Showing posts with label Williams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Williams. Show all posts

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Tennis & Charity

Tennis has become such a big and powerful sport. Some see it as a way to make money and escape the poverty of their country, as it is increasingly high paying. Some see it as a road to a free college degree. Some see it as a way to become famous as it is highly publicized and offers lucrative campaigns for the select few. Some see it as a way to stay healthy and get fit. Some see it as a stimulus to be the best, or win an Olympic medal, or fall into the record books. All see it for the great sport with many opportunities that it is. Taking all of these factors in, tennis is one of the most powerful and influential sports in the world. Tennis produces role models, who produce champions, who have the opportunity to give back by becoming role models themselves, and perhaps inspiring new generations of champions. It is a worldwide sport, most players become ambassadors for their countries, like Sharapova and Federer. Their high earnings give them a chance to donate money and build schools and inspire because they stand for something positive and great. They become lucky in many ways.

Ana Ivanovic used to receive Unicef greeting cards in the mail when she was a kid, now she is the one sending them. That is such a great turn around of events and this shows not only the potential of the sport, but justifies the rewards of these athletes turned media super stars.


Serena Williams also just opened a school in Kenya in her off season. She was there for the opening, and got to reveal the metal plaque on its walls with her name on it, cut the bow to the entrance and pose for pictures with her biggest fans. The kids in Kenya that want to grow up and become just like her no doubt.

Charity is not a pity party and it is not a tax write off. It is the desire to make things better, because things not always are. Where a chain is weak, it rips, and the strongest links will always hold the most power to fix the weaker links of this universal chain. That is the power of athletes and celebrities, and it warms the heart to see them following through on these missions.If you have any questions regarding the charity, or how to donate tennis racquets, visit TennisRacquetsforKids.org



Friday, November 7, 2008

Sacrifice for bigger better things in life

"RSVP: I am sorry I can't make your birthday party, I have a tennis tournament"; "I will be celebrating my birthday on the road, probably at Applebee with my coach"; or the infamous Facebook group "This weekend, did you...No, I had a tournament".

When kids dedicate themselves to a sport, it often comes with many social sacrifices. Whether it leads them to homeschooling or traveling for weekends at a time - in all case scenarios they give some other part of their average life up such as going to late movies, attending birthday parties or trick or treating on the weekend of Halloween. At the time each of these events seems like a once in a lifetime opportunity and the parents and the sport take the role of bad guy and "punisher" when kids are told they can't be like their school friends. Matter of fact is that these are sacrifices that are not pin pointed at one kid here or there, they are shared by all kids pursuing tennis or anything else with high goals in mind. In most cases missing holidays is unavoidable due to the fact that most tournaments are hosted during and around holidays because those days allow kids to travel without missing school. After all, it builds character. Reasonable sacrifice is a necessary ingredient to being really good at what you do, another ingredient is having demanding parents.

I know from personal experience and talking to many players who went from junior to pro in the past 10 years, that of course you regret missing your ordinary could be life, but you find your social life on that tennis circuit and if you make it big one day, the sky is the limit for the attention you receive, parties you attend and cakes you are baked. Still doesn't mean you'll be at home, but at that point you're one experience will top the other.

Just yesterday Ana Ivanovic turned 21, during the Sony Ericsson in Doha and the sponsors threw her a birthday party. Still on the road and I am sure with limitations due to her tennis schedule but the attention and press it garnered must have been a pleasant surprise. Too bad she got sick and pulled out of the tournament. Check out her cool Babolat looking cake!


Check out Halloween Serena Williams style from her blog: