Tennis’ governing bodies and Grand Slam organisers donate $700,000 to support Ukraine
All of tennis’ major governing bodies and the four Grand Slam organisers have all donated $100,000 each to aid the Global Giving’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund and the Ukraine Tennis Federation.
Ever since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, multiple sportspeople have contributed in their own ways.
Amidst strong calls to take strong action and enforce strict punishments, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced that Russian and Belarusian players will be required to compete under a ‘neutral flag’ and have rescinded ATP and WTA events held in Russia.
Now all of tennis’ governing bodies, the ITF, ATP, WTA and all the organisers of all four Grand Slams, have united to donate a sizeable sum of $700,000 (£532,000) to aid humanitarian relief and support the Ukraine Tennis Federation.
This has been done under the newly-created initiative named ‘Tennis Plays for Peace,’ which aims to provide support to humanitarian relief efforts in the wake of the ongoing war.
Moreover, Women’s World number 18 Elina Svitolina will donate her prize money directly to the Ukrainian war effort, whilst three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray will donate his to UNICEF respectively.
Similarly, Sergiy Stakhovsky took the brave decision to join Ukraine’s military reserves as he takes up arms to defend his home nation alongside boxing World champions Vitaly and Wladimir Klitchko and Oleksandr Usyk.
A press release published by the WTA read “following unified condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in a statement issued by the seven organizations, further efforts to support those affected by this crisis will take place as part of the newly created ‘Tennis Plays for Peace’ campaign over the coming weeks.
“Today each of the seven entities has donated $100,000 to the humanitarian relief efforts, with donations supporting Global Giving’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund, which will provide immediate help on the ground across the region, as well as the Ukraine Tennis Federation.
“The seven bodies will also signal support via their social and digital platforms by prominently featuring the Ukraine ribbon icon, with everyone in the tennis ecosystem encouraged to use the hashtag #TennisPlaysforPeace.
“In addition, physical ribbons will be distributed for ATP and WTA players to wear at the upcoming Indian Wells Masters.
“Tournaments and tennis federations across the world, along with the entire playing spectrum will be sent a digital toolkit to further drive awareness and support the relief efforts.
“All seven organizations thank players, tournaments, staff and fans for their incredible efforts already, and further plans for ‘Tennis Plays for Peace’ will be communicated in the coming weeks.”
Svitolina and Stakhovsky have also now produced a short video with a message of hope for their countrymen and women.
A donation link can also be found via the website: http://tennisplaysforpeace.com.
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