Rafael Nadal, Coco Gauff, John McEnroe, Victoria Azarenka, and Other Tennis Stars to Partake in an Exhibition Match to Raise $2 Million Aid for Ukraine

The US Open, the last Grand slam of the year, is not very far. Meanwhile, the USTA has come up with a plan to hold Exhibition matches, to raise funds for Ukraine. It would include tennis legends, such as Rafael Nadal, John McEnroe and the rising stars, including Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, and Iga Swiatek among others.

Unlike Wimbledon Championships 2022, it will allow players from Russia and Belarus. Earlier, Wimbledon banned them from participating this year. Consequently, the tournament got stripped of the ranking points from ATP and WTA.

Rafael Nadal and others confirmed to participate in the event

As per the reports from the New York Times, the exhibition matches are to be played before the US Open. US Open tournament director said in a statement, that she has reached out to the players of Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine as their participation will give a powerful message of unity. Additionally, they also have got commitments from big players like Coco Gauff, Victoria Azarenka, Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz, Amanda Anisimova, Iga Swiatek, Matteo Berrettini, John McEnroe, and Rafael Nadal.

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Notably, the organizers are planning to raise a minimum of $2M for the Ukraine crisis relief fund.

A big decision from Victoria Azarenka to participate in the exhibition

The former world number 1, Victoria Azarenka, belongs to Belarus. Although she is living in the US for a long time, she has got strong ties to her home nation. The 33-year-old has friendly relations with the Presiden of Belarus, Aleksandr G. Lukashenko.

Azarenka could not participate in the Wimbledon Championships 2022 because of her nationality. She had condemned the decision saying, Wimbledon was “a big opportunity to show how sports can unite.” 

She further added, “I think we missed that opportunity, but I hope we can still show it.”

Apart from Azarenka, World number 8 Andrey Rublev was also critical of Wimbledon’s decision. He even offered to donate his full prize money if allowed to play in the grass-court Grand Slam.

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The US Open will start on the 29th of August. Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev will get an opportunity to defend his title.