The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been devastating for the Ukrainian people around the world. Recently, the USTA (United States Tennis Association) organized a one-night event called “Tennis Plays for Peace” to help the Ukrainian people. Notably, many famous players, like Rafael Nadal, Iga Swiatek, John McEnroe, Coco Gauff, and others took part in this event before the commencement of the US Open.
Previously, all the ATP and WTA players wore the Ukraine ribbon to show their support for the country and its people. Now the USTA organized an event, which raised a significant amount of money.
Rafael Nadal, John McEnroe, and Iga Swiatek helped the USTA to raise money for Ukraine at US Open
Last Wednesday, many players including Rafael Nadal, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Dayana Yastremska, Sergiy Stakhovsky, and a few more took part in the “Tennis Plays for Peace” event where they raised around $1.2 million.
Notably, Nadal and Swiatek teamed up against the pair of John McEnroe and Coco Gauff to play a mixed doubles match. In this match, they entertained the crowd with some outrageous shots. Apart from that, McEnroe tried to reproduce his infamous outbursts from his playing days as he threw his racket in a hilarious way.
Earlier, the USTA hosted the Ukrainian team during the Billie Jean King Cup qualifier, where they also raised around $250,000. The tournament director of the US Open, Stacey Allaster, revealed that she did not have to put too much effort into asking the players to participate in the event.
After this fun event, world no.1 Swiatek said, “I want to use every opportunity to show people that we all can be united and can all do something to help things in Ukraine.”
Earlier this year, another exhibition match was organized in Poland to help raise funds for Ukraine. Swiatek and the former Polish player Agnieszka Radwanska went head to head, with Elina Svitolina in the umpire’s chair.
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Earlier, all four Grand Slam tournaments and the three governing committees (ATP, WTA, ITF) joined forces to donate money during the time of crisis. Other famous players, like Roger Federer, Andy Murray, and others, have also made significant contributions.
Safe to say, the tennis world is united in supporting Ukraine and its people and it seems like they will continue to do so in the future as well.
The post Rafael Nadal, John McEnroe, Coco Gauff, and Other Tennis Stars Raise a Huge 7-Figure Sum to Aid Ukraine at US Open 2022 appeared first on EssentiallySports.
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