Cliff Richard, the renowned singer and tennis enthusiast, recently made a generous contribution to the Wimbledon Foundation by donating four original oil portraits of iconic female tennis players to the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum. During his visit to the museum at the Wimbledon Championships, Cliff had the chance to see the portraits, which were painted by acclaimed British artist Johnny Jonas.
The paintings feature legendary tennis stars Steffi Graf, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, Monica Seles, and Martina Navratilova, and they have all been signed by the players themselves, with the exception of Seles, who was unable to sign.
The Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum acquired the portraits for permanent display, marking an important milestone in supporting the Wimbledon Foundation.
Cliff’s donation has a meaningful purpose, as the funds raised from the sale of the artwork will directly benefit the Wimbledon Foundation, which is the official charity of The Championships and the All England Lawn Tennis Club. The foundation plays an important role in supporting over 150 charities annually, focusing on both local communities in Merton and Wandsworth and contributing to national and international charitable initiatives.
Johnny Jonas, the talented artist behind the portraits, is well-known for his expressive and lifelike paintings, having previously been commissioned to paint royalty, political leaders, and other sporting legends.
His work captures the essence and stature of these iconic athletes, and the portraits are sure to be a highlight for tennis fans visiting the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum.
Cliff’s support of the Wimbledon Foundation, through his thoughtful donation, reflects his ongoing commitment to giving back and helping those in need, particularly through initiatives that support both the sport he loves and the broader community.