Growing up in a country ravaged by war is the harsh reality faced by many young tennis players who aim to make it to the top. For Novak Djokovic, being forced to take shelter during Nato's bombing campaign in Belgrade as a child was a difficult time that shaped his upbringing and career path.
In contrast, Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova left her home at 12 due to war, but has since returned, playing in the Australian Open. Despite facing countless obstacles including constant electricity cuts and a mother working night shifts, she has persevered to become a top-100 player.
Another player who built his career from scratch is American Frances Tiafoe, whose parents fled Sierra Leone's civil war when he was a child. The son of a janitor, Tiafoe used to sleep on the floor at a tennis centre where his father worked, and now has access to top-quality tuition.
Slovakian former world number five Daniela Hantuchova believes that players who have come from humble beginnings develop resilience, discipline, and mentality that is not seen often in today's game. As for Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, businessman Yuriy Sapronov sponsored her move to Kharkiv to receive professional coaching at 12.
Players like Djokovic, Hantuchova, Tiafoe, Oliynykova, and Svitolina have set up charitable foundations to help those in need. The focus is on providing opportunities for kids affected by war, while popularising tennis as a sport and physical activity in Ukraine, according to Marta Kostyuk.
For Djokovic, being nurtured by Jelena Gencic at her tennis camp has been crucial to his development. Oliynykova's story is one of inspiration and sadness but she hopes every single player listens to it.
Damir Dzumhur, a fixture in the men's top 100 over the past decade, was born in Sarajevo during missiles raining down on Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1992. His mother collected him from the maternity ward just two days before the hospital was bombed. When he started playing tennis at age 5, most courts were unavailable due to bombing.
The lack of financial support from their federations and fewer role models can be a significant obstacle for players who come from countries without a strong tennis pedigree. However, with charitable foundations set up by Djokovic, Svitolina, Tiafoe, Oliynykova, and Hantuchova, many young tennis players are getting the opportunities they need to develop their skills.
These stories demonstrate that coming from humble beginnings does not always mean failure in a sport like tennis. The resilience, discipline, and mentality needed to overcome obstacles can often be developed by those who have faced adversity.
In contrast, Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova left her home at 12 due to war, but has since returned, playing in the Australian Open. Despite facing countless obstacles including constant electricity cuts and a mother working night shifts, she has persevered to become a top-100 player.
Another player who built his career from scratch is American Frances Tiafoe, whose parents fled Sierra Leone's civil war when he was a child. The son of a janitor, Tiafoe used to sleep on the floor at a tennis centre where his father worked, and now has access to top-quality tuition.
Slovakian former world number five Daniela Hantuchova believes that players who have come from humble beginnings develop resilience, discipline, and mentality that is not seen often in today's game. As for Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, businessman Yuriy Sapronov sponsored her move to Kharkiv to receive professional coaching at 12.
Players like Djokovic, Hantuchova, Tiafoe, Oliynykova, and Svitolina have set up charitable foundations to help those in need. The focus is on providing opportunities for kids affected by war, while popularising tennis as a sport and physical activity in Ukraine, according to Marta Kostyuk.
For Djokovic, being nurtured by Jelena Gencic at her tennis camp has been crucial to his development. Oliynykova's story is one of inspiration and sadness but she hopes every single player listens to it.
Damir Dzumhur, a fixture in the men's top 100 over the past decade, was born in Sarajevo during missiles raining down on Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1992. His mother collected him from the maternity ward just two days before the hospital was bombed. When he started playing tennis at age 5, most courts were unavailable due to bombing.
The lack of financial support from their federations and fewer role models can be a significant obstacle for players who come from countries without a strong tennis pedigree. However, with charitable foundations set up by Djokovic, Svitolina, Tiafoe, Oliynykova, and Hantuchova, many young tennis players are getting the opportunities they need to develop their skills.
These stories demonstrate that coming from humble beginnings does not always mean failure in a sport like tennis. The resilience, discipline, and mentality needed to overcome obstacles can often be developed by those who have faced adversity.
you know i'm so inspired by these young players who've had to deal with so much trauma but still managed to chase their dreams. it's like they're living proof that no matter where you come from, if you've got the right mindset and support, you can achieve anything in tennis. 
especially with all these charitable foundations being set up by these players, it's amazing to see how they're giving back to their communities and helping others who've been affected by war or poverty. 
but seriously, it's a bit sad that some players have to face obstacles like lack of financial support from their federations and limited role models in their countries 
still, these stories are so uplifting and i think they can inspire a lot of people, especially young kids who might be facing similar challenges. 
. I think it's amazing how they've been able to turn their struggles into strengths. The fact that they've all set up charitable foundations to help others is just incredible 
. It shows that even in the tennis world, we can make a difference and use our platforms for good. Maybe more players will follow their lead and create opportunities for others, like Marta Kostyuk said 
.
But seriously, it's great that these kids are getting a chance to pursue their passion for tennis despite all the obstacles in their way. On the other hand, isn't it crazy how much of an advantage having access to top-notch coaching and facilities can give you? 
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for giving these kids a chance, but can we really say that they're on an even playing field? 
like Djokovic's experiences in Belgrade as a kid or Oliynykova coming back to Ukraine despite all the obstacles... it's like they've got this superhuman resilience 
and then you see players like Tiafoe who literally slept on the floor at a tennis centre because his parents couldn't afford anything else... that's just heartbreaking 
but at the same time, it's amazing how some of these foundations are helping out all these kids affected by war... we could learn from their determination and grit 
but they keep pushing through and it's so inspiring 
meanwhile frances tiafoe used to sleep on the floor at a tennis centre because his dad worked there and they had no money 
, don't give me that feel-good story vibes 
. I mean, sure, these players are great, but what about all the other youngbloods who can barely afford a racket let alone travel to tournaments? It's like they're getting all the breaks just because they happened to be born in a country with some notoriety 
. And don't even get me started on the federations, are they just going to sit back and watch these kids struggle? 
it's inspiring, but also heartbreaking at the same time. i think what's really cool about players like Djokovic, Hantuchova, Tiafoe, Oliynykova, and Svitolina is that they're not only killing it on the court but also giving back to their communities. setting up those charitable foundations is a huge deal, especially for kids who are going through tough times. 
. Coming from war-torn countries is already so tough, but they're still managing to chase their dreams on the court. It's amazing how Novak Djokovic and others have turned their struggles into a force for good, setting up foundations to help other kids in need. 
. But what's even more inspiring is that they're not just achieving success, but also using their platform to make a positive impact. We should all be cheering them on and supporting these charitable foundations 
.
another war is breaking out in Yemen, killing thousands of civilians 
. the number of child refugees has reached a record high, with many more expected as the conflict escalates 
. meanwhile, the world's top tennis players are doing their part to help those affected by war 
.
Oleksandra's story is particularly touching 
. So, to all the young athletes out there who are facing their own struggles, remember that you're not alone, and there are people like these tennis stars who believe in you and can help you achieve your dreams 
.
!
, you know the one with the cute puppy on their mural? Anyway, I've been meaning to try their new summer latte... Have you ever noticed how some shops have a weird smell that's kinda nostalgic? Like, mine always reminds me of my grandma's kitchen 
. What do you think it is about those smells that gets stuck in our brains like that?