WASHINGTON, March 30, 2020 (by Michael Dickens)
Rising British star Katie Swan is making the the most of her downtime from the WTA Tour during the coronavirus crisis. She’s turning her energy toward helping Unites States charity Big Brothers, Big Sisters, bringing hope to disadvantaged families in her adopted hometown of Wichita, Kansas.
“Mom decided when this coronavirus started that she wanted to support those families with groceries they couldn’t get, either because they were too scared to go out or, having too many kids, could not leave them at the house,” the just-turned-21-year-old Swan said of her mum Nicki’s efforts, as quoted by the The Guardian newspaper in London.
A native of Bristol, the British No. 7 Swan (ranked No. 254) moved seven years ago because of her father’s Richard’s job in the oil industry. Her adopted hometown is about 4,438 miles (7,142 kilometers) from Bristol.
“Some still have to work while their kids are note in school. (Mum) has been going to the supermarket pretty much every day for the past two weeks, buying loads of groceries,” said Swan, who has been putting together food parcels and other necessities along with her teen-aged brother Luke for the tax-exempt charity.
“I have been helping her get the care packages ready for delivery. The garage is packed. She told me (on Wednesday) they have sent out care packages to 70 families.”
Swan has only played in four tournaments this year totaling eight matches. For now, she’s been able to practice at her local club and do her fitness at home. “I am trying to take all the positives out of this,” she said. “I had my 21st birthday on Tuesday. I know it is a shame I cannot be playing tournaments, but it is a silver lining that I got to spend the time with my family.”
