With the BNP Paribas Open taking place in Palm Desert shortly after wildfires ravaged Los Angeles, the WTA and WTA Foundation swiftly mobilized to assist affected tennis communities. WTA Legends Alexandra Stevenson and Gigi Fernandez are at the forefront of this support.
When Palisades Charter High School was destroyed by fire, Alexandra Stevenson, who coaches six players from the school, immediately recognized the severe impact on the boys` and girls` varsity tennis teams. Many players were left without access to home courts, and some even lost their homes.
In collaboration with Palisades coach Bud Kling and WTA Foundation Executive Director Ann Austin, Stevenson organized a visit for both teams to the BNP Paribas Open on March 7th. Madison Keys, ranked No. 5 in the world, made a special appearance to meet the students for photos and autographs. Representing the WTA Foundation, Maria Sakkari and Ann Austin presented a $10,000 donation to provide support to the displaced students.
“It was crucial for these young athletes to feel encouragement after enduring nearly two months of disrupted lives,” Stevenson commented. “Witnessing top-tier players compete at the BNP Paribas Open was truly inspiring and revitalizing for them.”
Separately, Gigi Fernandez partnered with the WTA Foundation to raise $50,000 – which included a $10,000 contribution from USTA Southern California – to aid in the reconstruction of the Palisades Tennis Center and support the fire-stricken community of Altadena.
“Learning about the devastation in the Los Angeles area compelled me to take action,” Fernandez stated. “Just recently, my own home was flooded and my car was lost in back-to-back hurricanes. Ironically, I had just begun planning a nonprofit before that, so I proceeded to create one to assist disaster victims.”
While in the process of obtaining 501(c)(3) status for her newly formed nonprofit, `Tennis for Hope,` Fernandez collaborated with the WTA Foundation as a fiscal sponsor to commence fundraising efforts.
During a ceremony held in the WTA suite at Indian Wells, Fernandez, accompanied by Hall of Famer Pam Shriver, presented Mike Tomas, Director of the Palisades Tennis Center, with a $25,000 check to support the rebuilding. She also announced an additional $25,000 commitment to support the Altadena tennis community.
“The WTA Foundation is dedicated to making a positive impact on lives,” Austin explained. “We acted immediately to offer both financial and emotional support to those whose lives have been irrevocably altered by these fires.”
