In a touching display of solidarity, Polish tennis star Hubert Hurkacz has pledged to donate 100 euros for every ace he serves until the end of the season to aid the victims of the devastating floods in Poland. The announcement, made on X (formerly Twitter), highlights the devastating impact of the floods, which have left a trail of destruction across central Europe.
Hurkacz, currently ranked eighth in the world, emphasized that sport is more than just competition, stating, “I will be donating 100 Euros for every ace I hit to support those affected by the devastating floods in Poland. For me, sport is not just a competition, but also a platform to drive impact.”
The floods, which have been described as one of the worst in decades, have claimed the lives of at least 23 people across central Europe. The Czech-Polish border region has been particularly hard hit, with widespread damage to infrastructure and homes. The scale of the devastation is immense, with mud and debris inundating towns, bridges collapsing, and cars submerged. The cost of repairs is estimated to run into billions of dollars.
In response to the disaster, the Polish government has pledged up to 23 billion zlotys ($6.02 billion), with some funds coming from the European Union, to help with the recovery effort. Meanwhile, Hurkacz’s generous donation is a testament to the power of sport to inspire and support communities in times of need.
Hurkacz, seeded second in the Tokyo Open, is set to face American Marcos Giron in the round of 32 on Wednesday. As he takes to the court, he will be carrying the hopes and prayers of those affected by the floods, his every ace a symbol of resilience and generosity in the face of adversity.
