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2011-01-13 19:25:55
I’ve said it before, but apparently it cannot be repeated often enough...the men who have entrenched themselves at the top of the men’s game are CLASS ACTS. Over and over and over again, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have answered the call for those in need. A year ago, as we are all too aware, Haiti was devastated by an earthquake.
Roger Federer, who is the organizer of the group, convinced Tennis Australia to host the Hit for Haiti, an extraordinary success given the fact that it was put together with about 30 hours lead time. Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and a group of other dedicated players that people are actually willing to pay money to see went out on court and raised $185,000.
Nadal and Federer did it again at Indian Wells, which WOULD have been a success, but for a fatal mistake on the part of whoever thought it would be a good idea to invite Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras. Actually, in terms of monies raised, it was brilliant – a million dollars was raised for Haiti relief. It was unfortunate that Sampras and Agassi decided to prove to the world that they are, in fact, a pair of 6-year olds, despite the all appearances that they’re bald/ing, middle-aged men.
And actually, even in the midst of the most awkward charity event ever, Federer and Nadal were the heroes. Well, mostly Federer. With Child 1 and Child 2 hurling insults and later tennis balls at each other, Roger tried valiantly to keep the peace. “Things are getting tense out here” he quipped...and when that didn’t send the message to the children that it was time to stop, “Rafa! Do something!”
Nadal, bless his little heart, said later, “I don’t know nothing”...meaning he hadn’t a clue what was going on except that Sampras was trying to take off Agassi’s head every time he served. But I digress...
Federer is once again proving that he’s more than just a pretty head of hair (it IS pretty though, isn’t it? I wish his head would accidentally get in the way of my hand...) and he’s headlining what they’re calling the Rally for Relief, scheduled to take place on Sunday January 16th just prior to the start of the Australian Open.
The Rally for Relief is a charity event for the victims of the horrible flooding in Queensland going on at this moment. In fact, Pat Rafter arena, where the Brisbane tournament was held last week is UNDER WATER. It’s the worst flooding for Queensland in more than three decades. Homes have been destroyed, lives have been lost – and the water has not yet finished coming.
Thankfully, the tennis community has a social conscience. Federer, his charity buddy Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will headline the event, along with Kim Clijsters and a bevy of concerned Aussies including Lleyton Hewitt and Patrick Rafter.
Federer, of course, will be brilliant. They always have the players miked up and Federer is inarguably the best at providing commentary. Nole is also good at it. He might not be quite as charming as the Fed, but he’s quick-witted and he obviously isn’t easily embarrassed. Poor Rafa’s grasp of English simply isn’t good enough to banter as well as the rest of them, but he brings his own sort of charm. It ought to be a good time for an important cause as the thoughts and prayers of the world go out to those affected by this terrible weather.
And we ALL hope that Agassi and Sampras have the good sense to stay at home where they can insult each other via text message instead. “You soulless cheapskate” “You pigeon-toed fame whore” “You boring pain in the...” well, you get the idea.
***note - I just read a few moments ago on Facebook that Andy Murray has also agreed to play. Good on ya, Muzz!
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Great article, Cheryl. Hopefully they will raise a ton of money to people in need.
Love this part: "I wish his head would accidentally get in the way of my hand.."
:)
10sfan , 1/14/11 1:44 AM
lluisa - the press release that I read said that it was Federer's idea. I'll check it out, thanks for the heads up. :)
cherylmurray , 1/14/11 1:51 AM
You are correct Cheryl. All the articles I've seen, and his Facebook page, stated that it was his idea but some people don't want to give Rog credit for anything nice I guess.
numero , 1/14/11 1:58 AM
numero - I give Roger a LOT of credit. Both he and Nadal are just really good and decent people. They are in a position to help and they use it. Kudos to both of them.
cherylmurray , 1/14/11 2:07 AM
I didn't mean you Cheryl. You always give him credit. I meant lluisa.
Nevermind that, draw's out.
numero , 1/14/11 2:38 AM
Admirable by all involved ... no matter whose idea.
Glad to hear Andy will be a part of the rally.
smr , 1/14/11 2:56 AM
i hope nole and nadal do the famous bryan brothers chest bump just like how they did last year for the haiti relief. awesomeness.
dejan1989 , 1/15/11 12:56 AM
I hope Roddick decides to participate...he's quite good at this sort of thing.
cherylmurray , 1/15/11 3:17 AM
Oh please. One public row and Cheryl thinks she can go on and on about Agassi and Sampras. Well, so they fought in public, so what? We've seen Federer's cockiness in a US Open final, and yet he's portrayed as though he's a saint. Sampras was actually responding to an insult hurled at him. Not the best response, but he is human. They've made up since and done some important work of their own playing exhibitions.
And Sampras didn't try to serve Agassi's head off "every time he served". I guess Pete winning in the 90s has scarred you so bad that you need the feel to exaggerate and lie every time you write a statement about him.
"And we ALL hope that Agassi and Sampras have the good sense to stay at home where they can insult each other via text message instead. ?You soulless cheapskate? ?You pigeon-toed fame whore? ?You boring pain in the...? well, you get the idea". Well where else would they be except at home? How is that paragraph even necessary? Just because what players do nowadays is publicised a lot more does not mean it is necessary to keep putting down legends of the past for one mistake. They actually had the guts to clear the air that night the incident happened, and nothing has happened since.
