Related News
Federer and Co. stage fundraiser for Haiti victims
Source: Agencies |
January 17, 2010, Sunday
|
Online Edition
Online Edition
ROGER Federer and other leading tennis players devoted the eve of the Australian Open to a fundraiser for Haiti earthquake victims in an exhibition match today that offered a rare glimpse at the camaraderie behind their on-court rivalries.
The event dubbed "Hit for Haiti" raised more than AU$200,000 (US$185,000), an amount that organizers expected would increase.
Federer, who has won a record 15 Grand Slam titles, teamed up with reigning Australian Open champion Serena Williams and Australia's Lleyton Hewitt and Samantha Stosur. Their opponents were 2009 winner Rafael Nadal, 2008 winner Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick and US Open champion Kim Clijsters.
The players wore microphones on court, adding to the entertainment of a mixed-doubles match featuring player substitutions. Commentating as they lunged, lobbed and smashed, they displayed their athleticism and personalities.
There was the eloquent and debonair Federer who played the role of master of ceremonies. It was Federer's idea to hold the match, which he helped organize a day earlier. There was the good-natured Clijsters cracking jokes, playful Nadal with his sideways grin and wisecracking Roddick.
To the delight of the crowd, Roddick mocked Williams' infamous meltdown at the US Open when a line judge called her for a foot fault during a crucial point in her semifinal loss to Clijsters.
"Did you really call a foot fault on me in a charity match?" Roddick reprimanded a line judge. "You realize Serena's over there, right?"
The camera panned to Williams sitting on the sidelines shaking her head and laughing, as the packed 15,000-seat stadium erupted in laughter. Williams has been touchy on that subject since her arrival in Australia last week - the profanity-laced, finger-pointing tirade cost her a record fine of US$82,500.
Federer tried three times to show off the shot from his US Open victory against Djokovic that he has described as the greatest of his life: a between-the-legs, back-to-the-net winner from the baseline. Today, it worked once and sunk into the net twice.
Djokovic displayed his powerful serve, acing Williams on one point and prompting her to comment: "You look really good acing girls."
Later, Nadal smashed a winner at Williams' feet, evoking a piercing shriek from the world's No. 1-ranked women's player.
"Don't scare me like that Rafa," she said, drawing support from teammate Federer who assured her, "I'll get him back."
At one game break, Clijsters massaged Nadal's sore thigh. She did not interact with ex-fiance Hewitt - both of them are now married with kids.
In the end, Federer's so-called Red Team beat the rival Blue Team 7-6 in their one-set match that lasted an hour and a half. The teams were named for the colors of Haiti's flag.
"It was a fun afternoon for all of us. But most important is that we can help Haiti," Federer told the center court crowd after the match ended.
Some players made separate contributions, organizers said, including 2008 Australian Open winner Maria Sharapova (US$10,000), American John Isner (US$5,000) - after he won the Auckland tournament - and Marcos Baghadits (US$5,000) - after he win in Sydney.
Seats cost AU$10 - a fraction of the normal price for a Grand Slam match - and fans lined up from early morning, waiting hours to get tickets for the afternoon match.
"It was electric in there," said Melbourne resident Helen Forrest, 63. "This was just really fun and a really good way to see the other side of the players."
Zaggy Dean, a 40-year-old real estate photographer from Melbourne, called it a worthy cause.
"I'm devastated about this tragedy. It's one of the poorest countries in the world," he said. "This was a great opportunity."
The event dubbed "Hit for Haiti" raised more than AU$200,000 (US$185,000), an amount that organizers expected would increase.
Federer, who has won a record 15 Grand Slam titles, teamed up with reigning Australian Open champion Serena Williams and Australia's Lleyton Hewitt and Samantha Stosur. Their opponents were 2009 winner Rafael Nadal, 2008 winner Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick and US Open champion Kim Clijsters.
The players wore microphones on court, adding to the entertainment of a mixed-doubles match featuring player substitutions. Commentating as they lunged, lobbed and smashed, they displayed their athleticism and personalities.
There was the eloquent and debonair Federer who played the role of master of ceremonies. It was Federer's idea to hold the match, which he helped organize a day earlier. There was the good-natured Clijsters cracking jokes, playful Nadal with his sideways grin and wisecracking Roddick.
To the delight of the crowd, Roddick mocked Williams' infamous meltdown at the US Open when a line judge called her for a foot fault during a crucial point in her semifinal loss to Clijsters.
"Did you really call a foot fault on me in a charity match?" Roddick reprimanded a line judge. "You realize Serena's over there, right?"
The camera panned to Williams sitting on the sidelines shaking her head and laughing, as the packed 15,000-seat stadium erupted in laughter. Williams has been touchy on that subject since her arrival in Australia last week - the profanity-laced, finger-pointing tirade cost her a record fine of US$82,500.
Federer tried three times to show off the shot from his US Open victory against Djokovic that he has described as the greatest of his life: a between-the-legs, back-to-the-net winner from the baseline. Today, it worked once and sunk into the net twice.
Djokovic displayed his powerful serve, acing Williams on one point and prompting her to comment: "You look really good acing girls."
Later, Nadal smashed a winner at Williams' feet, evoking a piercing shriek from the world's No. 1-ranked women's player.
"Don't scare me like that Rafa," she said, drawing support from teammate Federer who assured her, "I'll get him back."
At one game break, Clijsters massaged Nadal's sore thigh. She did not interact with ex-fiance Hewitt - both of them are now married with kids.
In the end, Federer's so-called Red Team beat the rival Blue Team 7-6 in their one-set match that lasted an hour and a half. The teams were named for the colors of Haiti's flag.
"It was a fun afternoon for all of us. But most important is that we can help Haiti," Federer told the center court crowd after the match ended.
Some players made separate contributions, organizers said, including 2008 Australian Open winner Maria Sharapova (US$10,000), American John Isner (US$5,000) - after he won the Auckland tournament - and Marcos Baghadits (US$5,000) - after he win in Sydney.
Seats cost AU$10 - a fraction of the normal price for a Grand Slam match - and fans lined up from early morning, waiting hours to get tickets for the afternoon match.
"It was electric in there," said Melbourne resident Helen Forrest, 63. "This was just really fun and a really good way to see the other side of the players."
Zaggy Dean, a 40-year-old real estate photographer from Melbourne, called it a worthy cause.
"I'm devastated about this tragedy. It's one of the poorest countries in the world," he said. "This was a great opportunity."
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
