Nick Krygios’ plans for a massive fundraising effort for bushfire victims has resulted in a tennis exhibition match set to feature some of the world’s top players.
Kyrgios kicked off a flood of donations to the fundraising campaign from sporting names around Australia, including American NBL star LaMelo Ball.
Kyrgios floated the idea of a charity tennis match and Tennis Australia on Friday responded by announcing a “Rally for Relief” exhibition match on Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday Jan 15.
They will also donate proceeds from a Jessica Mauboy concert on Sunday Jan 19 to the Red Cross appeal and grant $1m for communities to rebuild tennis facilities.
TA chief executive and Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said the players to take part in the exhibition would be announced in coming days.
The world’s top two players, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, are currently in Australia, preparing for the grand slam tournament.
“We are working closely with the top players and have already had a great response, with many of them keen to help this incredibly important cause,” Tiley said.
Kyrgios already put his hand in his pocket, pledging $200 for each ace he served across the Australian summer of tennis.
Fellow Australian players Alex de Minaur, John Millman and Samantha Stosur, among others, also vowed to donate money from their aces while the new ATP Cup got on board.
The tournament announced that for every ace served over the next 10 days across the three venues they will send $100 to the Australian Red Cross, with the final figure expected to surpass $150,000.
NBA-bound Ball, who plays for the Illawarra Hawks, pledged to donate one month of his NBL salary to help victims of the devastating fires.
“It’s sad to see what is happening on the south coast of Australia,” Ball said in a statement.
“People have lost their homes and everything they own. My parents taught me to help out wherever I can, so this is my way of helping out.”
Big Bash League captains, Brisbane Heat’s Chris Lynn and Melbourne Stars’ Glenn Maxwell as well as Hurricanes batsman D’Arcy Short, have all pledged $250 for each six they hit in the competition.
“It is special to see so many athletes from various sports getting in behind the real heroes who are fighting to save lives and properties around our country,” Lynn tweeted.
Australia’s cricketers will auction off signed shirts from the Boxing Day Test while Cricket Australia will throw open the gates to firefighters during two SCG one-dayers against New Zealand in March, also using the trans-Tasman series as a fundraising drive.
Melbourne A-League clubs – Victory, City and Western United – will also donate $2 from every ticket sold to their matches this weekend.
Perennial bridesmaid LawConnect has claimed Sydney to Hobart line honours, coming from behind to pip fellow supermaxi Andoo Comanche in a thrilling river finale.…
Andoo Comanche has won line honours in the Sydney to Hobart.
The jam-packed month-by-month quiz full of 2022 sports trivia!
The warm-up races for the 36th America’s Cup kicked off last week in Auckland, New Zealand, with barely a whimper despite Team New Zealand…
The Sydney to Hobart yacht race has been cancelled for the first time in its history, with organisers admitting border restrictions forced by Sydney's…
Sydney to Hobart organisers insist the show will go on despite doubts being raised about the 2020 yacht race following a COVID-19 outbreak on…
