by Beth Rifkin
If you want to be like the top tennis pro’s, there’s a must-do list to follow:
1. Grunt when you serve
2. Sport a stylin’ bandana
3. Eat pasta
4. Protect the places we play by improving the air we breathe
Taking their talent beyond the court, many tennis pro’s and tennis organizations harness their image to promote eco-friendly initiatives which help to improve the environment. (Maybe it’s all that time they spend outside!)
Last winter Lleyton Hewitt teamed up with Planet Ark and encouraged his fellow Australians to recycle their holiday cards. The recycling program, "Cards 4 Planet Ark", is in its 14th year and has turned more than 575 million greeting cards into new packaging and recycled paper products - saving energy, water and trees in the process.
In March 2008, the Tennis Channel Open went out of their way to provide an ecologically responsible tournament with plenty of tips and suggestions on living a “green” life.
Brazil Open
This past February the Brazil Open, along with the help of Gustavo Kuerten (pictured above), planted 500 new trees during the tournament. TV actress Karina Bacchi, Marcelo Melo, Brazilian tennis star Maria Esther Bueno and ATP executive, Linda Clark were also on hand to help with the effort and promote the importance of global warming issues.
There are plans for another 1500 trees to be planted through SOS Mata Atlantica in the near future. Text messaging through cellular phones was also used as an alternative to brochures in distributing tournament information such as daily programs and results.
Originally reported by ATPTennis.com, the Brasil Open took place in Costa do Sauipe, February 11-17, 2008. The 32-player clay court tournament offered prize money reaching $485,000. Nicolas Almagro defeated top-seed Carlos Moya, 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-5, to win his third ATP title.
GreenSlam
What happens when you pair tennis legend Billie Jean King with a good cause like global warming? GreenSlam! (…as if you expected anything different!)
By harnessing the power of professional sports and creating socially responsible change, GreenSlam intends to make a very positive impact on the environment.
Their programs include forming an independent counsel of “greening experts” to establish a set of GreenSlam standards to share with the athletic community, raising funds and awareness for ecologically supportive athletic events and programs, supporting “green collar” work/study opportunities and helping to clean up roadways around major U.S. sporting venues...check-out Whitestone Expressway near the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, NY – clean as a whistle!
Founded by tennis legend Billie Jean King, Ilana Kloss (CEO and Commissioner of World Team Tennis), and Pam Derderian and Nancy Becker (co-founders and principal partners of “15 Minutes” Inc., a full service event marketing and advertising agency), GreenSlam is putting a “Green Dream Team” together. Comprised of various global companies, the Dream Team will “slam” environmental and recycling issues with eco-friendly sporting goods equipment, apparel, shoes and accessories. To avoid toxins, nothing will be released to the public (or in the air) without the GreenSlam seal of approval.
"I'm challenging myself, the industry of sports, professional athletes and fans, to take positive action to help counter the negative effects of climate change."
- Billie Jean King
Why should you visit GreenSlam.net for more information? One World, One Sport!
Happy Earth Day – recycle a tennis ball!
April 22, 2008
