My journey in building bridges leveraging tennis.

At 13, I set out to prove that no problem is too big for a passionate community to tackle together. Inspired by my love for tennis and my desire to make a global impact, I founded Life Tennis, a platform devoted to addressing pressing challenges through the sport I love.

Whether it's combating hunger, resolving conflicts, or supporting athletes with unique needs, Life Tennis has grown into a movement that unites players of all ages to create meaningful change.

The Vision Behind Life Tennis

At its core, Life Tennis is built on a mission as ambitious as it is inspiring: uniting the tennis community to tackle massive global challenges. Tennis has always been more than just a game for me—it's a way to connect people and build something bigger than ourselves.

Life Tennis focuses on three critical areas:

• World Hunger: Supporting communities facing food insecurity locally and globally.

• Conflict Resolution: Bringing people together in regions affected by conflict and helping families recover.

• Athletes with Special Needs: Creating opportunities for athletes to thrive in inclusive environments.

This vision came to life in the summer of 2021. My friends and I, a group of middle school tennis players, organized a charity tournament to address hunger. The event raised over $5,000 for the North Texas Food Bank and the SANI Welfare Foundation in India. Seeing our efforts featured in USTA Magazine was proof to me that even young players can make a significant difference when united by purpose.

Building Bridges Through Life Tennis

Rather than feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of global issues, I decided to turn my passion for tennis into a platform for change. Life Tennis became a bridge between competitive play and compassionate action.

Tennis has taught me so much—discipline, strategy, and the importance of community. I thought, "Why not use what I’ve learned on the court to address something bigger than myself?"

What began as a simple idea—using tennis events to raise funds and awareness—evolved into a movement. Through tournaments and partnerships, Life Tennis has brought together the tennis community to support organizations fighting hunger and other pressing challenges.

Building Momentum: Life Tennis’s Key Milestones

Since its inception, Life Tennis has steadily expanded its scope and impact, with key milestones marking our journey:

• Summer 2022: Supporting Families in Conflict

In response to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, my team and I raised over $6,000 for UNICEF. Partnering with former ATP player and Baylor coach Izak Van Der Merwe, we showed how the tennis community can stand for peace and provide relief during a global crisis. This effort earned me a Platinum Level Executive Contributor award from UNICEF.

• Summer 2023: Expanding the Mission

  We scaled our efforts to support more nonprofits, including the Special Olympics of Pakistan, Crisis Group, and Operation Hope. Raising another $6,000, we connected USTA student-athletes with high school players, fostering mentorship and creating a ripple effect of learning and support.

  
  

• Summer 2024: Strengthening Local Partnerships

  Partnering with a local tennis academy, we raised over $10,000 to benefit the Special Olympics of Texas and the SANI Welfare Foundation. Collaboration has always been key for me. Partnerships amplify our impact and help us create a stronger platform for change.

Lessons from the Journey

Leading Life Tennis has been as challenging and rewarding as competing in a high-stakes match. From coordinating events to rallying support, the journey has tested my resilience and adaptability.

It’s like tennis—you don’t win every point, but you keep playing, adjusting, and finding ways to improve.

With the support of my family and friends, I’ve been able to host events that reinforce my belief in collective effort. I couldn’t have done it alone. The tennis community has been incredible, proving that when people come together for a cause, they can achieve something amazing.

A Path Forward

Looking ahead, I aim to scale Life Tennis and refine its mission. From leveraging technology to organizing bigger events, I’m determined to make an even greater impact.

This is about more than tennis or even hunger. It’s about building a community where people look out for one another and use their talents to leave the world better than they found it.

I dream of making Life Tennis a global movement that connects players of all ages for meaningful causes.

Serving for the Future

Life Tennis isn’t just about solving problems—it’s about inspiring a new generation to think beyond the court. I want to continue expanding the platform, fostering partnerships, and hosting events that empower players to create change.

My message to everyone is simple: you don’t have to wait to make a difference. Whatever your passion is, use it to create change. It could be sports, art, anything—as long as it comes from the heart.

With your support, I’m confident that Life Tennis can continue uniting communities and tackling global challenges, one serve at a time.