Top tennis players who have made a mark beyond the tennis court

Tennis players are known for their aggression during matches, grunting during rallies, smashing rackets in frustration and their fierce competitive nature. But many tennis stars have another side to their lives, a side that hasn’t shone in the limelight – charity or philanthropy. Innumerable stars, both active and retired, have set up numerous foundations and charitable societies because they feel entitled to give back something to the game that made them what they are. Some have set up tennis foundations that cater to the not-so-fortunate class of society and help underprivileged children by introducing sport as an integral part of their lives.

Here we take a look at some of the players and their respective charitable organizations.

Andre Agassi Foundation and Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy

Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf at a bowling event organised by their foundation

One of the greatest players to ever step on a tennis court, and one of the two players to achieve a Golden Slam (the 4 Grand Slams as well as the Olympic Gold), Andre Agassi won 8 Grand Slams during his tennis career. Alumnus of the famous Nick Bollettieri’s academy in Florida, Agassi went on to establish himself amongst the tennis greats with his unique playing style and his bold fashion style.

While he was still a player, Agassi was involved in numerous philanthropic activities. Way back in 1994, the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education had been established, and since its inception, the foundation has amassed $177 million dollars to educate disadvantaged youth, especially children. Agassi was bestowed with the ATP Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award in 1995 in recognition of his contribution towards the development of youth.

His foundation also boasts a world-class junior tennis team and a basketball team known as “the Agassi Stars.”

In 2001, his foundation opened the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas, an institution that provides free education for at-risk children, those who are susceptible to a disease or those who lack parental or familial guidance.

Agassi has also supported other charitable programs for children, including Child Haven, a residential facility for abused children in Clark County, Nevada.

In addition to this, Agassi has participated in many exhibition tournaments and fundraisers.

Andy Roddick Foundation

Andy Roddick – His foundation has helped many young children

The Andy Roddick Foundation was established in the year 2000 by Andy Roddick, American tennis professional. Roddick, who is widely known for his booming serves, founded the organization with an intention of bridging the educational gap by providing children with opportunities. The foundation which was initially started in Boca Raton, Florida changed base to Austin, Texas in 2012.

“Talent is universal. Opportunities are not.”

This is the slogan that greets you on the official website of the foundation, whose goal is to provide “sports-based mentoring to children, preparing each youth to succeed in the game of life.”

A-Rod retired at the age of 30 to purely focus on his foundation. The nonprofit organization has ambitious aims of building a Sports & Learning Center in East Austin, Texas, a sprawling campus of over 10,000 square feet that shall house computer labs, meeting and mentoring rooms and staff work space along with by tennis courts, basketball courts, sports fields, and outdoor learning spaces.

It also hosts an annual Andy Roddick Foundation Charity Gala every year, with funds generated going to the activities of the foundation.

In recognition of the foundation’s good work, it was honored with the “Outstanding Foundation” award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Chapter in 2005.

Roger Federer Foundation

Roger Federer as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2007

Roger Federer is another prominent player who has been involved in charitable activities through the course of his tennis career.

After being announced as UNICEF’s international Goodwill Ambassador in 2006, Federer addressed the media saying “I may have achieved a lot on the court, but I would also like to try to achieve more now off the court.” Federer actively participated in UNICEF’s relief activities in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami that rocked the Indian Ocean. As a part of relief efforts, Federer personally visited Tamil Nadu, an area that was devastated by the tsunami.

Federer also established the Roger Federer Foundation in 2003 with his mother. His foundation aims to promote sports amongst those who are not so fortunate.

Federer formed a charity fundraiser called “Hit for Haiti” in 2010 during the Australian Open, where top tennis players, both men and women, joined hands to contribute towards funds that were meant to help the Haiti earthquake victims.

Federer’s foundation has been supporting the activities of Imbewu, an agency to aid disadvantaged children in South Africa since 2004.

Fundación Rafa Nadal

Rafa Nadal Foundation assist children and youth in India

The Rafael Nadal Foundation was started in November 2007 with an intention to aid and develop children and youth. The inspiration for this foundation stemmed from a Red Cross benefit match that Nadal and Iker Casillas participated in. Nadal was surprised by the amount of money collected and this instilled the belief in him that he could contribute beyond the tennis court and prompted him to start his own foundation.

The foundation has since spread its wings to India, setting up an academy in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. The Fundación, whose motto is “to provide an opportunity for children and adolescents with disabilities and from underprivileged surroundings”, has collaborated with the Vicente Ferrer Foundation towards the Anantapur Educational Center project.

The academy in Anantapur is a center for excellence where Nuria Sanchez Garcia, a former professional tennis player mentors budding tennis players and educates them about the finer aspects of the game. Garcia, a batch mate of Carla Suarez Navarro and Nicolas Almagro at their tennis academy back in Barcelona, played professional till she was 21, when she decided to hang up her racket and vowed to never touch it again. But it was Rafa who persuaded her to come here and volunteer at the Academy.

The complex encompasses five state-of-the-art and flood-lit clay courts, encased within the low platform of a school corridor and the foundation hopes to utilise “sport as a tool for personal and social reintegration” in the lives of the children who are a part of it.

The Vijay Amritraj Foundation

The Vijay Amritraj Foundation helps the victims of disease, tragedy and circumstance in India.

Vijay Amritraj began his philanthropic activities when he became the eighth UN Messenger for Peace in 2001. In his six-year association with the UN, he became actively involved in spreading awareness about HIV-AIDS and substance abuse.

After completing his tenure as Messenger for Peace, Amritraj felt the need to do more for the people. “You need to be an example to the next generation that comes along,” he once said. And thus was born The Vijay Amritraj Foundation in 2006. The mission statement of the foundation reads – “The foundation brings hope, help and healing to the defenseless and innocent victims of disease, tragedy and circumstance in India.”

This foundation is quite different from the others mentioned above as it does not have an academy or a campus of its own. It instead generates funds that are then donated to various charitable organizations in India to aid in their activities. The organizations supported include Prajwala (an organization that rescues and rehabilitates children sold into prostitution), Parikrama Humanity Foundation (an organization that provides health care and education to children in slums) and Mitra Jyothi (a charitable entity that provides education and imparts training in life skills to blind women), to name a few.