Roger Federer entertained the sold-out arena in San Jose (USA) at the “Match for Africa 5”. The fact that the “Maestro” won the singles and doubles was of secondary importance at the benefit event.
Prior to Roger Federer’s return to the seriousness of being a professional at the ATP Masters 1000 Tournament in Indian Wells on Thursday, the Swiss player diligently collected donations for his foundation for children in Africa during the fifth edition of “Match for Africa”.
The funniest scene of the evening took place at the doubles match between Federer and Microsoft founder Bill Gates, who recorded it with Jack Sock and NBC”Today Show”presenter Savannah Guthrie:”You have to start watching the ball and stop looking at me,”exclaimed industry leader Guthrie.
Federer also had a light-hearted saying to his double partner Gates:”He knows the numbers very well, he never makes mistakes. The distribution of roles has paid off: Federer/Gates were able to win the doubles with 6:3 in their favour.
In the following singles match against Jack Sock, Federer won 7:6 (9) and 6:4. The audience was thrilled: After Roger defended four set points in the tiebreak of the first set, there was roaring applause from the 15,000 fans in the ranks.
Much more important than the numbers on the scoreboard were the $2.5 million that came together on Monday evening for the Roger Federer Foundation. With its foundation, the world’s number one in the rankings has been supporting the construction of schools in Africa and other social projects for years. During the first four editions of the event, Rafael Nadal, Stan Wawrinka, Andy Murray (all together in Switzerland) and most recently John Isner competed with Federer in Seattle.