RALLY 4 BALLY DUBAI EVENT CELEBRATES LEGACY AND LAUNCHES UK ROLLOUT

News and Stories by Nino Severino

The Rally 4 Bally movement brought its energy and inspiration to Dubai this month, uniting players, supporters and partners in celebration of the enduring legacy of Elena Baltacha. Staged in a city synonymous with ambition and global connectivity, the event marked a powerful milestone for the foundation, honouring its origins while formally launching an ambitious UK-wide rollout that will see clubs and schools across the country host their own Rally 4 Bally events. Players of all ages took to the court in Dubai, embracing a format that blended high-quality coaching, tennis-play drills for young players and personal development. The atmosphere was both uplifting and purposeful, reflecting the values Elena embodied throughout her career: courage, resilience and a deep commitment to nurturing the next generation.

The original Rally 4 Bally was staged in 2014 following the tragic passing of Elena Baltacha. Created as a fundraising initiative to continue her work supporting young athletes through the Elena Baltacha Foundation, the inaugural event was spearheaded by her friend and fellow British tennis star Sir Andy Murray. Held at the prestigious Queen's Club in London, the 2014 Rally 4 Bally brought together leading figures from British tennis and beyond. It was a day of exhibition tennis, heartfelt tributes and collective remembrance. Players, coaches, administrators and fans united in a powerful show of respect and solidarity, raising significant funds to ensure Elena’s vision would continue.

The event demonstrated the strength of the tennis community and its willingness to rally, quite literally, around one of its own. It established Rally 4 Bally not simply as a memorial occasion but as an active, forward-looking movement committed to opportunity and inclusion in sport. The 2026 Rally 4 Bally is now proudly led by our patron, Marion Bartoli. A former Wimbledon Championships singles champion, Marion Bartoli lifted the Wimbledon trophy in 2013 with her distinctive two-handed style and unwavering determination. Her Grand Slam triumph cemented her place among the sport’s elite and inspired countless young players around the world.

As patron of the foundation, Marion Bartoli has embraced her role with passion and authenticity. In Dubai, she led from the front, delivering structured drills and engaging in rally sessions. Participants responded enthusiastically to her hands-on coaching approach and personal encouragement. Dubai Rally 4 Bally also featured a wonderfully engaging school-based element, hosted at Dubai British School, Jumeirah Park, one of the city’s most respected international schools. The school welcomed the Rally 4 Bally programme with open arms, generously opening its facilities and inviting pupils to take part in tennis sessions led by our patron, Marion Bartoli, and the foundation team. 

This enthusiastic participation from students added so much to the day, bringing energy and genuine excitement to the activities. We are hugely grateful to the whole school community, from leadership and teachers to every pupil who showed up with curiosity, courage and great sportsmanship. Their support and eagerness to engage with Rally 4 Bally epitomised the spirit of the event and helped create unforgettable memories for everyone involved. Under Marion Bartoli’s leadership, Rally 4 Bally has evolved beyond a one-day fundraising initiative into a dynamic programme. Her presence underscores the foundation’s ambition: to combine elite-level inspiration with grassroots accessibility. By aligning her name and energy with the cause, she ensures Elena’s mission to support aspiring athletes, particularly those facing financial or social barriers, remains vibrant and relevant.

A central announcement in Dubai was the official launch of a UK-based Rally 4 Bally rollout. Tennis clubs and schools nationwide will now be empowered to organise their own events under the Rally 4 Bally banner, raising funds locally while contributing to the broader mission of the foundation. Devon LTA has already committed to delivering Rally 4 Bally events across the county, marking an important early endorsement. Their pledge reflects confidence in the programme’s structure and impact. By embedding Rally 4 Bally within county and club calendars, the foundation aims to create an annual nationwide moment of action, uniting communities through tennis. Clubs will receive guidance to ensure each event maintains the spirit and standards of the original initiative. Importantly, this decentralised approach allows local creativity to flourish while maintaining a shared national identity rooted in Elena’s values.

The Dubai Rally 4 Bally was proudly sponsored by Halo, the Stowmarket-based IT company whose commitment to community sport continues to grow. Their involvement carries deep personal and historical resonance. Halo are also sponsors of Ipswich Town F.C., the club where Elena’s father, Sergei Baltacha, played during his professional football career. Sergei was a respected defender during his time at Ipswich, and the club remains an important part of the Baltacha family story. Elena, herself, made Ipswich her home, living there with her husband, Nino Severino, chairman of the foundation. The town therefore represents both personal history and the operational heart of the foundation’s work. Halo’s sponsorship connects these threads: local pride, sporting heritage and long-term community investment.

Adam Godfrey from Halo attended the Dubai event, reinforcing the company’s active engagement rather than passive sponsorship. Halo’s support of Ipswich Town further highlights their commitment to backing sport at all levels, from professional football to grassroots tennis initiatives. Their involvement in Rally 4 Bally demonstrates how corporate partnerships can extend beyond branding to meaningful alignment with values. By supporting this event, Halo helps sustain opportunities for young athletes while honouring a family legacy closely tied to Ipswich sport.

Also present in Dubai was Penelope Moor, founding member of the WTA and a trustee of the foundation. She supported Marion Bartoli in delivering the session, offering her experience and perspective to participants both on and off the court. Fellow foundation member Zoe Alexander also attended, assisting with drills and engaging directly with young players throughout the event. Their involvement ensured that the Dubai Rally 4 Bally combined professional expertise with personal encouragement. Together, the players, sponsors, trustees and supporters created an event that reflected the very essence of Rally 4 Bally: unity, opportunity and belief. From its heartfelt beginnings in 2014 to its ambitious UK rollout in 2026, the movement continues to grow, carrying Elena Baltacha’s spirit forward with purpose and pride.