The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Federer calls for tsunami relief effort

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 12, 2005

Sport

Sport - Tennis

Federer calls for tsunami relief effort

MELBOURNE, JAN. 11. World number one Roger Federer has led calls for tennis to join other sports in raising money for victims of the south Asian tsunami disaster.

Federer said tennis players should follow the example set by the world's top cricketers, who joined forces for a one-day International in Melbourne on Monday, which raised more than $10.63 million for the relief effort.

``I straightaway was thinking about different options for us to help,'' the Swiss said on Tuesday, during the draw for Kooyong Classic, the traditional warm-up event for next week's Australian Open.

``If we can help just a bit then I'd definitely play as much as they (organisers) like. Obviously we can't be there to help but I'll play in as many matches as possible throughout the year.''

Andre Agassi echoed Federer's comments, saying that the governing bodies of tennis should come together to organise events.

``I think this would be the best opportunity in the world for all of us (players) to come together,'' said the American.

``Because tennis is an individual sport it would need one of the professional bodies to organise it. But it was a terrible tragedy and I think you'd find all the players happy to do all they can to help those who've been affected.''

Like many tournaments, the Kooyong Classic will be holding daily collections, with the money raised being donated to UNICEF.

Top seed Federer will open his bid for the title in the eight-man event at Kooyong against French Open champion Gaston Gaudio of Argentina.

Another Argentine, defending champion David Nalbandian, meets Briton Tim Henman, Agassi faces Olympic champion Nicolas Massu of Chile and American Andy Roddick takes on Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand.

Agassi also lauded Federer as a standard-bearer who is lifting the sport to a new level.

Agassi, a four-time Australian Open winner, praised Federer after the Swiss picked up his momentum from a record-setting 2004, beginning this season with a win at Doha. — Agencies

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