The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Federer signs up for a worthy cause

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 05, 2006

Sport

Sport - Tennis

Federer signs up for a worthy cause

NEW YORK: Top-ranked tennis player Roger Federer was named a goodwill ambassador for the UNICEF on Monday, joining pop singer Shakira, film star Jackie Chan and other celebrities in the campaign to draw attention to the world's needy children.

The 24-year-old Federer, who won the Nasdaq-100 Open in Key Biscayne on Sunday, appeared shy and slightly embarrassed when the crowded hall at the UNICEF headquarters gave him a standing ovation when he officially signed up as ambassador.

``We are given a chance to visit so many different countries and cultures and interact with people from all walks of life,'' Federer said of tennis professionals.

``It is our responsibility to connect with the real world beyond our sport, to use our fortune to make a difference in the lives of those who most need it.''

`Hectic, but why?'

He gently chided one questioner who asked him why he felt it was important to appear in New York after such a physically gruelling week.

``Ok, the schedule is hectic, but why? It's because I won the tournament,'' Federer said.

``You know, if I would have lost earlier, I would have had an easy schedule. So it's a great problem to have that I have this busy schedule.''

Joining celebrities

Federer joins about two dozen other celebrities from around the world as a goodwill ambassador for the UNICEF.

In 2003, the Swiss launched the Roger Federer Foundation, which promotes tennis worldwide and helps poor children in South Africa, where his mother is from.

He said a recent trip in which he visited children with AIDS convinced him of the role he could play with UNICEF.

``Seeing the happiness and the sadness so close together served as a stern reminder of our responsibility to these children,'' Federer said. — AP

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