21st December, 2010
Roger Federer will return to the desert heat of Dubai to celebrate Christmas with his family after charity exhibitions this week in Europe with Rafael Nadal.
The Swiss world No 2 arrived late on Sunday in snowy Zurich to prepare for the benefit exhibition today in the Hellenstadion against the world No 1 Spaniard. Federer and Nadal will then transfer to Madrid for a similar exhibition on Wednesday in the Spanish capital.
Proceeds from the sold-out “Match for Africa” series will benefit the individual charities of each of the players, with agents and competitors alike foregoing the usual fees.
Federer’s father, Robert, a trustee of the Roger Federer Foundation, which works mainly with underprivileged children in Africa, told Swiss media that he expects to raise around one million dollars (R6,85-million) on the night.
“The goal is to raise money, and we want to offer people a great show,” Roger Federer said upon arrival.
But while Europe shivers under the big freeze, Federer will only stay long enough to perform on court and perhaps buy that last Christmas present for his wife, Mirka, who remained behind at the Federer home in Dubai with the couple’s twin girls.
Federer will have a full schedule during his flying visit to Europe, working with sponsors, signing autographs and training with kids on Tuesday before the evening match with Nadal. He and Nadal will clash again in Abu Dhabi in another exhibition just before the New Year.
