Miami Open Unites: Helping Those in Need
Updated: Apr 14, 2020
Miami Open Unites deployed around the city of Miami for its inaugural day of service. Players from the ATP and WTA gave back to the community in an amazing way. Nick Kyrigos, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Marin Cilic, Nicolas Jarry, Diego Schwartzman, Petra Knitova and Kei Nishikori shared their stories of overcoming adversity with youth from Hollywood Park Elementary.
Grigor Dimitrov, David Ferrer, Borna Coric, Garbiñe Muguruza and Anett Kontaveit went to Miami Rescue Mission to feed the homeless, while Bob and Mike Bryan, along with Aryana Sabalenka brightened the day of children at Baptist Children’s Hospital by delivering toys and spending time with the kids. Dominic Thiem, Miomir Kecmanovic, Guido Pella, Elise Mertens, Julia Goerges and Kiki Bertens painted a home of an elderly Miami Gardens’ resident alongside volunteers with Rebuilding Together.
The rain could not stop the work at Health in the Hood. Tournament director James Blake presented the organization with a check on behalf of the ATP and WTA; and the day ended with a rescue dog finding a new home. 2018 Miami Open finalist Alexander Zverev adopted “Pop,” after cuddling the pup at the Humane Society of Greater Miami.Visiting the shelter with Zverev was defending Miami Open champion John Isner, Danielle Collins, Jelena Ostapenko, Ashleigh Barty and Belinda Bencic.
In addition, ATP Charities and WTA Charities each donated $1500 to Health in the Hood.
“Miami and the South Florida community have supported us for 35 years, and we believe giving back is an important responsibility,” said James Blake, Miami Open Tournament Director. “I am proud to represent a tournament that continually strives to make a positive impact, and we look forward to making a positive impact on thousands of people through Miami Open Unites.”
Many of the world’s best players will be participating including Ashleigh Barty, Belinda Bencic, Kiki Bertens, Bob Bryan, Mike Bryan, Marin Cilic, Danielle Collins, Borna Coric, GrigorDimitrov, David Ferrer, Julie Goerges, John Isner, Nicolas Jarry, Miomir Kecmanovic, AnettKontaveit, Petra Kvitova, Nick Kyrgios, Elise Mertens, Garbiñe Muguruza, Kei Nishikori,Jelena Ostapenko, Guido Pella, Aryna Sabalenka, Diego Schwartzman, Dominic Thiem,Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Alexander Zverev.
Miami Open Unites partnered with the following organizations in 2019:
- UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization. ATP and WTA players and members of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School’s boys and girls tennis teams took part in UNICEF’s Kid Power program at Hard Rock Stadium. The event included a discussions between the children and players regarding overcoming adversity and becoming a positive force in the community. For more information on UNICEF, go to www.unicefusa.org/.
- Health in the Hood is creating healthy communities by building vegetable gardens and teaching wellness in some of Miami’s neediest neighborhoods. Due to inclement weather tournament players were not able to visit Health in Hood’s oldest community garden in Liberty City. But due to the generosity of the ATP and WTA the tournament was able to present the organization with a check for $3000. For more information on Health in the Hood, go to www.healthinthehood.org/.
- Rebuilding Together offers assistance to Miami-Dade County’s senior citizens, veterans, and the disabled by repairing and rebuilding their housing. Miami Open Unites provided volunteers to help rehabilitate the home of Miss Barbara Mae in Miami Gardens. Players provided help with replacing flooring and painting. For more information on Rebuild Together, go to https://rebuildingtogether.org/.
- Miami Rescue Mission provides food, shelter, and programs to the homeless of South Florida. Players served lunch to those living at the shelter. For more information on the Miami Rescue Mission, go to www.miamirescuemission.com/.
- Humane Society of Greater Miami cares for the lost and forgotten animals of South Florida. Miami Open Unites and tour players visited the Humane Society spent time with the animals. ATP World No. 3 Alexander Zverev left the animal shelter with a new puppy. For more information the Humane Society of Greater Miami, go tohttp://www.humanesocietymiami.org/.
- Baptist Children’s Hospital and Miami Cancer Institute is South Florida’s premier children’s hospital. Players visited with patients and staff, handed out toys, posed for pictures and signed autographs. For more information, go tohttps://baptisthealth.net/.