Friday, April 4, 2025
University of Miami to Host Tennis Legends at Miami Earth Cup
MIAMI, Fla. — Under the Tennis Race to Zero initiative led by Nicolás Lapentti, the global tennis community joins the fight against climate change with the creation of the Miami Earth Cup, an event that will bring together five legends of the sport: Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Carlos Moyá, and brothers Mike and Bob Bryan.
The first edition of this exhibition tournament will take place on April 22 at the University of Miami’s Neil Schiff Tennis Center, in commemoration of Earth Day. Starting today, fans can purchase their tickets to enjoy this exclusive event organized by the Tennis Race to Zero Foundation, aiming to raise awareness about record-breaking global temperatures and the importance of climate action in the tennis world.
In an unprecedented exhibition, several former world number ones in tennis will support the launch of the Tennis Race to Zero Foundation, an organization committed to collaborating with various institutions to provide environmental education to young tennis talents and develop strategies that complement existing commitments to accelerate decarbonization by 2040.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year on record, with an average temperature of 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels. Some alarming facts include:
- The last ten years (2015-2024) have been the warmest on record.
- 2024 was the first year with a global average temperature exceeding5°C above the 1850-1900 average.
- Six international datasets support this global figure consolidated by the WMO.
- 2024 recorded exceptional temperatures both on land and in the oceans.
- Although the long-term temperature goal of the Paris Agreement remains, it is in serious danger.
Nicolás Lapentti, president of Tennis Race to Zero Foundation, stated: “We welcome the Neil Schiff Tennis Center at the University of Miami and the Miami Earth Cup, which will annually bring together former world number ones as part of a campaign to promote environmental education in tennis. We thank our friends, institutions, and sponsors for their support in achieving these urgent goals and invite everyone to enjoy this unique experience.”
The Tennis Race to Zero Foundation will be supported by organizations such as Green Cross UK and Carbon Pulse to foster discussions on strategies to achieve net-zero emissions.
Former ATP world number one and Tennis Race to Zero Foundation ambassador, Gustavo “Guga” Kuerten, expressed: “I am proud that tennis is making a long-term commitment to protecting our planet. This is an issue that is very close to my heart. The ecological crisis affects us all, and as players, we already feel its impact in the places where we compete. I encourage all tennis players to get involved in any way they can on the road to COP30 in Brazil.”
Paige Yaroshuk-Tews, Director of Men’s and Women’s Tennis at the University of Miami, remarked, “We are honored to host this Tennis Race to Zero Foundation initiative through the end of the decade at the University of Miami. Connecting the great talents of tennis history to create awareness in the new generations is a task that we support with enormous commitment.”
Tickets are available at: https://miamihurricanes.evenue.net/promotions/TENNIS
About the University of Miami’s Neil Schiff Tennis Center
The Neil Schiff Tennis Center, home to the University of Miami’s men’s and women’s tennis teams, was built to host collegiate, amateur, and professional competitions. Funded with over one million dollars in donations from friends and family of Neil Schiff, this facility has also hosted major youth tournaments, such as the International Junior Orange Bowl, and has been the venue for regional qualifying rounds of the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championship.
More information at: www.miamihurricanes.com/facilities/neil-schiff-tennis-center/
About the Tennis Race to Zero Foundation
The Tennis Race to Zero Foundation promotes environmental education among institutions and players, providing technical assistance and developing decarbonization strategies in collaboration with the 211 national federations affiliated worldwide, with the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2040. For more information, visit:
