The Association of Tennis Professionals has launched a brand new global charity program that has a primary aim of giving back to communities where the ATP plays its tournaments. It also supports player activities and the charity causes that are covered range from educational to youth events and services as well as community services around the area of health and fitness. The Program is called Aces for Charity and the ATP says that through this program, the ATP will both raise more and give more to charity and showcases charity work by the ATP and their players.

The ATP will begin the program this year, giving annual grants to certain charities that have met eligibility requirements and are nominated by the ATP events and their players. Other activities are planned throughout the season like an annual charity auction. This week, the disaster in Japan is the focus with Japan's number one player Kei Nishikori in the spotlight. Nishikoir is promoting the Red Cross earthquake effort and will be working alongside players in the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells to procure memorabilia to auction off to benefit the victims.

The BNP Paribas Open also saw Robin Soderling and Mike and Bob Bryan meet with the volunteers that helped the tournament to thank them for making it happen. The first night of the tournament was announced as Charity Night, and a fifth of each ticket sold went to the Champions Volunteer Foundation, which is a non-profit made up of volunteers that raise funds for charities in categories including recreations, educational, and welfare programs. The program started in 2002 and has donated more than a million dollars to local charities.