Latin American Tennis Players Put On a Different Type of Hat

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Latin American Tennis Players Put On a Different Type of Hat
Social Responsibility is a growing trend among sports stars, whodevote part of their earnings and time to helping those in need

MIAMI, July 29 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Prominent LatinAmerican tennis players such as Argentina's David Nalbandian andCarlos Berlocq, Chile's Fernando Gonzalez, Brazil's Gustavo "Guga"Kuerten and Ecuador's Nicolas Lapentti, have taken on the role ofpart-time philanthropists by investing part of their earnings andtime in charity work for their native countries. In addition tothese Latin American players, the Spaniard Rafael Nadal alsopartakes in these efforts.

Nalbandian, who is currently ranked number seven in the world bythe Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), and has earned $8.8million in the course of his career, recently launched the DavidNalbandian Foundation (http://www.fundacionnalbandian.org.ar/en/),a non-profit organization which strives for the social integrationof people with disabilities through programs and projects gearedtowards health and sports.

"I have long supported causes in my native town, Unquillo, andalways wanted to start a foundation of my own. Today I can say it'sa dream come true. I want to help special people, that most needit," stated the Argentine during the launch of his foundation.

Meanwhile, Chile's Gonzalez, who is ranked number 14 in the worldand has earned $6.6 million throughout his career, supported forthe second consecutive "Copa de Tenis por los Ninos del Hogar deCristo," (Tennis Cup for the Children of the Home of Christ) byplaying an exhibition match against Argentina's Agustin Callerilast December in the center court of the National Stadium.

Proceeds from ticket sales were earmarked for the construction of aResidential Home in Tocopilla, capital of the Chilean province ofthe same name, for children at social risk and those affected bythe most recent earthquake. Gonzalez also makes a donation to thefoundation each time he wins a tennis match.

"I feel very fortunate to be able to help others by doing what Ilike best. It's a blessing to be able to entertain people and, atthe same time, benefit the children of my country," commentedGonzalez regarding the Cup.

On his part, Brazil's Kuerten, formerly ranked No. 1 in the worldand a three-time winner of the French Open who has earned $14.8million during his career, has the Gustavo Kuerten Institute (IGK,http://www.igk.org.br) , which develops educational andsports-related projects for people with disabilities.

"The task we have undertaken at IGK seeks to offer realopportunities for the development and social integration to thosein need. At the same time, we want to strengthen a culture ofsolidarity among the members of our society," said Kuerten abouthis institute.

Nicolas Lapentti, ranked 74th in the world and with a total of $5.8million earned to date, decided to create the Nicolas LapenttiFoundation (F.N.L.), with the goal of helping children with cancerand athletes with the potential to compete internationally.

Among the highlights of the events held by the F.N.L. is theGuayaquil Fashion Concert; the funds raised at this event go to adifferent foundation each year. Another event is the F.N.L.circuit, which allows children of different provinces to competefor scholarships to train abroad, and win a trip with Nicolas toone of his tournaments.

Likewise, Berlocq, who currently holds the 90th ranking in theworld and has earned $712,000 in his career, holds tennis clinicsand donates the money to the Chascomus Athletic Club, where hestarted playing, and to municipal schools in the area.

"I always do some fundraising, because as little as it may seem,for the municipal schools every little bit helps. I would like togive more, but for that you have to win, to be in the top 40 or 50in the world. And maybe it can be done," said Berlocq, who was bornin the municipality of Chascomus, in the province of Buenos Aires.

On the other hand, Spain's Rafael Nadal, ranked number two in theworld by the ATP, has earned more than $17 million in his careerand has started the Rafa Nadal Foundation. The purpose of thisfoundation is to provide social assistance and cooperation for thedevelopment and promotion of sports as an integration tool for themembers of society who are most in need, with special attention tochildren.

"I feel privileged and fortunate to work in what I like to do. Thissituation has given me unique experiences, traveling throughout theworld and seeing many people in need of help. I think this is thefirst step towards putting my desire to help into practice," saidNadal during the inauguration of his foundation.

Nalbandian, Gonzalez, Kuerten, Lapentti, Berlocq, Nadal not onlyare tennis stars who have remember those in need, but have becomepillars of their communities, examples of what can be calledPersonal Social Responsibility -- role models to be followed.

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