The greatest eight in women’s tennis return to Singapore at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global from October 23 – 30, and it promises to feature many of the the game’s heaviest hitters. And while the media likes to focus on the grunts and attire of the women, what often goes unnoticed are the causes they stand for. Which is a pity, because these world-class athletes are actually trying to use their influence to improve the world.

We’d like to believe that there’s some good left in this world – so we’re here to shed some light on these causes.

1. Sania Mirza

Cause: Conservation

Current no.1 in the double rankings, Sania Mirza is an ambassador for the World Wildlife Fund India.  

She had previously pledged her support for Earth Hour, which aims to get individuals to adopt household products powered by renewable energy, and to encourage corporates to adopt renewable energy solutions for their business operations and production processes. Earth Hour also hopes to see governments promote policies that are favorable towards the production and uptake of renewable energy.

2. Simona Halep

Cause: Children

At 25 (which is younger than most of us), Simona Halep has become one of tennis’ most prominent players, breaking into the top 50 in 2012 (she was 21 – what were you doing at 21?) Then she won 6 WTA titles in 2013 alone.

Perhaps her opportunity to pick up tennis at the tender age of four has inspired her to help children. Simona is an ambassador for the Save The Children foundation in her home country of Romania, where according to the organisation, one infant dies every five hours because of under-equipped maternity wards. Grim stuff.

3.Agnieszka Radwańska

Cause: Eliminating poverty housing

Known as ‘The Professor’ among her peers for her creativity in making shots, Agnieszka Radwańska is a fan favourite – probably due to the scintillating matches she often has a hand in creating.

When she’s not thrilling audiences, she helps Szlachetna Paczka – a charity in her home country – to get supplies for the less fortunate.  Agnieszka also lends her hand to Habitat for Humanity (which has a branch in Singapore)– which aims to eliminate poverty housing worldwide by building simple, safe and affordable houses.

4.Andrea Hlavackova

Cause: Handicapped Children

Doubles veteran Andrea Hlavackova made the news earlier this year after receiving a ball to the eye (which broke her orbital bone) from rival Martina Hingis (who is Sania Mirza’s partner, see point 1) during the recent Rio Olympic Games. Both of them will be competing again at the WTA Singapore Finals starting this weekend.

Off the court, Andrea has her eye on families of handicapped children. Her own charity – the Andrea Hlavackova Foundation - raises funds for them. On its website, the organisation says it “would like to make [the] return [of handicapped children] to a full life easier. The organisation also supports comprehensive rehabilitative and educational care for children with disabilities.”

5.Garbiñe Muguruza

Cause: Refugees

The refugee crisis has caused plenty of heartbreak in Europe. While some have turned a blind eye to the crisis, there are still those who care. One of them is none other Garbiñe Muguruza, the No. 5 seed in the singles leaderboard for the WTA Singapore Finals 2016.

Back in April, she took some time off to play at the Mutua Madrid Open, a charity event that funds humanitarian aid for the Syrian refugees through several organisations including the UNHCR (The UN’s agency for refugees) and CEAR (Spanish Commission for Refugee Aid).

Worthy cause? We think so.

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Companies doing their part

Inspired? The fact is many other tennis players are turning their attention to causes bigger than themselves.

Lest you think only the players are the only ones up to some good, companies sponsoring this year’s WTA Finals in Singapore, such as Asia Pulp & Paper (APP), are also doing some impressive work.

APP has announced that it will plant a tree for every ace scored at the WTA Finals in Singapore.  The trees will be planted on a 2-hectare plot of land in Riau, Sumatra from November 21- 25.  It believes the planting of the trees can help to offset the event’s carbon footprint.

Interested in catching these green champions in action? Get your tickets at http://www.wtafinals.com.

This article is brought to you by APP, one of the sponsors for the upcoming WTA Finals in Singapore from October 23 – 30 2016.