Every year, the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin showcase the best of men’s tennis—precision, power, rivalry, and athletic brilliance. But amid the roaring crowds and dazzling spotlights, there is a quieter, more touching tradition that reminds us why sport matters beyond trophies and rankings.

As the world’s top eight players make their way onto the court, they are accompanied not by anonymous mascots, but by children with extraordinary courage. These are the “In and Off Therapy” kids from the Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital in Turin—young patients who have faced medical challenges far greater than any opponent on the tennis court.

A Walk That Means More Than Ceremony

For the players, these walkouts are a symbolic moment. For the children, they’re something deeper:
a moment of pride, visibility, and joy during a chapter of life often filled with medical routines and uncertainty.

The initiative, born from the collaboration between the ATP Finals organizers and the Regina Margherita Hospital, is designed to bring the children into a world where excitement replaces anxiety and where they can feel like champions in their own right. The children—some still undergoing treatment, some newly discharged—step onto the same court as Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and the biggest names in tennis.

For a few minutes, the stadium stands for them, too.

Courage Meets Inspiration

The presence of these young escorts transforms the atmosphere. Behind every small hand held by a tennis superstar is a story:

• a battle with illness

• a family fighting beside them

• a medical team dedicated to healing

• a child discovering resilience they never asked to develop

Their participation gives the event a deeper emotional resonance. It bridges sport and humanity. It reminds spectators that courage doesn’t always look like a blistering forehand—it sometimes looks like a small child in a hospital hoodie, smiling bravely as they walk into an arena of 15,000 people.

More Than a Gesture—A Message

This tradition sends a powerful message: champions come in all sizes.

While the athletes compete for one of the most prestigious titles in tennis, these children embody strength of a different kind—quiet, persistent, and often uncelebrated. Their walk on court is not just symbolic; it is a celebration of hope, recovery, and community.

For the players, it’s a humbling reminder. Many have shared how meaningful it is to meet the children and hear their stories, often finding inspiration in their resilience. For the families and hospital staff, the event is an emotional lift—proof that joy and normalcy can shine even during long medical journeys.

Turin’s Heart Behind the Tournament

The Regina Margherita Children’s Hospital is one of Italy’s most respected pediatric centers, known for its compassionate care and commitment to supporting the whole child, not just the illness. Including the hospital in a global sporting event is a testament to Turin’s spirit—its blend of culture, sport, community, and generosity.

The ATP Finals may rotate cities again someday, but Turin’s legacy will include the warmth and humanity it infused into the event.

Where Champions Walk Together

In a tournament defined by precision and power, the most heartwarming moment happens before a single point is played. Watching the world’s best athletes walk hand-in-hand with children who show extraordinary courage reminds us why we celebrate sport in the first place.

Not just for the winners.

But for the stories, the connections, and the human spirit that shines a little brighter when we walk together.