Rod Laver backs tennis Rally for Relief

Written by: Staff on 16th January 2011

Rod Laver backs tennis Rally for Relief

Please donate to the flood appeal: www.qld.gov.au/floods While I am not directly affected by the flood myself, as a freelance designer most my clients have and I am left without work. If you want to license any of these photos commercially, please contact me. You are still free to use the photos for non-commercial purposes, but if you can, please consider making a PayPal donation to erikveland@gmail.com so I can continue to eat and pay my rent. In return I contribute shelter and power to those in need around me. If you are affected by the floods and need space or power, please also contact me. Best regards, Erik K Veland _________________________________ Great Brisbane flood of 2011. Contact erik@erikveland.com for licensing. |

Tomorrow’s historic Rally for Relief fundraiser at Melbourne Park has drawn plaudits from tennis legend Rod Laver.

“I have been moved by what I have seen not only in my home town (Rockhampton) but across Queensland and Australia,” Laver said from his home in the United States. “This is a tragedy of international proportions and it is devastating to see so many families who now have nowhere to go.

“I think it is great that the tennis family is coming together and raising money for the flood ravaged communities. My thoughts are with you all and it makes me proud as an Australian to see how everyone pitches in during a time of crisis like this.”

Rally for Relief will feature the biggest names in the sport including Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Kim Clijsters, Sam Stosur, Lleyton Hewitt, Justine Henin, Caroline Wozniacki, Novak Djokovic, Pat Rafter, Ana Ivanovic, Andy Murray, Andy Roddick, Vera Zvonareva, Victoria Azarenka and Jim Courier.

This growing list of tennis elite includes ten Grand Slam champions and 11 current or former No.1’s, with all putting aside their Australian Open preparations and joining forces to raise money for the victims of the flood disaster in Queensland and across Australia.

Rally for Relief at Rod Laver Arena sold out within a matter of hours, but fans wanting to watch the who’s who of tennis in action and help raise funds can still buy a $10 ticket to Melbourne Park’s Garden Square to watch all the action from centre court live on the big screen.

With Australian Open qualifying action taking place on the outside courts, gates to Melbourne Park will open at 9.30am. Doors to Rod Laver Arena will open at 12.30pm.

Performer Anthony Callea has also put his hand up to be part of the Rally for Relief effort and will perform live for the crowd in Garden Square from 1.00pm.

Rally for Relief is just one of the many fundraising efforts running throughout Australian Open 2011.

The relief effort includes:

· Rally for Relief exhibition on Rod Laver Arena and ground pass sales for Garden Square

· Gold coin donation at Saturday’s Kids Tennis Day

· The Shirt off their backs ongoing auction of autographed player apparel from players competing on Rod Laver Arena throughout the 14 days of the Australian Open

An ATP and WTA pledge of $10 for every ace served by players at the Brisbane International, Medibank International Sydney, Moorilla International in Hobart and the Australian Open

· Individual player donations

All proceeds will go to flood relief across the nation.

Topics: Ana Ivanovic, Andy Murray, Andy Roddick, Caroline Wozniacki, Jim Courier, Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters, Lleyton Hewitt, Novak Djokovic, Pat Rafter, Rafael Nadal, Rod Laver, Roger Federer, Sam Stosur, Vera Zvonareva, Victoria Azarenka