The tennis world has come to a screeching halt due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the players have remained active and vocal with the season on hold. Led by the big three of men’s tennis, the whole community has joined the efforts to help those in need amid the global heath crisis.

Roger Federer announced on March 25 that he and his wife, Mirka, have decided to donate 1 million Swiss Francs (1.03 million U.S. dollars) to vulnerable families in his native Switzerland, insisting that "nobody should be left behind" during these challenging times.

"Our contribution is just a start," wrote Federer in a statement posted on Twitter. "We hope that others might join in supporting more families in need. Together we can overcome this crisis."

Two days later, Rafael Nadal announced that he is teaming with two-time NBA champion Pau Gasol, a fellow Spaniard, to help raise 11 million Euros (nearly 12 million U.S. dollars) for the Red Cross in Spain.

The two have launched the #NuestraMejorVictoria (Our Best Victory) campaign to support the Red Cross in procuring protective equipment and infrastructure to assist vulnerable families in Spain.

"I think that we the athletes that we are in large part because of your support and now is that time that your athletes don't fail you," Nadal said in a video.

"The objective is clear, it's to raise 11 million euros to help 1.35 million people. We trust that all of Spanish sportspeople come on board... Pau and I have already made our donations and we trust in you to make sure that this is our best victory."

Novak Djokovic and his wife, Jelena, followed on March 29 to donate 1 million Euros (1.1 million U.S. dollars) to buy ventilators and other equipment for hospitals in their native Serbia through their foundation.

"The fight is not easy, numbers are not pleasant, but I am convinced that we will manage to make it out of this stronger than before," Djokovic said on Friday in comments released by his foundation.

And the latest star to make contributions, Australian player Nick Kyrgios made a beautiful offer saying that he will drop off food to hungry people during the lockdown.

"Please don't go to sleep with an empty stomach," Kyrgios, the world No. 40, posted on Instagram last Monday.

"Don't be afraid or embarrassed to send me a private message. I will be more than happy to share whatever I have."

"Even just for a box of noodles, a loaf of bread or milk. I will drop it off at your doorstep, no questions asked!" he said in a post which has already attracted more than 90,000 likes.

A rare opportunity for family time and recovery

With the cancellation of the oldest Grand Slam tournament at London's All England Club, and no tennis set to be played until mid-July, many tennis players are trying to look at the situation with a positive attitude. Many are taking this as an opportunity to spend time with family as the traditional jet-setting schedule often makes it a luxury.

Current world No. 1 Djokovic said he is enjoying spending time with his family — something he could hardly pull off before.

"Let's really try to spend quality time with our family at home, enjoy the little things in life," he posted on Instagram.

He also recorded a video of him playing tennis with a friend inside his house using frying pans as rackets and chairs as net. He posted the video on his Instagram account.

Rafael Nadal was also seen playing tennis with his sister Maria Isabel Nadal in the backyard of their residence using two mini sofas as the net.

Roger Federer also shared his home practice routine playing against the wall with snow falling effect on Instagram.

"Staying active at home. Very important at the moment," Federer said in the video, encouraging everyone to listen to local governments and adapt to the new situation. 

Other players took the time simply to, like Djokovic said, "enjoy the little things in life."

The defending Wimbledon champion Simon Halep cherished the enforced time off from the Tour, saying "It's the longest period that I haven't touched a racket. Not the ball, the racket — since Dubai. And I want to keep it that way for one more month."

Halep also shared her new routine. "I wake up at around 10 or 11. It's very good to have a lot of sleep."

"No alarm clock, no schedule, so I just wake up. I have a late breakfast and then I do some running here in the complex. Because we are allowed to do it, it's a private residence."

Thanks to a break from playing tennis, Halep is recovering well from a foot injury she suffered in February and is able to run without pain.

"The foot looks good, I have started to run already and I don't have pain at all," Halep said in a video posted on Twitter.

"I don't play tennis yet but being able to do the training means a lot and gives me a big positive actually."

At least for the tennis community, we've seen a unity from professional tennis stars like never before. Other than donations, they draw something positive from harsh times like now and pass it on to everyday people, reminding them, through their own actions, of the little happy things in lives. Something we tend to forget in normal times.

(With input from agencies)