A charity match initiated by Federer to raise money for Haiti earthquake victims has raised more than $600,000, said Tennis Canada head Geoff Pollard.
The Jan. 12 earthquake that has killed at least 150,000 in Haiti struck three days before the start of the Australian Open.
Story continues below ↓advertisement | your ad hereFederer organized a mixed-doubles fundraiser on the eve of the Open that featured some of tennis' top stars, wearing microphones on court and providing comedic commentary as they played.
Among them were Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Kim Clijsters and Lleyton Hewitt.
The match at the Rod Laver Arena raised about $125,000, with seats priced to sell at just under $10.
Donations poured in after that: the ATP Tour, the WTA Tour and the International Tennis Federation contributed a combined $265,000; the Grand Slam Committee gave $177,000, Pollard told the crowd on center court after Federer won his 16th Grand Slam final.
Federer beat Andy Murray 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (11), to win his 16th Grand Slam title and his fourth Australian Open.
Players have also donated rackets that are being auctioned on eBay and have raised almost $40,000.
"Haiti is a tragedy that has touched the hearts of the world," Tennis Australia CEO Steve Wood said in the statement. "The tennis community just wanted to help."
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