Doudoukjain Family Excels at 14th Annual SPUD Tournament
By Rex Maynard, Tournament Director
The 14th Annual Special Populations Unified Doubles (SPUD) tournament drew a record 62 athletes and was played July 10-11, in Belton, SC. The 50 unified partners were divided into four teams, with each athlete playing three unified doubles matches during the two days.
The athletes enjoyed good weather and food, as well as great social interaction and dancing to the live music of the Combo Kings.
John and Jackson Doudoukjain from Irmo, SC, began playing SPUD in 2021. John is 28 and Jackson 27, and both have high-functioning autism. They began playing tennis 18 years ago when Special Olympics hosted a workshop in Columbia, SC.
John Sr. followed up by regularly feeding them balls on the court. They joined Team Nettie’s Fault Special Olympics (led by Nettie Howerin) and began taking lessons from South Carolina Tennis Hall of Famer Freddy Goodman. Team Nettie’s Fault practices on Saturday mornings throughout the year.
Besides SPUD, they play in numerous events every year, including Bandana (SC) Special Olympics Fall Games and Special Olympics North America. John played in the USA games in 2024 at Level 4, and he won silver in singles and gold in doubles (with his dad).
Both boys are now Level 5 players. They played in the 2025 South Carolina Qualifying Tournament where Jackson defeated John in the championship match to qualify for the USTA Tournament in Orlando, FL. He went on to win the Flight Two USTA Championship.
John, Sr. encourages the boys to play tennis because it offers great exercise for both the body and the mind, helps with hand-eye coordination, provides social interaction, allows them to be around their peers in a nonjudgmental way, and gives them an opportunity to make new friends. Both John and Jackson also swim competitively, and they won a combined five gold medals at the 2026 Summer Games at Fort Jackson. The boys work at The Creek at Mango Park, in Irmo, and serve as the Sergeants at Arms for the Dutch Fork Civitan’s Club.
When asked why the family comes to SPUD every year, John said, “We love the small town atmosphere, the venues and the people!” When asked what tennis meant to him, Jackson said, “It provides life skills, discipline and the importance of serving others.” The Doudoukjian family is a true champion family of tennis and life!
