Tennis For Hope was born from Fernández’s own experience with storm damage. After her home flooded during Hurricane Helene, she founded the organization to unite the tennis community in supporting individuals and facilities affected by hurricanes and other natural disasters. The initiative raises money, organizes events and provides grants and direct assistance to tennis communities in need. Tennis For Hope has already donated more than $200,000 to disaster relief this year.
Photo courtesy: AJ Borromeo
“When I left the US Open, I said, I have to give back more. I don’t feel like I’m doing enough to give back to this competition that has given me so much,” Fernandez said. “I decided I was going to start a foundation and call it Tennis for Hope.”
Fernandez is one of the most talented doubles players in tennis history, with 17 Grand Slam doubles titles, two Olympic gold medals and an induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Since retiring from the professional tour, she has remained active in coaching, community involvement and philanthropic initiatives that use tennis as a vehicle for positive change.
The USTA Florida Foundation’s Hurricane Relief Fund has played a critical role in rebuilding courts and restoring programs across the state. In April 2025, the Foundation awarded $829,688 in grants to five facilities in the Tampa-Clearwater area, adding to the more than $1.3 million in hurricane relief funding distributed since 2019. Donations like the Tennis For Hope gift go through the Foundation’s grant and reimbursement process, ensuring support reaches eligible facilities quickly and responsibly.
Photo courtesy: AJ Borromeo
“I wanted to know if there are any other facilities in Florida that need help [with Hurricane relief] and sure enough, there are two parks here in Florida that still haven’t completed their renovations,” Fernandez added. ‘We have a plan [to help get these tennis facilities back up and running] and I am pleased to partner with the USTA Florida Foundation.”
Tennis For Hope’s efforts don’t stop at Hurricane Relief; the foundation is also developing a new 2026 initiative, Rally for Florida, which will include a series of fundraising and community events statewide, full details of which will be available soon. More information can be found at tennisforhope.org.
Together, Tennis For Hope and the USTA Florida Foundation will ensure tennis remains resilient, accessible and ready to serve players across Florida for years to come. For more information or to donate to the Hurricane Relief Fund, visit ustafloridafoundation.com/hurricane-relief
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