Federer and Nadal set another record by playing for over 50,000 fans in South Africa to raise nearly £3m for charity
ROGER FEDERER and Rafa Nadal teamed up to break a tennis record on Friday night with over 50,000 fans watching their charity match in Cape Town.
Microsoft founder Bill Gates joined the pair in front of the most supporters to ever attend a tennis match, totalling 51,954, along with Rugby World Cup hero Siya Kolisi and comedian Trevor Noah.
Played for the Roger Federer Foundation, the Match For Africa event raised an amazing £2.7million for charity.
It also completed something of a personal mission for the Swiss star, whose mother was born in South Africa.
And it surpassed the world record he set only three months ago when partaking in an exhibition event with Alexander Zverev in Mexico City, watched by 42,517 people.
On the night, Federer beat Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
Speaking of the competitive clashes, he remarked afterwards: “I think the people wanted to see us play proper tennis and not just be clowns.
“It was such a privilege to be here tonight. Of course, we wanted to try and play the best tennis we can, that’s what we are world-famous for.
“It was an absolute pleasure to share the court with Rafa again, but the first time here in beautiful Cape Town in South Africa means so much more.
“It really is very special on so many levels.
“This is more than just tennis and I really hope we can do it again, that Rafa can do it again one day by coming back to this beautiful country. I’m so proud to have roots here.”
A doubles match featuring Gates with Federer and Nadal paired with Johannesburg-born comedian Noah ended 6-3 in the tech giant’s favour.
It was a far cry from the pair’s first meeting in the 2004 Miami Open last-32, which the Spaniard won in straight sets.
Since then, they have faced off in 24 finals – of which Federer has won only ten.
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Nadal told the crowd: “I don’t think we can describe our feelings.
“It has been a lifetime experience playing in front of such an amazing crowd in an amazing stadium.
“It is not my first time playing in South Africa, I played here when I was a kid. But it is my first time as a professional player. It has been a big pleasure to be a part of it.”
