February 7, 2020, Cape Town, Africa - A dream comes true
20-time Grand Slam Champion Roger Federer will play his first-ever match in Sub Saharan Africa in Cape Town on Friday, February 7, 2020. Federer’s opponent will be 19-time Grand Slam Champion and rival Rafael Nadal.
The match will be played to support children’s education in Africa. It will be the 6th edition of this event, but the first to be played in Africa. SO far, the series has raised more than 10 million USD (135 million ZAR) for the Roger Federer Foundation. The Match in Africa will be very special for another reason: the spectacular arena on the Atlantic coast has a seating capacity of more than 50’000 people and will be the perfect venue to attempt to also set a new world record for the most spectators to watch a tennis match.
“This Match in Africa is a dream comes true,” said Federer. “I will play in my mother’s home country against my toughest rival and friend Rafa Nadal. We share not only the love for tennis but also for the good cause of giving children a better start in education and in life. I feel privileged to entertain millions of people in the stadium and on TV. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime moment for my family and I.”
Rafael Nadal said: “Roger and I have shared so many magical moments on and off the court. Travelling with him to Cape Town and playing for the benefit of children is something I am very excited about. It will be my first time in the region with Roger as a tour guide – that will be fun.”
Celebrity guests Bill Gates and Trevor Noah will also take to the court in a celebrity-pro doubles match with Federer and Nadal. Entertainment will be provided by the Zip Zap Circus School, a Non-Profit organisation based in Cape Town, a social programme to inspire young people, help to build a new culture of peaceful coexistence in South Africa and working with a diverse community of children from all backgrounds.
You can view the event for free on Tennis TV: https://www.tennistv.com/tournaments/2020/the-match-in-africa