Tennis Trophy 2023: the place where tennis becomes a team sport
The final rounds of the 7th Kinder Joy of moving Tennis Trophy International Master took place at the Rafa Nadal Academy, in Manacor, Spain, 30 October to 2 November, 2023.
The annual event marked the pinnacle of an exciting journey featuring more than 150 local tournaments held in 10 different countries: Italy, France, Poland, Luxembourg, Austria, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, and for the second consecutive year in Cape Verde.
More than a competition, the event provided a framework for promoting the positive values of sports and the importance of physical activity as an expression of Kinder Joy of moving, a Ferrero international social responsibility project. It also inspired young players and their families all over the world to participate in physical activity in an engaging and joyful way, based on the strong belief that a positive attitude towards movement will make today's children, better adults tomorrow.
With the aim of creating a joyful experience for all people involved, the Kinder Joy of moving Tennis Trophy was the place where tennis went beyond a simple match and became an opportunity to team up with others. Many different players for many different unforgettable memories as children, families, and numerous ambassadors, professional and former tennis players came together to live and spread the values of the project including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (France), Ivan Ljubicic (Croatia), Victor Hanescu (Romania), Gabor Borsos (Hungaria) and Francesco Felici (Italy).
All matches were held without referees, allowing the players to field decisions themselves and increasing their autonomy and decision-making skills in the process. Guided by an educational goal of fair play, the event encouraged participants to have fun, while promoting the essential values of relationship, friendship, and respect for one’s opponents and teammates. To further underscore the importance of fair play, a special Fair Play Trophy was awarded to participants who, more than anyone else, demonstrated the perfect example of Fair Play: the most joyful athlete from Cape Verde, the inspiring Hungarian coach and the role model parent from Team Croatia.
Furthermore, for the first time ever at the International Master final round, a Junior Wheelchair trophy was played.
To foster relationships among participants while creating a platform for inclusion and fun, the event featured multiple activities that involved all the participants. These included friendly matches between parents and children and doubles between children from different countries and genders. Participants also partook in cultural experiences, among which visits to the Rafa Nadal Museum and the Drach Caves.
As players took to the field with this positive spirit, they had the opportunity to meet, play and grow together while surrounded by their families.
More than a trophy, a joyful experience!
