Justine Henin and BNP Paribas Fortis join forces to support the future of tennis

Young tennis hopefuls often face a dual challenge, in terms of access to training to reach the next level and the prohibitive cost of such training. BNP Paribas Fortis has now decided to help them achieve their dream by launching a new programme in partnership with the Justine Henin Academy, called the 'BNP Paribas Fortis Young Talent Team with Justine Henin Academy'.

BNP Paribas Fortis is a loyal sponsor of tennis, with which it shares the values of commitment, ambition and fair play. With this programme, the bank confirms its support for the development of tennis in all its dimensions. The aim is to offer young tennis hopefuls the financial and human support they need to reach the highest level of competition.

Support to eight talented young tennis players

Since 2018, the BNP Paribas Group has been providing financial aid as well assupport on and off the court to talented young tennis players to boost their chances of reaching the highest level. After France, the United States, Italy, and Poland, this programme is now being rolled out in Belgium through the 'Justine Henin Academy'. Besides Justine Henin in Belgium, other programme mentors include Yannick Noah, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, John McEnroe, Tathiana Garbin, and Mariusz Fyrstenberg, who each work in their respective countries.

The new programme will provide coaching and financial assistance to 8 young players – boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 18 years – who have been selected by and will train under the direct supervision of Justine Henin and Carlos Rodriguez, the longtime coach of the 7-time Grand Slam winner. Justine Henin will serve as the programme's ambassador and contribute to its roll-out by participating in the selection of young tennis players and by sharing her experience as a tennis champion with the young players who will participate in the 'BNP Paribas Fortis Young Talent Team with Justine Henin Academy' programme.

In practice, the programme will reduce the cost of training, which is estimated at several tens of thousands of euros a year. At the same time, it also offers support on other levels, with language courses, media training workshops, personal image management, awareness of nutrition, doping and sports betting, an intervention on how a tournament works, the role of an agent, etc.

“Since the end of my career, I have always been adamant about sharing my passion for tennis and my high-level experience to high-potential young players through my Academy”, Justine Henin explains. “The creation of the 'BNP Paribas Fortis Young Talent Team with Justine Henin Academy' makes it possible to pursue and ramp up this effort as part of an ambitious, structured project, in line with my convictions. Like BNP Paribas Fortis, my team and I wish to give young hopefuls every chance of success by offering them effective, high-level support on and off the court. Moreover, we are convinced that players will be able to evolve in their tennis training by focussing on their personal and human development, perhaps going on to become great champions one day."

"With the roll-out of the 'BNP Paribas Fortis Young Talent Team with Justine Henin Academy' for younger generations, the bank is strengthening its Positive Banking approach by giving young athletes an opportunity to flourish and deploy their talents while ensuring equal opportunities and inclusion", Max Jadot, CEO of BNP Paribas Fortis, emphasises. “Moreover, the expertise and enthusiasm of the seven-time Grand Slam winner and her team is a positive asset, strengthening this high-level programme and preparing these young players for the many challenges that await in international competition."