In the stunning setting of Milan’s Sforza Castle, tennis met fashion last night at the Novak Djokovic Foundation gala dinner, presented by Giorgio Armani. The foundation—launched in 2007 by Novak Djokovic and his now-wife, Jelena, to support early-childhood education in Serbia—invited A-list celebrities and the fashion elite to join the world’s number one tennis player in championing the cause. Giorgio Armani, Anna Wintour, and Serena Williams, as well as Michelle Hunziker, Gaia Trussardi, and Fabio Volo were in attendance. The evening was enlivened with a live performance by Italian trio Il Volo and Zia Uehling, an 11-year-old singer.
At the gala’s live auction, overseen by Simon de Pury, Wintour and Roberta Armani won bids to play tennis with Williams in Milan. Among the other items up for auction was the amazing Armani Privé dress worn that night by Jelena; the chance to spend an afternoon with tennis legend Boris Becker; and important works of art by Francesco Clemente and Maurizio Galimberti.
“As a father, the foundation’s mission means more to me than ever. I want to ensure every child gets the best start in life through early-childhood education so they can achieve their dreams, just as I did,” said Novak. In his native Serbia, half the children ages 3 to 5 lack access to education. In the past few years, the foundation has trained more than 600 teachers, built or repurposed 18 schools, and helped more than 10,000 children.