James Blake, Brandon Nakashima star at San Diego fundraiser to benefit coach Tom Svajda

The support of family is incredibly important for professional tennis players, who often spend months of the year away from home as they chase their dreams. But this year, family has taken on a new meaning for 21-year-old American Zach Svajda, and he's leaning on his chosen, tennis family to help support a special loved one at home.

This summer after Wimbledon, the former USTA Boys' 18s national champion's father, longtime San Diego-area tennis coach Tom Svajda, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, leaving Svajda, his younger brother Trevor Svajda (who played No. 1 singles last year as a freshman on the Southern Methodist University tennis team), their mother Anita, needing to care for him.

Tom Svajda was a fixture as a teaching pro at the Pacific Beach Tennis Club for more than 20 years, but his illness has rendered him too weak to teach. That hasn't kept him away from tennis though, according to his eldest son, who says his dad's still "obsessed with tennis," and asks him how things are going on court even during his treatments.

"O\]ur journey through his treatment and fight has been incredibly challenging," Zach Svajda, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 102 in August, [told the ATP website last week. "Supporting him through this has been one of the most difficult yet meaningful experiences of my life."

But quickly, others in the tight-knit local tennis community, and worldwide, rallied to help Tom Svajda's fight. The GoFundMe created to support Tom Svajda's medical expenses and the family has, to date, raised nearly $93,000 of its initial $150,000 goal, and over the weekend, James Blake and Brandon Nakashima participated in a fundraising exhibition to raise more money. The event, hosted at Rancho Santa Fe Tennis Club in San Diego, featured the Svajda brothers competing in a doubles match against Blake and Nakashima.

“I’ve known Tom and the Svajda family for more than a decade since my junior tennis days competing with Zachary," Nakashima said. "Tom has been so committed to helping his kids pursue their passion. Zachary and I have a great friendship. We train together, motivate each other, and push each other through the challenges of the tour.

"For me, it is so fulfilling to use my platform to lift up their spirits during this very difficult time. I love to give back to the community whenever I have an opportunity to do so.”

Former world No. 4 Blake, unfortunately, knows all too well what the Svajda family is currently experiencing, as he lost his own father to gastric cancer in 2004.

"When a part of the tennis family is hurting, the whole community is hurting," Blake, who also resides in San Diego, said, noting that the personal memories of playing tennis with his parents is what compelled him to participate.

“We feel for Tom so much and want to do what we can to help the family and raise some money. So the time and energy for me to be a part of it is my pleasure. I hope it makes a meaningful difference.”

Fans interested in contributing to the GoFundMe to support Tom Svajda can do so by clicking here.