Tennis & Friends Naples, over 15 thousand screenings in three days

“Exceeding 400 thousand free screenings in 15 years means having transformed an intuition into a concrete model of prevention and public health”, declared Professor Giorgio Meneschincheri at the end of the Naples stage of Tennis & Friends – Health and Sport. The project, born from his idea in 2011, involved over a million citizens throughout Italy and was included in the calendar of Naples European Capital of Sport 2026. For three days the Naples Tennis Club and Lungomare Caracciolo were transformed into a “Health and Sport Village”, open free of charge to citizens and 15 thousand visits and consultations were achieved. During the Campania stage, over 30 specialist services were offered: from cardiology to diabetology, from psychological consultancy to dermatology, up to oncological screening for the prevention of colorectal, lung, breast and thyroid cancers. All made possible thanks to the mobilization of the Campania healthcare system.

ambassador and next steps

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Various institutions were also present in these days, including the mayor of Naples Gaetano Manfredi, the president of the Campania Region Roberto Fico, the councilor for Sport and Youth Policies of the Campania Region Fiorella Zabatta and the councilor for Sport and Equal Opportunities of the Municipality of Naples Emanuela Ferrante. Among the ambassadors who spoke during the event also Al Bano, Neri Marcorè, Silvia Salemi, Veronica Maya, Marco Tardelli, Aldo Montano and Peppe Iodice. All in support of prevention and correct lifestyles. The 2026 Tennis & Friends Tour will continue in Turin from 11 to 13 September, then return to Rome from 2 to 4 October at the Foro Italico for the main edition. Then again Turin and Bologna in November, during the Nitto ATP Finals and the Davis Cup.

statements

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“Tennis is a health training ground accessible to all ages. Supporting initiatives that bring prevention to the heart of our cities means contributing responsibly to the growth of a more aware sporting culture”, explained Angelo Binaghi, president of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation. Dr. Meneschincheri adds: “The numbers speak clearly: with correct lifestyles and regular screening, up to 72 thousand deaths per year in Italy from cancer could be avoided. Fifteen years ago this approach represented a pioneering vision, today it is increasingly widespread. We have believed from the beginning that sport could be a powerful tool for raising awareness, well-being and a culture of prevention”.