Over a decade after she retired from women’s professional tennis, Gigi Fernandez, Puerto Rico’s first female professional athlete, is still very much a part of the game, and then some.
While her younger counterparts are competing in Melbourne and the older ones, with which she once shared the court, are doing television hosting duties, Fernandez made a run herself last week, not for another professional title, but for the health of young people in America.
Partnering with ING, Fernandez took part in the company’s “Run for Something Better” program during the 2008 ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon this Sunday, January 27.
The program is an effort to encourage young people to pursue a healthier lifestyle from an earlier age. “By joining forces with ING in Miami, she hopes to encourage more Miami area youth to fight childhood obesity and get active as part of the national ING Run for Something Better program,” ING said in a statement of their golden role model.
Fernandez is no stranger to the physical game. In a career that spanned two decades, the Tampa resident compiled 17 Grand Slam doubles titles, winning all four majors at least once, and two Olympic gold medals with Mary Joe Fernandez (no relation).
"Although I’ve retired from professional tennis, I’m a firm believer in leading a healthy lifestyle and staying in shape," said Fernandez.
“When ING approached me with this opportunity, it was an easy decision to make. It offered a terrific platform to spread a positive message about youth running and fitness. As a former professional athlete, health and fitness has always been important to me. The ING Run for Something Better program provides funding for youth running programs across the country and encourages kids to get a healthier start to life through fitness. In today's age of video games and fast food, children need these types of programs,” the 43-year-old told Tennis.com.
Fernandez, who has her own foundation, the Gigi Fernandez Charitable Foundation, has long had a history of supporting the Hispanic population, which is prominent in South Florida, donating over half a million dollars to Hispanic youth organizations since its inception.
“My involvement is important in South Florida where there is a large Hispanic community, but my efforts will benefit the ING Run for Something Better program nationally.”
Fernandez has remained active herself. Since calling it quits from the WTA Tour in 1997, she has gone on to earn her bachelor’s degree from South Florida University and is currently pursuing her MBA from Rollins Crummer School of Business. She hasn’t forgotten her tennis roots, however. Fernandez also coaches tennis at her alma mater as well as for the Puerto Rican Fed Cup team, which she captained in 2003.