Learn what players are doing to support their communities
The ATP Tour’s stars thrill fans worldwide with their efforts on the tennis court. But perhaps more important is what they’ve been doing off court.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been no matches. However, many players and tournaments have done their part to the combat the virus, whether raising money for charity or purchasing necessary medical equipment to support those on the frontlines.
Learn more about those actions below:
Players
Cabal Launches Campaign To Help Colombian Families Combat COVID-19
Juan Sebastian Cabal, the No. 2 player in the FedEx ATP Doubles Rankings, launched an initiative with his brother to help the most vulnerable people in his hometown of Cali, Colombia. Cabal promoted a campaign on social media to raise funds for buying food in local markets and delivering it to families in need.
Dimitrov Donates Ventilators To Hometown Hospital
Grigor Dimitrov, the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals champion, is currently in California, but his home nation is close to his heart. The Bulgarian donated ventilators to the hospital in his hometown of Haskovo in a bid to help those affected by COVID-19 in his country.
Djokovic Family Donating €1 Million Of Ventilators To Serbia
Novak Djokovic and Jelena Djokovic announced a €1 million donation through the Novak Djokovic Foundation for the purchase of ventilators and medical equipment to support hospitals and other medical institutions in Serbia’s battle against coronavirus.
Djokovic Offers Dream Trip To Next US Open In Charity Auction
Djokovic is offering a dream opportunity in a charity auction to help support Americans in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Serbian is participating in the #allinchallenge, providing a special package for two to the next US Open.
Federer Makes Big Donation To Vulnerable Swiss Families
Roger Federer and his wife Mirka donated one million Swiss Francs (USD $1.02 million) to vulnerable families in Switzerland in the global fight against COVID-19.
How Kiefer Is Doing His Part In Coronavirus Efforts
Former World No. 4 Nicolas Kiefer has worked with the producer of his clothing line, NK #kiwifash, to help promote the spread of reusable masks in Germany.
Knock, Knock, It’s Nick: Kyrgios Could Be At Your Door
Nick Kyrgios posted on Instagram that fans who are struggling during the pandemic should feel free to reach out to him for help through direct message. Soon thereafter he followed through.
“Hey guys, tomorrow I will be doing as many deliveries as I can throughout the day to the nearest people I have been in contact with. If I haven’t read your message yet, trust me I will do my absolute best to get to yours,” Kyrgios wrote. “And to my international friends around the world, I wish I could do more, but right now things are tough, stay strong, brighter days are coming.”
Krawietz & Mies Are Giving Back
Kevin Krawietz learned from a friend who manages a few stores in Munich that they needed workers. He has been waking up to start shifts as early as 5:30am at Lidl, a German supermarket chain. Krawietz has done everything from stocking shelves to disinfecting shopping carts and working security at the front entrance to ensure there are no more than 40 customers inside.
His doubles partner, Andreas Mies, has been working with German football player Bastian Oczipca to deliver fruit to essential workers and the special needs community. The two athletes, who currently serve as ambassadors for the Special Olympics, recently delivered apples to the employees and residents of Lebenshilfe, a non-profit organisation that enables people with intellectual disabilities to lead a more independent life.
Mahut Organises FIFA Tournament To Raise Funds
Frenchman Nicolas Mahut organised the #RestezChezVousTrophy to offer gamers the opportunity to compete in an online FIFA 20 tournament with entry fees being donated to hospital staff. Mahut took to his Instagram account to announce details of the event and invite French players, including Gael Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, to join the fun and help save lives by staying at home and reducing the spread of the virus.
Murray Donates Virtual Madrid Winnings To NHS & Players In Need
After winning the Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro final, Andy Murray announced that his €45,000 prize money will be split equally between the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) and the Player Relief Programme.
Nadal Offers Refuge To Juniors Stranded By Coronavirus
In response to the global outbreak of COVID-19, Nadal took measures to ensure the safety of players stranded at the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar. While following orders and recommendations from authorities, the 19-time Grand Slam champion made arrangements for players at his facility who could not return home due to a variety of issues, including travel restrictions.
Nadal & Gasol Support Red Cross In Fighting Coronavirus
Rafael Nadal and six-time NBA All-Star Pau Gasol launched the #NuestraMejorVictoria (Our Best Victory) campaign to encourage donations from Spanish sportsmen and sportswomen in the fight against COVID-19. The initiative, which forms part of the #CruzRojaResponde (Red Cross Responds) project, aims to raise €11 million and help citizens in need during this health emergency.
Nadal Donates ‘Precious Object’ For Charity Auction
As part of his continuing efforts to support those in need during these tough times, Nadal donated one of his 2019 Roland Garros final match shirts to the ‘La Mejor Asistencia’ (The Best Assistance) auction, organised by Liga ACB, Spain’s top professional basketball division.
