As far as tennis spectacles go, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have played a part in producing many high-quality matches together. Along with Novak Djokovic, the Big 3 have created a legacy of producing entertaining and physically demanding matches that leave spectators in awe at the talent on display.
Legends have come and gone from the professional tennis scene, but none have come close to matching the popularity of the Big 3, as displayed by a record audience present at a match featuring Federer and Nadal.
Record-breaking match raises 3.5 million USD for Roger Federer’s Foundation
A record-capacity audience of 51,940 tennis-crazy fans descended on Cape Town, South Africa, to witness Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal contest an exhibition match together as part of the Match in Africa series.
The two megastars weren’t the only famous personalities present at the stadium, as Federer and Bill Gates teamed up to beat Rafael Nadal and Trever Noah in a single-set doubles showdown. Federer and Nadal would play a singles match later, which the Swiss won 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
The matches were played for a charitable cause and $3.5 million was raised in capital that went to the Roger Federer Foundation. The money was then funnelled to aid children’s education in Africa.
“This Match in Africa is a dream come true,” said Federer. “I will play in my mother’s home country against my toughest rival and friend Rafa Nadal. We share not only the love for tennis but also for the good cause of giving children a better start in education and in life. I feel privileged to entertain millions of people in the stadium and on TV. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime moment for my family and I.”
Before the exhibition match, Roger Federer had toured the schools in South Africa, where he interacted with underprivileged children as part of his foundation. He was later joined by Rafael Nadal for photoshoots and promotional events.
What does Roger Federer Foundation do?
“I believe in the power of people,” the 42-year-old states on the Roger Federer Foundation website. The charity organisation works to provide education for children worldwide by enabling parents and local communities to send their children to school.
The organisation has reached 2,700,000 children to date and mainly serves Southern African regions and Federer’s home country of Switzerland. The foundation’s goal is to provide education to underprivileged children to reduce poverty, improve preventive healthcare and create a committed civil society.
Roger Federer serves as the president of the foundation, with his mother Lynette, wife Mirka and father Robbie acting as trustees. Organizations like the Wyss Foundation, Rolex and Starbucks have been partners and have funded the charitable cause.
“I am eager to dedicate even more time to the foundation in the coming years, visiting more of the projects on-site, and delving deeper into effective philanthropy,” Federer said.
Federer further stated that the journey of providing education to over two million children was incredibly enlightening, exciting and fulfilling for him and enabled him to accomplish great things.
What are your opinions on the Roger Federer Foundation’s immensely valuable help provided to underprivileged children? Let us know in the comments section below.