I've seen you write loads of drivel but this tops it all. Shameful journalism.
samprallica , 1/15/11 6:03 AM
ummm ... I was wondering about Roddick too.
smr , 1/15/11 6:24 AM
the moment when agassi pulled out his pockets: "No wait. I've got a dollar.'' .... priceless. always was a big fan of both.
rfzr , 1/15/11 6:54 PM
I wonder if it will be shown on the internet, does anyone know?
deama , 1/15/11 9:22 PM
deama - there will for sure be a stream on fromsport or one of those places. I think in the US, the Tennis Channel is going to show it at 10:00 pm est.
cherylmurray , 1/15/11 9:56 PM
Well said, samprallica. There was no point in bringing Sampras or Agassi up at all, as neither man is participating in this exhibition. Drivel is a perfect description.
Quinn , 1/16/11 2:34 AM
any one watching???? its good fun but where are roggie and rafa???!! waiting for their entry !!
vamosrafa , 1/16/11 4:49 AM
They'll be out in 3 minutes it seems
yudude , 1/16/11 4:50 AM
sampralica - they did NOT just fight in public. They fought during a CHARITY EVENT which they turned into their own personal vendetta. If that doesn't warrant some teasing, I don't know what does. I'm sure it's obvious that I don't really think they're at home texting each other. Come now.
cherylmurray , 1/16/11 4:55 AM
Roger and Rafa are playing "separately" with sam stosur and kim clijsters.
cherylmurray , 1/16/11 4:57 AM
stop overreating guys, what andre and pete did was not pleasant. they were to raise money for a good cause and it was NOT the place to spit out their hatreds. End of it
@yudude,yea they are here now...good entry
'we found a boy from switzerland wandering in the corridor and he can play a little bit of tennis , please welcome Rogeerrrr Federerrr " LOL
vamosrafa , 1/16/11 5:00 AM
well, that was an interesting introduction. I think they expected Roger to get more applause...but he and Rafa sounded pretty even to me.
cherylmurray , 1/16/11 5:00 AM
These guys aren't miked up. Weird.
cherylmurray , 1/16/11 5:11 AM
hehe yea the applause sounded even. anyway,there is nothing like roger-rafa!! their tennis is magical...rafa hit some vicious forehands that were too much for even kim lol..ping pong style was fun too,rog-rafa showing respect for ladies and losing lol...
the first half featurinf andys,nole ana etc was funny but not much of tennis was played in that half, those between the legs and soccer-like exchanges were fun though.ROddick is a good entertainer must say :)
Looking forward to Aus open 2011 ! go rafa go , get the GRAND slam !
vamosrafa , 1/16/11 5:53 AM
It was fun to watch the best players in the world playing mixed-doubles-triples-singles tennis & soccer tennis & hand tennis. It was a nice event for a good cause! Well done!
Augustina08 , 1/16/11 5:58 AM
hope we get more donations for the needy people, nice job done thru this event.
vamosrafa , 1/16/11 6:04 AM
I thought it was really well done. Roddick and Djokovic are OUTSTANDING in this capacity. I loved when Roddick "borrowed" the Lacoste hat and glasses from the linesman.
Still, my favorite was watching Roger hit like Rafa. HAHAHAHAHAA. Good stuff. 1.5 million dollars and counting. Good on the tennis community for it's classiness.
cherylmurray , 1/16/11 6:10 AM
Well, here we are.......squeeky-bum time! Thank you tennistalkers for your good-natured banter to-date.........may your favourite player do well. Well, until he runs into Rafa of course!
rafaisthebest , 1/16/11 11:04 AM
The Best - EVER!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3J0gAXK9Ak
atg , 1/16/11 1:56 PM
Few more:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOFgiJiazaw
http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=vAP67zXPT_k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnzYqBSdsXM
atg , 1/16/11 1:59 PM
Honestly, the part with Nole and Roddick was the best part. Good to see them getting along these days. My fav part was when Ana served to Roddick and he didn't move. Then he said, "I was distracted". I would have been too. Wonder if Brooklyn and Nole's gf would be upset as both guys were doing some heavy flirting with Ana and Caroline.
The Roger/Rafa part was more serious and no mics was probably at Rafa's request as he either can't tell jokes or his English is too bad. He looked really awkward at Indian Wells last year. It was fun to see them team up and get "blasted" off the court by Sam and Kim.
numero , 1/16/11 2:22 PM
thanks for that atg, the first link was hilarious!
mriiidula , 1/16/11 2:24 PM
Here is a link to the complete event:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4YIwG37vT4
nadline , 1/16/11 3:58 PM
thanks nadline!
natashao , 1/16/11 4:06 PM
All Star Rally for Relief for Tsunami:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sn7-nS4jGeA
nadline , 1/16/11 11:01 PM
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The Rally For Relief is being organised by Pat Rafter and Sam Stosur... Roger Federer is just one of the players who has agreed to take part.
lluisa , 1/13/11 11:16 PM