Nishikori, Anderson, Fritz Join Celebrity Nintendo Tennis Event For Charity
Kei Nishikori, Kevin Anderson and Taylor Fritz will compete alongside a star-studded cast of celebrities in the Stay at Home Slam, a live virtual tennis tournament on Nintendo Switch’s Mario Tennis Aces.
Competitors will play the video game from their homes and will each receive $25,000, donated to the charity of their choice. The winner of the tournament will receive an additional $1,000,000 to donate.
Qureshi Delivering For 1,000 Families In Pakistan
Two-time Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year winner Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi will not allow Pakistan’s daily workers to be forgotten during this pandemic. Through his foundation Stop War Start Tennis, Qureshi committed to financially supporting ration bags for 1,000 families that have been unable to work and earn their daily sustenance. Each ration bag consists of flour, rice, oil, grains, tea, milk and soap, and can feed a family of five. Qureshi got out in the field himself, making deliveries to those families.
Roddick: ‘We Have To Serve Families That Put Their Faith In Us’
The Andy Roddick Foundation announced the creation of a Family Emergency Fund to help families in need in Austin, Texas. Roddick’s foundation largely revolves around after-school and summer programming for the children in those families, but it has pivoted to support them through this pandemic. Roddick says the closing of schools hurt childhood education, but that it causes other issues in that there are families in the area that rely on the two meals per day kids get at school.
Schwartzman: ‘We’ve Done Something To Help Entertain People In Their Homes’
Diego Schwartzman planned #LaChamplay — two FIFA 20 knock-out competitions including the participation of the two organisers and 14 celebrities — with his footballer friend Paulo Dybala. All money raised was for Red Cross Argentina, with World No. 3 Dominic Thiem among the stars competing.
Sinner Sets Pizza Challenge To Raise Funds
Sinner launched the #SinnerPizzaChallenge, which went viral. He promised to donate €10 alongside his management company Starwing Sports for every photo he receives of a pizza that resembles himself or any past or present Italian figure. The money raised will be used to fund vital medical supplies in Italy during the pandemic.
Sinner & Team Make Donation In Support Of Coronavirus Battle
#NextGenATP Italian sensation Jannik Sinner is doing his part in the battle against coronavirus. The 18-year-old announced on his social media that in conjunction with his management company, StarWing Sports, and coach, Riccardo Piatti, he is donating €12,500 to Cesvi, a humanitarian organisation, to aid with medical emergencies in Bergamo.
Tsitsipas Giving Back Through Charity Auction
Stefanos Tsitsipas, the reigning Nitto ATP Finals champion, has found a new way to give back during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Greek has launched ‘Beyond 100 Support’, an auction for which any money raised will go towards the Player Relief Programme, which will provide much-needed assistance to the players who are particularly affected during this time of the coronavirus crisis.
Tsonga, Gasquet Join French Fundraising Efforts For Hospitals
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet are leading a list of French tennis stars in the fight against COVID-19, with the support of the French Tennis Federation, by donating personal items to a charity auction aimed at raising funds for Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP).
Tournaments
Mutua Madrid Open Donates To Madrid’s Food Bank
With the ATP Masters 1000 in Madrid not held as scheduled, the organisation put on the Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro, with 16 ATP and 16 WTA players participating. On top of the prize money given to players — champion Andy Murray donated all €45,000 he won — the tournament donated €50,000 to Madrid’s Food Bank.
Truist Atlanta Open Feeding Frontline Healthcare Workers
The Truist Atlanta Open announced that it is joining with partner, CIGNA, to feed some of Metro Atlanta’s frontline healthcare workers at Northside Hospital Cherokee on behalf of GF Sports, the Truist Atlanta Open, CIGNA and Waffle House. The Waffle House Food Truck will visit Northside Hospital Cherokee on Tuesday, 14 April from 10am-2pm to feed the daytime shift and on Wednesday, 15 April, from 8pm-12am for the night shift.
Stay At Home Gala Planned To Benefit Greater Houston COVID-19 Recovery Fund
On Friday, 8 May, the inaugural Stay at Home Gala – Houston will be held to support the Greater Houston COVID-19 Recovery Fund, with Bob Bryan, Mike Bryan, John Isner, Steve Johnson, Sam Querrey and Brad Gilbert among the stars set to participate. The Stay at Home Gala – Houston is being organised by the tournament staff of the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship, an ATP Tour tennis tournament that is normally held in April at River Oaks Country Club.
US Open Site To Be Converted Into Temporary Hospital, Number Of Beds To Be Increased
A temporary hospital was constructed at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the US Open. The hospital is housed inside the Indoor Training Center at the NTC, which has 12 courts with about 100,000 square feet of space. Additionally, according to USOpen.org, teams are utilising Louis Armstrong Stadium, the facility’s second-largest stadium, to fulfill meal packages to be sent to patients, workers and school children. There are 25,000 packages being produced per day, with those consisting of two days’ worth of breakfast, lunch and dinner.
