STEFANIFOREVER20
She was twenty. She stays twenty.
September 23, 1996 — December 3, 2016
A tennis foundation in loving memory
STEFANIFOREVER20
TENNIS FOUNDATION
She was twenty. She stays twenty.
Making coaching, gear and mental-health support available to every young player who wants to play.
🎾 Coming Soon — Date & Location Pending
Tennis in Loving Memory of Stefani
We are working on confirming the date and location. Stay tuned! Every dollar raised goes directly to clothing & gear for children in Ghana and our Community Mural Project — empowering messages painted together on a public tennis wall in Queens, NYC in partnership with NYC DOT Art (application in progress).
100% goes to gear for kids & the community mural
📍 Location
To Be Announced
We are confirming the venue — stay tuned!
🕛 Time
To Be Announced
💜 Wear lavender if you can!
👨👩👧 Parents & guests with kids — free intro tennis clinic & pickleball game
🏆 Tournament
Kids & Adults · All Age Groups
✨ Experience
More Than Tennis
📋 Register for the Event
In Loving Memory
Who Was Stefani Lineva?
She was twenty. She stays twenty.
Chapter one
A shining tennis star
Stefani Lineva was a 20-year-old sophomore at Binghamton University and a shining tennis star whose passion for the sport — and for life — was truly contagious. She was a former National Player who dedicated herself to tennis from the earliest age, rising through the ranks with remarkable talent and determination.
Chapter two
Rising through the ranks
Stefani held the #1 ranking in the Eastern Section in the 10's and 12's age groups, and Top 3 in the Eastern Section in the 14's and 16's. She was ranked Top 20 Nationally in the 12's and 14's — and made history by becoming the youngest Women's Club Champion at the age of 13 at the historic West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, New York. She went on to become the Singles Northeast-10 Conference Champion in October 2016.
Chapter three
So much more than her trophies
But Stefani was so much more than her trophies. She had a deep, genuine love for children — volunteering at tennis camps and junior clinics, giving her time freely to young players who reminded her of herself. She had a gift for connecting with kids, making them feel seen, capable, and loved. Her dream was to become a child psychiatrist — to combine her love of young people with a mission to protect their mental health.
Chapter four
Her legacy lives on
Tragically, on December 3, 2016, Stefani lost her life in a hit-and-run accident. But her spirit endures — in every child who picks up a racket, every young person who finds the courage to ask for help, and every court where her name is spoken with love. Mental health support for young athletes is not an afterthought here — it is a core part of Stefani's legacy and a promise we carry forward in her name.
"StefanieForever20 — because her spirit lives on in every game, every child, and every dream she inspired."
On court — her record
#1
Eastern Section
10's & 12's age groups
Age 13
Youngest Women's Club Champion
West Side Tennis Club, Forest Hills
Top 20
Nationally
12's & 14's age groups
Top 3
Eastern Section
14's & 16's age groups
Champion
NE-10 Conference
Singles — October 2016
Her time was cut short. Her impact continues.
Changing Lives Through Tennis
StefanieForever20 Impact
The Stefani Forever Foundation awards full-ride scholarships to deserving young athletes, giving them the opportunity to pursue tennis and their dreams.
$2,000 Raised
Donated clothing and athletic apparel to youth in Ghana.
Over $10,000
Raised through tennis-inspired T-shirt sales on Velvetosh Etsy, designed to empower young athletes.
Over $20,000
Contributed toward youth tennis clinics, tournaments, scholarships, and equipment donations.
Stefani's Legacy
Continuing Stefani's legacy by making tennis accessible to all.
Daniel Castro
Full Ride — Stefani Forever 20
December 16, 2022
Marvin Castro
Full Ride — Stefani Forever 20
December 16, 2022
Stefani & Novak Djokovic
Tennis runs in the family
The People Behind the Mission
Meet the Team
Daniela Atanassova
Founder
A dedicated pediatrician with a passion for children's health, longevity, and mental wellness, Daniela founded the Stefaniforever20 Foundation to honor Stefani's memory and ensure that sport continues to heal and empower young lives around the world.
