Last Saturday, we hosted something truly special: the second edition of the Thirty Love Fundraiser Day Tournament.
And honestly? I’m still smiling.
Of course, tennis was at the center of it all, but what made the day unforgettable was everything that surrounded it: the people, the laughter, the generosity, and the impact we created together.
A couple of highlights
The lottery: With amazing prizes like tennis rackets, Ajax tickets, and the grand prize (a clinic with former world #40 Thiemo de Bakker), we raised over €1000.
Thiemo on court: Speaking of Thiemo, he didn’t just show up for the clinic alone. He also agreed to play a couple of tiebreaks against the highest bidders. And yes, I got to play one too. Except for one nice volley, I have to admit I mostly got crushed… but what an experience!
The auction: Led by Ronald Koster, a board member of our club VVGA, the auction was a wonderful success. The energy was high, the bids kept coming, and the atmosphere was just great.
Nearly 60 matches: Players of all ages and levels battled it out across doubles and mixed doubles. Instead of trophies, winners took home a polaroid picture: a small but meaningful memory to hold onto.
Merch & music: Our socks and T-shirts found many new homes, and the day closed with DJs, dancing, and a terrace full of happy faces.
More than tennis
What this day really showed me is that tennis is about so much more than hitting a bunch of fluffy balls. It’s about community. It’s about joy. It’s about creating opportunities for young people, through sports like tennis, that can change their lives.
Together, we raised over €6,000 for the foundation. With these funds, we will continue our work to give young players around the world a chance to grow, both on and off the court.
Thank you
A massive thank you to everyone who made this possible: our partners Tennis for All Uganda and Estrela da Favela, our incredible volunteers, the Thirty Love Day Tournament Crew, and of course, Thiemo de Bakker for being such a special part of the day.
To me, this was just the beginning.
See you next year. 💙🧡💚
P.S. Want to see whether I managed to beat Thiemo in the tiebreak? Watch the video here.