Ljubicic, Special Olympics Monaco Celebrate ATP ACES For Charity Grant

© ATPSpecial Olympics Monaco was named a recipient of an ATP ACES For Charity grant.

Ivan Ljubicic and members of Special Olympics Monaco celebrated the news of their selection as an ATP ACES for Charity grant recipient, Wednesday at the Monte-Carlo Country Club.

The former World No. 3 officially became the Ambassador of the Special Olympics Monaco, whose mission is the integration of the mentally handicapped through sport, in December 2009.

“I am extremely pleased to be able to help the Monaco Special Olympics through the 2011 ATP ACES for Charity grant programme,” said Monaco resident Ljubicic. “I have been involved with them for many years and it has been an honour to become their ambassador two years ago.

“Being a professional athlete, I take pride in being able to contribute in some way to the integration of sports amongst mentally disabled people here in Monaco where I live.

“I know this money will be gratefully received and used wisely.”

Ljubicic had supported the group for a number of years, by attending their social functions and offering them financial support and clothing for their worldwide sport meetings.

Last week, the ATP announced the 12 inaugural recipients of its ATP ACES For Charity grant programme. Grants of $10,000 each will be awarded by the ATP on an annual basis to charitable causes nominated by ATP World Tour players and tournaments.

This year’s recipients included The Rafa Nadal Foundation, the Bryan Brothers Foundation, the Japan Tennis Association’s earthquake relief fund, and organisations supporting a range of causes, including healthcare for children in Memphis and Bucharest, relief for victims of natural disasters in Pakistan, sports and education programmes for disadvantaged youth in Washington DC and the Congo, and social services for the disabled in Argentina and China.

Read more about the ATP’s charitable efforts