About the association

The association

The association is made up of a group of friends from a wide range of professional backgrounds, united by a passion for tennis and the desire to devote their free time to helping those less fortunate. Over the years, numerous initiatives and social events have been organised to promote various projects in Africa, managed both by the Community of Sant’Egidio and directly by the association. The Tennis for Africa team is made up entirely of volunteers.

Activities

Since its establishment, the association has organised numerous sporting events featuring internationally renowned tennis players. Charity exhibitions were held between 1990 and 1997 in Milan, Brescia, Naples and Pavia, with the participation of Jordi Arrese, Andrei Chesnokov, Renzo Furlan, Emilio Sanchez, Gianluca Pozzi, Jonas Svensson, Andrei Medvedev, Claudio Mezzadri, Diego Nargiso, Laura Golarsa, Nduka Odizor, Stefano Pescosolido, Claudio Pistolesi and Mats Wilander.

Between 1998 and 2003, the association organised “Tennis Day for Africa” at the Due Ponti Sporting Club, featuring practice sessions by players competing in the Italian Open. Since 2005, fundraising initiatives have been organised in Rome, mainly alongside the Masters 1000 tournament.

Fundraising takes place throughout the year through social media and online auctions of memorabilia donated by some of the world’s leading players, recently including Jannik Sinner, Matteo Berrettini, Lorenzo Musetti and Lorenzo Sonego.

Tennis for Africa Ambassadors

Each year Tennis for Africa involves a highly ranked professional player to represent the association around the world. Ambassadors have included Olivier Rochus, Andrea Seppi, Kevin Anderson and Lorenzo Sonego.

Areas of focus

Tennis for Africa carries out projects promoting sport for less fortunate young people in Cameroon, Kenya, Sierra Leone and Tanzania.

Over the years, in various ways, it has also supported projects run by the Community of Sant’Egidio in Africa, mainly in Mozambique.