Ahead of Aus Open, Federer, Serena to play charity match for bushfire victims
The devastation has seen a host of sports stars pledge money.
By PTI |
Agencies
Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal will headline an exhibition match ahead of the Australian Open to raise money for bushfire relief. (In pic from left: Roger Federer, Serena Williams)
Dozens of vast blazes, which continue to burn across eastern Australia, have killed 25 people since the start of the disaster in September and destroyed more than 1,800 homes.
Milder conditions are providing a reprieve for firefighters, although more dangerous weather is forecast for later in the week.
Tennis Australia last week announced a fundraising exhibition match at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena -- centre court at the Australian Open -- for January 15, the week before the opening Grand Slam of the year.
The players were revealed on Wednesday with Naomi Osaka, Caroline Wozniacki, Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas joining Federer, Williams and Nadal.
Naomi Osaka, Rafael Nadal, Caroline Wozniacki will be joining Federer and Williams. (In pic from left: Naomi Osaka, Rafael Nadal, Caroline Wozniacki)
ADVERTISEMENT
"For a period of about two-and-a-half hours we're going to be showcasing the game, but also coming together as a community to play our part in the relief effort," said Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley.
The devastation has seen a host of sports stars pledge money, with more than Aus$1.2 million (US$820,000) raised so far from an initiative by tennis chiefs to donate Aus$100 for each ace served during the Australian summer.
There have been fears that smoke haze could affect the Australian Open, but Tiley on Tuesday said this was unlikely.
"All the information we have at the moment, with qualifying coming up next week, is that the forecast is good, we don't expect any delays and we've implemented additional measures to ensure the Australian Open will be able to run as scheduled," he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Tiley pointed to Melbourne Park having three roofed stadiums and eight other indoor courts which "effectively weather-proof the Australian Open".
Game, Set, Split: Naomi Osaka And Other Tennis Aces Who Parted Ways From Their Coaches
1/4
The coming together of Djokovic (R) and Becker (L) as player and coach caught the world’s imagination in 2013. The Serbian star went on to win six Grand Slams under Becker and held all four major titles. However, three years later, the pair parted ways and it was clear that Becker wasn’t too happy. Speaking about Djokovic, he said, “He didn’t spend as much time on the practice court in the last six months as he should have, and he knows that.”
The coming together of Djokovic (R) and Becker (L) as player and coach caught the world’s imagination in 2013. The Serbian star went on to win six Grand Slams under Becker and held all four major tit..
Read More
Murray (L) hired the Czech legend as his full-time coach at the start of the 2012 tour season. Under Lendl’s guidance, the feisty Brit went on to win his first Grand Slam final — the US Open in 2012. Murray also won his first Wimbledon title in 2013. But the coach and player parted ways in 2014. They then reunited in June 2016 and enjoyed immediate success as Murray claimed his second Wimbledon title. But they split again in 2017. An injury-prone Murray hasn’t won a Grand Slam since.
Murray (L) hired the Czech legend as his full-time coach at the start of the 2012 tour season. Under Lendl’s guidance, the feisty Brit went on to win his first Grand Slam final — the US Open in 2012...
Read More
Djokovic once again made news when Andre Agassi joined his coaching team as head coach in mid-2017. In 2018, the pair parted ways. In a statement Agassi said, “With only the best intentions I tried to help Novak. Far too often, we found ourselves agreeing to disagree. I wish him only the best moving forward.” In later interviews, Agassi said their parting ways stemmed largely from the player’s reluctance to embrace his guidance and ideas.
Djokovic once again made news when Andre Agassi joined his coaching team as head coach in mid-2017. In 2018, the pair parted ways. In a statement Agassi said, “With only the best intentions I tried t..
Read More
The Williams and Witt partnership was a long and successful one. In an interview, Witt reportedly said that the separation at the end of 2018 season came as a “total surprise” to him and that the seven-time Grand Slam champion chose to end their 11-year-long association with a two-minute phone call. In a New York Times article, Witt said, “Part of you sits there and says that, and the other part says that it was a business decision, which I totally understand, and I respect her decision. I don’t even need to know why, it’s just her decision.”
The Williams and Witt partnership was a long and successful one. In an interview, Witt reportedly said that the separation at the end of 2018 season came as a “total surprise” to him and that the sev..
