Finn's 2016 Tennis Campaign

I’m Finn Tearney from Wellington and in 2015 I jumped 1200 places up the world rankings to 361 and become NZ’s top ranked men’s tennis singles player. For many of you this would have come as a surprise! Check out the Crowd Goes Wild video clip in the link which tells you a bit about me and my journey.

But this isn’t the whole story. Without the help of family, friends and supporters I would never have made it to where I am today and for this I am very, very grateful. I’d like to acknowledge everyone who has helped me in a thousand different ways and say ‘thank you’.

For those of you who enjoy a game of tennis from time to time, you’ll know that there are days when things go well and you’re making all your shots and other days when nothing works, no matter how hard you try. It’s been the same for me too, but I’ll come back to that in a minute.

My tennis story began when I was at school and has included me representing NZ as a junior player in events like the Commonwealth Youth Games and the Junior Davis Cup. I went on to play for Pepperdine University where I reached #14 in the singles and #2 in the doubles in the NCAA Div 1 College rankings. Shortly after graduating I hit the road, but had to undergo shoulder surgery which put an abrupt stop to my 2014 plans. Recovering from shoulder surgery was much harder than I thought it would be, but I learned a lot about myself during this time (and about the people who helped me) and the forced time out allowed me to refocus on my goals for 2015.

When 2015 came around, it was great getting back into it and playing some tough, challenging matches. I beat a couple of players with rankings inside the top 200 and won several doubles titles and a singles title along the way. I know it meant a lot to my supporters that I kept them up to date with how things were going, both the good and the not so good...and so I sent out monthly news updates and photos.

I still have a way to go and this is why I need your help. I need to continue to be exposed to, and play in, high level international competition. Getting ahead in men’s singles means being in the world’s top 200 or so, because that is when you really start to be able to pay your own way. This is my goal for 2016.

Unfortunately, I receive no financial support from Tennis New Zealand; this is because they have a limited budget and it is targeted to selected juniors and the Davis Cup team.

The funds raised through this project will go directly into paying for me to play in many more ATP Challenger Events through Asia Pacific, America and Europe. Challenger Events have higher entry criteria than Futures events and with my current ranking I now qualify to play these. I’ll also make the balance of the year up with ATP Futures Events to fit my schedule.

As for 2016, I should play around 24 international events in the year. With my 2016 costs estimated at $40,000, all donations will go directly towards my travel, accommodation, entry fees, insurance and some coaching.

SUPPORTER JOURNEY

You can be a part of my 2016 ProTour Team. I am really appreciative of any support that you can give as it will really help me on my way.

If you kindly donate, you will receive a monthly news update from me, with photos and when possible, video clips. Just leave your email address for me when you donate (I keep emails confidential). So you can get to know me a bit better, I’ve attached a clip of me playing in Japan in June 2015:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PvIMFv8nk8

and you can also read a couple of recent articles

NZ Herald Article December 6 2015

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11556719

NZ Herald Article - January 3, 2016

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11568765

OVERSEAS CREDIT CARD DONATIONS.

If you are making an overseas credit card donation and are having trouble please follow the link below.

https://givealittle.co.nz/content/help-support/knowledge-base/international-credit-card-issues

Thank you, Finn