Freddie Krivine (1920 – 2005)
He was known as Israel’s “Mr Tennis”!
Freddie Krivine, often called Israel’s “Mr. Tennis,” was a quintessential English gentleman with a passion for the sport and a vision for its power to unite communities. Born in Harrogate, England, in 1920, he forged a connection with Israel early, studying at Pardes Hannah Agricultural College in 1935 before returning to Britain and serving in the British army during World War II.
A lifelong tennis enthusiast, Freddie co-founded the Israel Tennis Centers in 1972 and moved to Israel in 1984, where he became Director of Women’s Tennis, propelling players like Smashnova, Obziler, and Peer into the international top 100—a feat Britain wouldn’t achieve for another decade.
Elected President of the Israel Tennis Association in 1992, Freddie championed tennis programs in Arab communities and set up a groundbreaking initiative during the Second Intifada in 2000, bringing together children from Caesarea, Jisr a Zarqa, and Faradis through tennis. Despite being told he was mad to attempt such a project during such a volatile time, Freddie believed it was precisely the moment to drive social change and unite Jews and Arabs through his beloved sport.
The 6 Trustees From Left to Right:
Ruby Josephs, Dr Ian Froman, Harold Landesberg, Joe Shane, Dr. Bill Lippy, Freddie Krivine In 1976
Six visionaries from Israel, the United States, and the United Kingdom
They realised their dream and opened the Israel Tennis Centres
The Founding of FKI
After his passing in 2005, his daughter Jane Krivine carried on his vision, transforming his initiative into a charity in his name that has since reached thousands of children through after-school tennis programs, fostering connections and understanding between Jewish and Arab communities across Israel.
Today, FKI’s Head Coach began aged 8 in the very first program that Freddie set up in 2000, while other alumni have gone on to become coaches, business owners, doctors, and nurses.
Over the years, FKI has reached over 10,000 Arab and Jewish children and teens across Israel, fostering inclusion, empowerment, and a shared society through tennis.
Our programs bring together children from communities that rarely interact, creating opportunities to break down stereotypes and build mutual understanding.
We emphasize collaboration at every level, with our mixed team of Arab and Jewish coaches, counsellors, volunteers, and management serving as role models for a shared society. They embody a reality many children have never seen: Jews and Arabs working together as friends, setting an example of how things can be different.
“The Freddie Krivine Foundation brings young people together regardless of their background or nationality. Tennis can encourage them to forget ‘divisions’ and also to have healthy lives. It is my pleasure, once again, to support this terrific initiative.”
Sir Cliff Richard
Legendary British pop singer
“The Freddie Krivine Foundation brings young people together regardless of their background or nationality. Tennis can encourage them to forget ‘divisions’ and also to have healthy lives. It is my pleasure, once again, to support this terrific initiative.”
Sir Cliff Richard
Legendary British pop singer
“The Freddie Krivine Foundation brings young people together regardless of their background or nationality. Tennis can encourage them to forget ‘divisions’ and also to have healthy lives. It is my pleasure, once again, to support this terrific initiative.”
Sir Cliff Richard
Legendary British pop singer