Rafael Nadal and Coco Gauff will lead fellow pros from across both the ATP & WTA tours to take part in a charity exhibition event for Ukraine at next week’s Australian Open.
The Tennis Plays for Peace Initiative will aim to raise further funds and support relief efforts for the war-torn country on January 11 in the lead-up to the first Grand Slam of the year.
The Spaniard will be joined by the likes of Coco Gauff, Maria Sakkari, Alexander Zverev, Frances Tiafoe and Alex de Minaur for the second edition of the fundraising efforts after a highly successful event at last year’s US Open raised $1.2million.
The Tennis Plays for Peace initiative was launched by the sport's seven governing bodies—the ATP Tour, the Hologic WTA Tour, the ITF and the four Grand Slams—in March in response to the invasion. In all, the last Grand Slam raised $2 million for Ukraine over a three-week span, and fans around the world can donate themselves at tennisplaysforpeace.com.
Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said: “Tennis is a truly global sport with an international playing community that has a history of stepping up and helping out.
“Through Tennis Plays for Peace the tennis community can offer practical assistance through fundraising, as well as show our heartfelt support for the victims of the war.
“We look forward to a spectacular night of tennis and entertainment and a wonderful opportunity to come together and raise much-needed funds.”
Other players will be announced closer to the start of the event, which will take place at Melbourne Park.
The Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund by Global Giving has been providing humanitarian aid for war-torn Ukraine since Russia invaded the country nearly a year ago.
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