Learn how the global tennis community and fans came together to raise millions of dollars in support of humanitarian relief efforts for the war in Ukraine.
In 2022, Team USA was set to play Ukraine for the second time in tennis history in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. Then, Russia launched its latest invasion of Ukraine, and everything changed. As millions of people fled Ukraine in Europe’s fastest-growing refugee crisis since World War II, people around the world rushed to provide relief.
Months later, Team USA took on Ukraine in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers that served as a symbol of unity and support.
The tennis governing bodies took action to support the Ukrainian people. Together the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), the four Grand Slams (Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open), and the International Tennis Federation (ITF) donated and rallied to take action for humanitarian needs.
The Tennis Plays for Peace initiative was launched by the tennis governing bodies, with GlobalGiving’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund serving as a central place for fans, athletes, and global tennis groups to give.
The four Grand Slams as well as WTA, ATP, and ITF provided extra support by hosting special charity exhibition matches featuring Ukrainian and global tennis players and donating proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorship money. They’ve also invited fans to give by including QR codes shared on the in-stadium video signage and displaying donation calls to action in television broadcasts.
To date, Tennis Plays for Peace has raised nearly $3 million for responding nonprofit organizations providing relief in Ukraine and surrounding countries.
“As a global sport, we felt it was incredibly important to provide support to the humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine,” said Ann Austin, Vice President of WTA Community Development and WTA Charities. “We are grateful for the generosity of the global tennis community, and the power of sport.”
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