A record 51 954 people attended the Match in Africa between tennis greats, Rodger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the Cape Town Stadium on Friday night, making it the highest attended tennis match to date.
The charity exhibition saw Federer going head -to- head against 19 time Grand Slam Singles Title holder Nadal. A pro-celebrity doubles match, which saw philanthropist Bill Gates team up with Federer and South African comedian Trevor Noah with Nadal, was also played.
More than $3 million has been raised in aid of children’s education in Africa.
Nadal has applauded South Africans for their support in the match. The money will benefit the Rodger Federer Foundation which runs School Readiness initiatives in Botswana, Malawi and South Africa and other African countries.
Federer, who has strong ties to the country because his mother was born here, says it’s a very proud moment for him.
“I never thought I would be part of something like that. To be honest, it’s not something you dream about. These things just all of a sudden happen and that we were able to be part of it, I was able to be part of organising it, creating a dream like this in a place where I had my roots. I am so proud that I have my roots here in South Africa,” says Federer.
Calm before the storm. #MatchInAfrica @rogerfederer @RafaelNadal @BillGates pic.twitter.com/2sJKSHSMJS
— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) February 7, 2020
— Greg Volkwyn (@GregVolkwyn) February 7, 2020
Tonight’s match raised $3.5m (over R50m) for the Roger Federer foundation.
Do you think our government ever feels embarrassed when global celebrities raise a ton of cash here while they can’t even provide basic service delivery?#MatchForAfrica
— Koshiek Karan (@iamkoshiek) February 7, 2020
Most attended tennis matches:#Federer #Nadal: Capetown, South Africa . ( 51,954)
Federer, @AlexZverev : Mexico City, Mexico (42217).
Serena, Clijsters: Brussels, Belgium (35,681)
Billie Jean King, Bobby Rigs : Houston, USA (30,472)#MatchForAfrica#MatchInAfrica
— Roger Laver (@DonaldTendulkar) February 7, 2020
Awesome atmosphere at #MatchForAfrica pic.twitter.com/EDrX7idEyH
— Xolile Msutwana (@XolileMsutwana) February 8, 2020
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