BELLEVUE, Washington — Sports and athletic activities have been scientifically proven to positively impact mental health. Exercise triggers the release of endorphins in the body, brain chemicals that relieve pain and stress. In addition, it reduces the body’s level of stress hormones, cortisol and adrenaline. There is a strong, complex relationship between poverty and mental health, each influencing the other significantly. Financial insecurity, poor living conditions and unemployment can increase the risk of chronic stress and depression, which in turn, may affect a person’s job performance and ability to find or maintain employment. Recognizing this connection, three professional tennis players have founded nonprofits that use the sport to fight poverty.
Rafael Nadal: Fundacion Rafa Nadal
The first of the professional tennis players fighting poverty is Rafael Nadal. Many people regard Nadal as the world’s top men’s tennis player, a status underscored by his 22 Grand Slam singles championships and a total of 209 weeks ranked number one. Beyond his tennis court achievements, Nadal has also succeeded with his nonprofit organization, Fundacion Rafa Nadal. Recognizing his fortune, Nadal wanted to give back to the community that supported him. He views tennis as a critical part of his nonprofit not only because it is his passion but also because it drives social transformation. His foundation supports underprivileged children in India and youth with intellectual disabilities in Spain through sports, educational activities and psychological support, ensuring they have equal access to opportunities, regardless of their status.
Nick Kyrgios: NK Foundation
Kyrgios, a professional Australian tennis player, has been very open about his past mental health struggles, including dealing with depression and using alcohol as a coping mechanism. He says he has made significant progress since that low point. While tennis is a major part of his life, he finds the most fulfillment working on the Nick Kyrgios (NK Foundation). Kyrgios aims to create a facility in Melbourne where impoverished kids can play sports, access food and sleep if needed. He is currently scouting potential locations for the center and seeking partnerships with local businesses. Kyrgios devotes his energy to this project when not playing tennis, striving to use his sport to combat poverty in Australia.
Elina Svitolina: Svitolina Foundation
Svitolina is the most successful tennis player in Ukraine’s history, for both men and women. She reached a career-high ranking of number three in the world and won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, Ukraine’s first in tennis. When Russia attacked Ukraine, Svitolina took action to support young athletes who suddenly found themselves homeless. Her program, “Tennis Without Borders,” ran for six months and supported 90 athletes and their families. These Ukrainians, living abroad, did not have to worry about the costs of housing, food and tennis training. Svitolina used sports to fight poverty and ensure that athletes from her country were not disadvantaged by circumstances beyond their control.
Looking Ahead
Rafael Nadal, Nick Kyrgios and Elina Svitolina have leveraged their tennis careers to combat poverty and support mental health. Through Fundacion Rafa Nadal, NK Foundation and Svitolina Foundation, these professional tennis players provide essential resources and opportunities to underprivileged communities and displaced athletes. Their efforts highlight the powerful role sports can potentially play in addressing socio-economic challenges and improving overall well-being.
– Sophia Manole
Sophia is based in Bellevue, WA, USA and focuses on Celebs for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr
BELLEVUE, Washington — Sports and athletic activities have been scientifically proven to positively impact mental health. Exercise triggers the release of endorphins in the body, brain chemicals that relieve pain and stress. In addition, it reduces the body’s level of stress hormones, cortisol and adrenaline. There is a strong, complex relationship between poverty and mental health, each influencing the other significantly. Financial insecurity, poor living conditions and unemployment can increase the risk of chronic stress and depression, which in turn, may affect a person’s job performance and ability to find or maintain employment. Recognizing this connection, three professional tennis players have founded nonprofits that use the sport to fight poverty.
Rafael Nadal: Fundacion Rafa Nadal
The first of the professional tennis players fighting poverty is Rafael Nadal. Many people regard Nadal as the world’s top men’s tennis player, a status underscored by his 22 Grand Slam singles championships and a total of 209 weeks ranked number one. Beyond his tennis court achievements, Nadal has also succeeded with his nonprofit organization, Fundacion Rafa Nadal. Recognizing his fortune, Nadal wanted to give back to the community that supported him. He views tennis as a critical part of his nonprofit not only because it is his passion but also because it drives social transformation. His foundation supports underprivileged children in India and youth with intellectual disabilities in Spain through sports, educational activities and psychological support, ensuring they have equal access to opportunities, regardless of their status.
Nick Kyrgios: NK Foundation
Kyrgios, a professional Australian tennis player, has been very open about his past mental health struggles, including dealing with depression and using alcohol as a coping mechanism. He says he has made significant progress since that low point. While tennis is a major part of his life, he finds the most fulfillment working on the Nick Kyrgios (NK Foundation). Kyrgios aims to create a facility in Melbourne where impoverished kids can play sports, access food and sleep if needed. He is currently scouting potential locations for the center and seeking partnerships with local businesses. Kyrgios devotes his energy to this project when not playing tennis, striving to use his sport to combat poverty in Australia.
Elina Svitolina: Svitolina Foundation
Svitolina is the most successful tennis player in Ukraine’s history, for both men and women. She reached a career-high ranking of number three in the world and won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, Ukraine’s first in tennis. When Russia attacked Ukraine, Svitolina took action to support young athletes who suddenly found themselves homeless. Her program, “Tennis Without Borders,” ran for six months and supported 90 athletes and their families. These Ukrainians, living abroad, did not have to worry about the costs of housing, food and tennis training. Svitolina used sports to fight poverty and ensure that athletes from her country were not disadvantaged by circumstances beyond their control.
Looking Ahead
Rafael Nadal, Nick Kyrgios and Elina Svitolina have leveraged their tennis careers to combat poverty and support mental health. Through Fundacion Rafa Nadal, NK Foundation and Svitolina Foundation, these professional tennis players provide essential resources and opportunities to underprivileged communities and displaced athletes. Their efforts highlight the powerful role sports can potentially play in addressing socio-economic challenges and improving overall well-being.
– Sophia Manole
Sophia is based in Bellevue, WA, USA and focuses on Celebs for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr
