World-renowned tennis stars Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev helped raise over $100,000 for Armenians forcibly displaced from Artsakh during a special charity exhibition match organized by Homenetmen Glendale Ararat on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at UCLA’s Los Angeles Tennis Center, reports Zartonk Media.
The match concluded with Khachanov securing a hard-earned 6-3, 4-6, 10-8 victory. However, the event’s success was measured not only by the score but by the significant funds raised—over $100,000—to assist Armenians forcibly displaced from Artsakh by Azerbaijan.
The event commenced with the Ararat Homenetmen Scouts parading the flags of Armenia, Artsakh, California, and the USA alongside Khachanov and Rublev. The players’ entrance was met with thunderous applause, setting the stage for an unforgettable match.
Before the match, Khachanov and Rublev warmed up with Tiffany Papazian, Lily Chamras, Oleg Simonyan, and Vem Tarassian, the winners and runners-up of the 2nd Annual Ararat Tennis Tournament.
As the game progressed, match host Silva Harapetian enlivened the atmosphere with playful banter between the players and the audience. Rublev humorously referred to Khachanov as the “Armenian Warrior” and highlighted his curiosity. She also engaged the players in a light-hearted discussion about their favorite Armenian dishes, revealing Khachanov’s preference for dolma and Rublev’s affection for Lule Kabob.
Khachanov, with a world ranking of #15 and an impressive track record including five ATP Tour singles titles and an Olympic silver medal, alongside Rublev, a fellow achiever with a doubles Masters 1000 title, exemplifies strength, resilience, and community engagement. Their support for Homenetmen Glendale Ararat highlights their commitment to nurturing the next generation of Armenian American youth and promoting the values of physical, moral, and social education.
Homenetmen Glendale Ararat is a local non-profit organization that supports Armenian youth through sports and scouting programs. Founded in 1978, it continues its mission to foster Armenian cultural pride, volunteerism, leadership, and teamwork while upholding community and cultural values. The organization is an integral part of the Glendale community, providing services to over 10,000 children, young adults, and seniors over the years. Through organized and supervised after-school and weekend activities, “Ararat” is a safe, clean environment for teenagers and young adults.
Events like this exhibition match significantly contribute to the community, one serving at a time, furthering the organization’s legacy of positive impact.
