Monaco Revue -- The celebrity and lifestyle magazine with purpose

Social Diary by Candace Durocher

Getting behind the ball for the environment

Monaco tennis fans got an exceptional treat this week (December 11, 2007) when top tennis stars, including the world's number 1 women's player Justine Henin, came out to serve for the environment. The occasion was an indoor exhibition tennis match to benefit the Prince Albert II Foundation, which tackles climate change, loss of biodiversity and access to drinking water.

No title was at stake, but the players gave a good show, with the men's doubles, for example, producing a hard-fought 8-9 result. In addition to Belgium's Henin, players included Dinara Safina (Russia), Alize Cornet (France), Mario Ancic (Croatia), Jonas Bjorkman (Sweden), Thomas Johansson (Sweden), Ivan Ljubicic (Croatia) and Filippo Volandri (Italy). Although they hail from different parts of Europe, all but Cornet and Volandri are actually now Monaco residents. So not only were there giving the environment a helping hand, they were giving back to the community where they have the pleasure to train outdoors year round, as one player said.

Among those enjoying the evening's action were Monaco's sovereign Prince Albert II and his cousin Elizabeth de Massy, president of the Monaco Lawn Tennis Federation.

Photos: © DP Inc.


Tennis director Zeljko Franulovic with world's top ladies player Justine Henin and Prince Albert II	Government Interior Advisor Paul Masseron and Elizabeth de Massy

Tennis fans swarmed to get autographs from Henin, Alize Cornet (right) and the other players


Cornet, Thomas Johansson and Prince Albert	Bjorkman and Prince Albert greet each other

Elizabeth de Massy with men's doubles winners Ivan Ljubicic (center) and Mario Ancic

Thomas Johansson and Jonas Bjorkman (left) in action against Ivan Ljubicic and Mario Ancic

Henin sizes up opponent Dinara Safina of Russia (right photo)

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