His Excellency Jonas Hafström, Ambassador of Sweden, and Mrs. Eva Hafström were Honorary Chairs of another fabulous Annual Mixed Doubles Tennis Tournament — our 23rd for the event, and their 6th year hosting. Though rain washed away most tournament play on Sunday morning,  exhibition matches in the afternoon on the Swedish Embassy Residence court were followed by a fabulous evening dinner reception, award ceremony and silent auction also at the residence. We were wowed by junior exhibition players Lilly Lynham, Shannon Hanley, Lizzie Baker and Valerie Ho in an all-USTA-Mid-Atlantic-ranked face-off and celebrity match players Mark Ein, Richey Renenberg, Dan Waldman and Gordi Ernst.  Much gratitiude to Junior Tennis Champions Center C.E.O. Ray Benton and Washington Kastles owner Mark Ein who arranged the exhibitions.  Co-chair of AFTA’s 25th Anniversary WUSA9 anchor JC Hayward gave a warm greeting to guests and toasted AFTA’s mission.  Saluted were Ambassador and Mrs. Hafström for their dedication and commitment to helping ensure the success of this event for AFTA during their time here in the U.S. — they head back to Sweden in June 2013 — and a dedicated tennis committee led by this year’s new event chair Bill Weber and outgoing and long-time chair, AFTA trustee Kuni Matsuda.  Thanks so very much to our sponsors, court hosts, patrons, volunteers and friends who made it all possible.  Coverage can be found at Swedish Scene and at JCHayward.com; the evening’s program is available here and more photos can be found on Flickr (by stephaniewilliamsimages.com; additional thanks to Kuni Matsuda and Brandi Rose).  Contact [email protected] if you’re interested in joining the 2014 tennis committee.