3 Tennis Legends and Their Charitable Endeavours

Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.

This rings true for these tennis legends: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and of course, Novak Djokovic. All of them exemplify how a true legend should continue to positively affect the people especially their home country.

They earn millions of dollars and put them to good use through different charitable undertakings.

The three tennis legends, contributed significantly to various causes.

1) Roger Federer

Federer has his own foundation named after him. The Roger Federer Foundation provides for children’s education, particularly those in Switzerland and across Africa. The foundation wants every child to be educated regardless of their social status or financial background.

Federer started his foundation back in 2003 when he was just 22 years old. As of 2017, the foundation has already spent €26 million ($28.8 million) in financial aid. 

Throughout the years, Federer has also formed partnerships to raise funds for the activities of his foundation. He already worked with Nadal, John Isner, and even Bill Gates.

2) Rafael Nadal

Same with Federer, Nadal also has his own foundation called Rafa Nadal Foundation (Fundación Rafa Nadal). The foundation also targets children, assisting and helping them achieve their dreams regardless of their financial capacities. It also aims to free them from social stigma.

Rafa Nadal Foundation has already established 21 centres across Spain and India. It has more than 900 direct beneficiaries and over 5,000 children taken care of. 

3) Novak Djokovic

Like Federer and Nadal, the world’s current No. 1 also has his own foundation known as Novak Djokovic Foundation (NDF). His foundation, which he co-founded with his wife Jelena, aims to uphold equality for children in Serbia.

His foundation has already built 43 schools to date and supported almost 20,800 children and a thousand families. 

Focusing on Novak

Novak has earned millions of dollars from playing tennis; he earned more money compared with other players. He is currently one of the highest-paid male tennis players with more than $134 million prize earnings. In 2019 alone, Novak made $9.1 million in prize earnings.

Further along, Novak earns more through endorsements of well-known brands. His endorsement earnings in 2019 are estimated at $40 million.

He may live the most luxurious lifestyle with homes in Monte Carlo as well as Miami and New York, travelling in style, and high-end cars, but he is very active in charitable works.

It was clear for Novak and Jelena that they wanted to improve early-childhood education in his native home, Serbia. They want to ensure that the children are getting high-quality preschool education. 

In an open letter, he mentioned, “I grew up in a country historically torn by different conflicts, but nevertheless, a country where children still dream big. Let us believe in their dreams.”

Nonetheless, they also provide for various causes more so when it involves his beloved people.

In 2014, Novak donated $750,000, his Italian Open prize earnings, to relief operations for the victims of flood in Serbia. In 2018 Season of Giving campaign, the foundation matched a $100,000 donation.

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