Monica Seles Hosts Kids Clinic In Budapest
Former World No.1 Monica Seles arrived in Budapest for the Hungarian Day of Tennis, which celebrates the past, present and future of Hungarian tennis, and hosted a kids' clinic alongside other Hungarian former players.
"It's been fantastic to be invited by the Hungarian Tennis Federation to be a part of the WTA tournament here in Budapest, and also to participate in the Hungarian Day of Tennis kid's clinic," Seles told wtatennis.com.
"I hope we can spread the love of tennis and inspire a lot of young kids to pick up a racquet, and hopefully one day see them on center court."
Budapest Champion Timea Babos & Monica Seles Auction Signed Racquets
Timea Babos captured the title in front of her home crowd in Budapest at the Hungarian Ladies Open, and she's also helping to give back to her community.
Babos and Seles have donated autographed tennis racquets - the same racquets they played with this past week - which will be put on auction for two weeks after the tournament. All proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House, the tournament's charity of choice.
"I think it's wonderful that the WTA tournament here in Budapest has a charitable side," Seles told wtatennis.com. "And it's great that the WTA has started a charitable foundation - I think it's so important to give back.
"We in sport are very lucky to do what we love and make a living out of it, and anytime that we're able to give back, it's a huge honor and happiness in my heart."
Johanna Larsson & Chan Yung-Jan Host Clinics In Dubai
Over in Dubai, Johanna Larsson and Chan Yung-Jan (Latisha) hosted a set of children's and youth clinics to inspire the next generation of tennis hopefuls.
Larsson enjoyed some mini-tennis with children at the JP Morgan Kids Clinic and also had a hit with two promising juniors from the region, while Latisha hosted the Lacoste Special Needs Clinic, which involved children and teenagers who don't let their disabilities hold them back when it comes to keeping active and enjoying tennis.
Latisha interacted with the children, posing for selfies, signing balls and answering their questions about what life is like as a professional tennis player.
"I always like coming to these clinics as it's so much fun to make the kids happy and help them enjoy tennis," she said. "It's great to put smiles on their faces, and Dubai Duty Free always puts on a great show for the children."
JP Morgan's Breakfast With A Champion
Also in Dubai, hosts Mickey Lawler, President of the WTA, and former British No.1 Annabel Croft were joined by former doubles World No.1 Sania Mirza at JP Morgan's Breakfast With A Champion.
In front of an audience made up of JP Morgan's female bankers and employees, the event celebrated powerful female role models.
WTA Charities is the WTA's global philanthropic organization dedicated to making a positive impact across the globe. Our mission is to be a social responsibility vehicle built on the WTA's values to empower and provide for a better future. We're dedicated to combining, strengthening and enhancing the community and charitable efforts of the WTA through its members (players, alumnae and tournaments), along with our partners.
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