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BSP-15
TENNIS-AUS-OPEN-FIRE
Federer, Serena headline Aussie bushfire charity match
MELBOURNE, Jan 8, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Superstars Roger Federer, Serena
Williams and Rafael Nadal will headline an exhibition match ahead of the
Australian Open to raise money for bushfire relief, organisers said
Wednesday.
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 Wednesday with Naomi Osaka, Caroline Wozniacki,
Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas joining Federer, Williams and Nadal.
“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.
Tiley pointed to Melbourne Park having three roofed stadiums and eight
other indoor courts which “effectively weather-proof the Australian Open”.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1102 hrs