Tennis stars come together to raise money for Australian flood victims
Having come together almost a year ago for earthquake victims in Haiti, the brightest stars in tennis are once again taking to the courts for a worthy cause. This time, the elite of the ATP and WTA are organising a fundraiser for
Australian flood victims. More than 2.5 million people have been affected by the floods that have swept across the state of Queensland, with several people reported dead or missing, and thousands expected to remain homeless for months.
Hoping to do their part for flood relief efforts, leading tennis stars have planned to come together on the eve of the Australian Open to play for charity.
World number one Rafael Nadal and world number two Roger Federer, along with Kim Clijsters, Samantha Stosur, Novak Djokovic, Lleyton Hewitt and Australian tennis legend Pat Rafter will be playing at Melbourne on Sunday in the “Rally
for Relief” at the Rod Laver Arena.
“As an Australian I cannot help but be touched by such an awful turn of events,” said Hewitt. “It is a disaster on a massive scale. If the tennis community can also help play a role in the recovery then we should, both in Australia
and internationally. I just think at a time like this it is a case of getting all hands on deck.”
The world’s top two, Nadal and Federer, were among the first to come forward for the relief effort.
“This is a terrible tragedy,” said Nadal. “I am pleased to be able to contribute in some way and help bring the attention of the world.”
“We just want to do something to aide the recovery because we know there are thousands of Australians who will continue to suffer as a result of the disaster,” said Federer.
This charity event is the latest in efforts by the ATP and WTA to raise money for the victims. Only a few days ago, the governing bodies of the ATP and WTA announced that they will be donating $10 each for every ace served in the
three events of the Australian Open Series. The act is expected to raise at least $41,000.
Tennis stars Andy Roddick and Samantha Stosur had already pledged $100 each for every ace they served in the 2011 Brisbane International. Roddick had later upped this bid to $200, raising a total of $10,800. The governing body
of the Brisbane International also pledged $5,000 for the cause. Stosur has agreed to continue this act throughout her run in Australian events all the way to the prestigious Australian Open next week.
Local star Matthew Ebden has also pledged $100 each for every ace he serves at the Medibank International this week as well as every ace at the Australian Open next week.
Touched by the response from the tennis world in the light of recent charity acts, Rafter said, “The plight of the flood victims has struck a chord with the entire tennis fraternity. As a Queenslander I am really heartened by the
concern and the keenness from our sport to get in and do something to ease the suffering.”
Almost the same line-up of tennis stars had come together a year ago at a similar event, to play the “Hit for Haiti”, where they were raising money for victims of the devastating 7.0 earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12, 2010.
Tags: