By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_now | Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Photo Credit: Leylah Annie & Family Family/Serve Miami first
Leylalah Fernandez’s Pure commitment to the cause makes it a favorite fan.
Now, Fernandez is returning to tennis fans in Southern Florida – and empowering them to get into the game.
FIGHTER FIGHTER: Ela shakes the keys in Miami
Leylah Fernandez and the nonprofit of her family, Lelah Annie & Family Foundationhave joined forces with Miami first to begin a new community tennis initiative that aims for undeserved young people.
Notified during the Miami Open celebrations, the program will start this summer at Buccaneer Park in Miami Gardens and will provide free tennis, mentoring and academic enrichment guidelines for children aged 5 to 18.
“This partnership really means a lot to me, as it unites two things that I am very passionate about – giving the community again and sharing the love of tennis,” said Fernandez, who lives in Miami. “Together, we will help empower local youth by giving them to grow up both inside and outside the court.”
The 2021 open finalist of the US Fernandez has trained in Southern Florida for years and has completed clinics in the area in the past.
The Initiative will combine the mission of “Leylalah Annie & Family Foundation to set up communities through sport with the first Miami long engagement service to provide tennis, life skills and educational opportunities for young Miami”, according to a media report notifying the program. The post-school program will “focus on the development of characters, leadership, teamwork and athletic academic success,” Miami said in a statement.
“The first Miami service is excited to join the forces with the Lelalah Annie & Family Foundation to create a stable impact on Miami’s youth,” he said Angie Rivera, executive director of the first Miami service. “Our common vision will help provide these young people tools needed to succeed in all areas of life.”
The partnership was officially announced at the beginning of the Lunch Service to collect Miami funds at Hard Rock Stadium. This year’s theme, “serving tennis through programs, parks and partnerships”, underlines the growing efforts of the tennis community to expand entry and net capital in the sport.
For more information please visit www.leylahanniefoundation.org AND at first.
