In a gesture that deeply touched the hearts of fans and industry insiders, Jannik Sinner and Jasmine Paolini announced the creation of an unprecedented project in the world of Italian sport: the foundation of the National Tennis Fund for Orphaned and Difficult Children , with the aim of offering free sports training, educational support and concrete hope to those who grew up without parents or in disadvantaged economic conditions.
The announcement was made during a special press conference in Milan, without any glitz or excessive celebration, but with a great deal of emotion and sincerity. Paolini spoke first, her voice breaking with emotion:
“When I was a child, someone believed in me before I did. Now it’s our duty to believe in the dreams of others, especially the ones no one sees.”
The fund, entirely financed by the two tennis players for the first three years, includes the creation of free training centers in various regions of Italy , the purchase of sports equipment, the recruitment of volunteer coaches, and, most importantly, a personalized educational program for each selected child. The idea is not only to train future champions, but to offer a comprehensive growth framework , where sport becomes a tool for personal redemption.
Jannik Sinner, visibly involved, added:
“A trophy doesn’t change the world. But if a racket can make a child who’s lost everything smile, then yes, it can change a destiny.”
The foundation will launch with a first pilot center in Florence , a city chosen not by chance: it’s where Jasmine took her first steps in competitive tennis, often thanks to the generosity of strangers. Within two years, at least five more centers are expected to open, from northern to southern Italy.
The news was greeted with enthusiasm by numerous public figures, including coaches, sports journalists, and even some former tennis players who expressed their willingness to collaborate. The Minister of Sport called the initiative “an extraordinary example of sportsmanship and social responsibility.”
On social media, the hashtag #UnaRacchettaPerUnSogno went viral in just a few hours. Hundreds of users shared messages of thanks and personal stories, recounting how sport has saved them from difficult situations.
With this gesture, Sinner and Paolini demonstrate that true champions aren’t defined solely by their results , but also by what they do away from the spotlight. And while their names continue to shine in international tournaments, their greatest impact may come precisely from these small, big dreams, quietly nurtured on the outskirts of the city.
