape the college tennis experience.
Read more about Sahana in this spotlight below:
Why was it important to you to apply to the ITA Student-Athlete Council, and what does it mean to you to represent college tennis athletes from across all levels of play, as well as specifically the level of play where you compete?
During my time in college and as a student-athlete, I want to help bring greater visibility to larger issues through the lens of tennis. Being on the ITA Student-Athlete Council has given me an amazing opportunity to do just this. It has been an incredibly rewarding experience thus far, not only because of the initiatives we are working on, but also because of the chance to meet and learn from athletes across the country.
Division III is unique in that it gives student-athletes flexibility to be deeply invested in their own personal interests alongside tennis. Many of us balance demanding academic schedules while committing to practice, travel, and competition, often alongside research, campus jobs, and other extracurriculars. In my experience at Hopkins, I’ve been able to pursue my academic and career interests while still competing at a high level. I’m extremely proud to represent my team and Division III tennis, and grateful for the opportunity to advocate for the student athlete experience by highlighting these perspectives.
You’ve expressed a desire to educate players and coaches on cultural competence. What are some specific ways you hope to spark these “nuanced conversations” regarding the experiences of international or marginalized student-athletes during your time on the Council?
One of the most meaningful ways I hope to spark conversations around cultural competence is by creating spaces where student-athletes can share their own experiences. Through our monthly DEI podcast, we hope to highlight individuals who are paving the way for future generations in tennis. Hearing these stories firsthand helps better understand how culture and identity shape the student-athlete experience. I also want to use the Council as a platform to normalize conversations around mental health by partnering with organizations such as NAMI and Morgan’s Message. As part of the Student-Athlete Council, we hope to bring initiatives that provide education and resources that help student-athletes pursue their goals. My goal is to make these topics feel accessible and to ensure that diverse perspectives are valued within the broader tennis community.
You have extensive experience with the nonprofit Second Serve, organizing donation drives to distribute equipment to underserved communities. How can collegiate tennis programs better leverage their resources to create similar pathways for inclusion in the sport?
I served as a Regional Director for Second Serve for several years, but the reason I joined the organization goes back to a family trip to India. While there, I volunteered at Bright Life Foundation’s Sri Sarada Niketan Public School, where students were eager to participate in sports but didn’t have access to basic equipment. Seeing this gap firsthand was an eye-opening moment for me to see inequity in access and ultimately pushed me to get more involved with Second Serve. Through Second Serve, I was able to organize fundraising events and equipment collection drives, working with local tennis clubs and schools to gather gently used rackets, shoes, and balls that would otherwise be thrown away. Collegiate tennis programs are in a unique position to create similar pathways for inclusion because they have the resources and visibility within the community. Teams can host equipment drives at matches, partner with organizations, and build long-term relationships with local schools and community centers. Beyond donations, student-athletes can volunteer their time by organizing clinics or mentoring younger players, making tennis more accessible and inspiring the next generation.
As a voice for student-athletes nationwide, what is the one specific, student-led change you are most determined to bring to Division III tennis?
One change that I am most determined to bring to Division III tennis is establishing long-term, student-led community partnerships between teams and local schools or organizations. Instead of singular service events, each program would work with one community partner over the course of a season or an entire year. Building long-term relationships, allows teams to mentor younger athletes and create stronger engagement with the surrounding community. Through these partnerships student-athletes can mentor younger players and share perspectives about balancing academics and athletics. Other potential ideas include hosting tennis clinics, volunteering, or providing equipment. Over time, this consistency creates stronger engagement and helps younger students see Division III athletics as a possible path down the road.
I am extremely grateful to the ITA and the ITA Student-Athlete Council for giving me the opportunity to voice my perspectives and be part of such a meaningful experience. Being able to connect with athletes from across the country, collaborate on initiatives, and see those ideas be implemented has been incredibly rewarding. There is still a lot of work to be done, but I am proud to be part of the process and excited to keep contributing further.
The ITA Student-Athlete Council is a committee of student-athletes who play college tennis assembled to provide insights regarding the sport with a special emphasis on the student-athlete experience. The goals of this committee are as follows: Present a student-athlete voice within the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) (1), Offer input regarding matters pertaining to the sport, particularly issues impacting the lives of student-athletes (2), Work to enhance the student-athlete experience specific to college tennis across all divisions (3), Invest in the leaders of tomorrow by creating leadership and professional development opportunities (4).