SYDNEY, January 12, 2020 (ATP Press Release)
Following the final of the inaugural ATP Cup on Sunday, the ATP has announced a AU$ 725,000 (US$ 500,000) donation from ATP players towards the WWF’s Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund as part of the bushfire relief efforts.
The donation from ATP players was revealed on court by Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal during the ATP Cup final trophy ceremony in Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena, marking the latest fundraising initiative that has seen tennis come together through a sport-wide Aces for Bushfire Relief campaign launched at the start of the ATP Cup.
A big #ATPCup announcement! ❤️@atptour players have made a $725,000 donation to @WWF_Australia and Nature Recovery Fund as part of the bushfire relief efforts. pic.twitter.com/dkJGYLxyU6
— ATPCup (@ATPCup) January 12, 2020
Andrea Gaudenzi, ATP Chairman, said: “Australia plays host to the ATP Tour every January in such an incredible way, and more so than ever this year with the first edition of the ATP Cup. The devastation that we have seen across the country from the bushfires has been heart-breaking. The whole sport has come together to lend its support, especially the players who feel such a strong affinity with this great country. On behalf of all the players, the ATP is pleased to be able to play its part and we will continue to work with Tennis Australia on upcoming initiatives as the sport rallies together to support the relief efforts.”
Djokovic, President of the ATP Player Council, said: “Australia is such an amazing and welcoming country and it feels like home for us at the start of each season. To see the damage to wildlife and nature from the bushfires has been devastating. This donation with the ATP is on behalf of all the players and our thoughts and support go out to all those who have been affected.”
The #Aces4BushfireRelief campaign has seen many players pledge to make their own personal donations towards the disaster relief and recovery efforts, as well as raising awareness of the fundraising initiative through messages of support on social media.
Many of the ATP’s biggest stars, including Djokovic, Nadal, Roger Federer, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Nick Kyrgios, will take part in an Australian Open Rally for Relief exhibition match at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday 15 January. All funds raised from AO Rally for Relief will be donated to the bushfire relief cause.
Donations to the Australian Red Cross bushfire disaster relief and recovery efforts can be made at www.redcross.org.au/tennis, while donations to the WWF’s Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund can be made at https://www.wwf.org.au/get-involved/bushfire-emergency
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