Freddie Krivine (1920 - 2005)

He was known as Israel's "Mr Tennis"!

Freddie Krivine was the quintessential charming English gentleman. Born in Harrogate, England, in 1920, and educated in England and France, he attended the Pardes Hannah Agricultural College in 1935, learning Hebrew and establishing a strong link to the country. He returned to Britain in 1938 and at the outbreak of World War II, he joined the British army.

A lifelong tennis aficionado, in 1972 Freddie became one of the six founder trustees of the Israel Tennis Centers. He settled in Israel in 1984 continuing his involvement with tennis. As Director of Women's Tennis, he worked tirelessly to ensure the most talented girls could play the international circuit. As a result, for several years Israel had three women players (Smashnova, Obziler and Peer) in the top hundred.

An achievement it took Britain, the home of tennis, another decade to match

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 realized their dream and opened The Israel Tennis Centers

Freddie's other passion was to support tennis in the Arab sector by introducing tennis programmes into the community.  His dream, he said, was to see an Arab Israeli play Wimbledon. Freddie was elected President of the Israel Tennis Association (ITA) in 1992, a post he held until his death in 2005.
The Charity was founded in 2005 by Jane Krivine to continue her father's work.

Freddie Krivine was a legend ❤️

Dr. Sireen MohsenBegan tennis aged 8 on Freddie's first coexistence team

It was an honour and privilege to know Freddie Krivine and to have catered for his fundraisers towards this wonderful project. Thank you Jane for carrying on with his legacy!

Fonda DubbSupporter

When I was a boy, people from the Freddie Krivine Foundation came to Fureidis in order to promote tennis among Arab and Israeli kids. Tennis changed my life course and I believe it can change the life course of other children

Pro tennis coach Ibrahim FahamnaBegan tennis aged 8 on Freddie's first coexistence team

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 RichardLegendary British pop singer

This has led to a transformation of a culture. Imagine, Arab girls, who would never have even dreamt of the chance, now want to learn tennis, some dreaming, no doubt, of becoming a professional

Ambassador Gershon GanChairman of the Freddie Krivine Initiative

You are a father to us; we will never forget you, and all you have done for Fureidis and Jisr a-Zarka.

Na'im FahamnaCostal village of Fureidis

All Anna's (Smashnova) success is Freddie's success! Without him, Anna's success would never have happened

Alex Smashanovafather of Anna, the highest ranking Israel woman player

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