Daniel Linev
Co-Founder
A former national tennis player and future medical doctor, Daniel co-founded the foundation with a deep commitment to youth development, mental health, and making tennis accessible to all — carrying Stefani's spirit forward through every serve.
Jessica Livianu
Chair of the Foundation
A former competitive tennis champion, Jessica Livianu knows firsthand the discipline, heart, and joy the sport can bring. As Chair of the Stefaniforever20 Foundation, she channels that competitive spirit into strategic leadership — expanding the foundation's reach and ensuring Stefani's legacy of love, resilience, and tennis continues to uplift young lives around the world.
Our Mission
Free Coaching. Gear Donations. Global Impact.
Free Coaching & Gear
Free coaching at our tennis academy is available for youth empowerment through various tennis events. We also focus on sports psychology and sports nutrition to enhance performance. We welcome donation opportunities for clothes and tennis gear to support our programs.
Mental Health Support for Tennis Players
We believe a strong mind is just as important as a strong backhand. Our foundation provides mental wellness resources, sports psychology coaching, and a safe space for players to talk about the pressures of competition, identity, and life on and off the court.
Tennis for All — Love All
No racket? No problem. No court nearby? We'll find one. Tennis should never be gated by income, zip code, or background. We provide free gear, free coaching, and free access so every child who wants to play, can play. Tennis for All. Love All.
Events
Where We Show Up
Look for us at the tennis courts, shine or rain, at anytime, in any country.
Tennis For All Africa — Girls Tennis Give Back
Empowering young girls across Africa with free coaching, gear donations, and mental wellness support on and off the court.
Mission Trip to Honduras
Bringing free tennis coaching, gear, and community outreach to youth in Honduras as part of our global mission.
West Side Tennis Club — Lavender Ball
A beautiful community event at the historic West Side Tennis Club — bringing together youth, families, and supporters for a day of tennis, celebration, and giving in honor of Stefani's legacy.
Free Coaching at Our Tennis Academy
Free coaching sessions for youth ages 10–16, offered throughout the year based on our event schedule. Availability varies — follow us on Instagram for the latest updates on upcoming sessions.
Mission Trip to Honduras — April 2022
Event Spotlight
West Side Tennis Club
Lavender Ball Tennis Event
A beautiful and meaningful event at the historic West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, New York — bringing together youth, families, and supporters for a day of tennis, community, and celebration in honor of Stefani's legacy.
Voices of Impact
What People Say About Us
From the Bronx to Ghana, Honduras to Queens — Stefani's legacy lives on in every child who picks up a racket.
Before the foundation came to our community, my son had never held a tennis racket. Now he wakes up every morning asking to go to practice. This program gave him a dream — and the tools to chase it.
Maria Reyes
Parent — Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Growing up in the Bronx, tennis felt like a sport for other people — not for kids like us. Stefaniforever20 changed that. They showed up with rackets, coaches, and most importantly, belief in us. I'll never forget that.
James Carter
Scholar — The Bronx, New York
The foundation brought tennis equipment and joy to our village. The children had never seen a real tennis court, but they played with so much heart. Stefani's spirit was present in every smile on that court.
Kofi Mensah
Community Coach — Accra, Ghana
I knew Stefani personally — she was the kind of person who lit up every room. This foundation is everything she stood for. My daughter received a scholarship and it has opened doors we never thought possible.
Angela Torres
Tennis Parent — Queens, New York
Get involved
Ways to Help
There is more than one way to take part.
Donate
Contributions go to coaching, gear, scholarships and clinics for young players.
Donate via PayPalDonate Equipment & Clothing
The foundation collects tennis shoes, rackets, skirts, shorts, shirts, hats, visors, socks, bags and jump ropes.
Email the foundationVolunteer
Volunteers are welcome at events — and volunteer entry is free. Tell us how you would like to help.
Email the foundationSponsor an Event
Clubs, businesses and community partners can support a clinic, a tournament or a scholarship.
Email the foundation"Look for us at the tennis courts, shine or rain, at anytime, in any country."
Stefani Lineva · Forever 20
Gallery
Through the Lens of Giving
Tennis For All Africa — Girls Tennis Give Back Summer 2023