Proud to be on Team Fed. We’re ready for you, @SavannahGuthrie and @JackSock – Photo by @BillGates via Twitter.

Federer teams up with Sock and celebrities to raise $2.5 million in Match for Africa 5

By Ricky Dimon

A busy week that includes the beginning of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells began with a bang on Monday night at the SAP Center in San Jose. That is where Roger Federer hosted the Match for Africa 5, a charity exhibition for the Roger Federer Foundation–this time with special guests Jack Sock, Bill Gates, and Savannah Guthrie.

It started with a doubles match featuring Federer and Gates (Microsoft founder and chairman) going up against Sock (currently the top-ranked American on tour) and Guthrie (host of NBC’s Today Show). Federer and Gates took the set 6-3 for their second consecutive doubles win in the Match for Africa.

“I think I’m good at picking partners,” Gates said during an on-court interview.

The nightcap was a singles showdown between Federer and Sock, which the 36-year-old Swiss won 7-6(9), 6-4. It saw a fair share of dazzling tennis shots but for the most part was low on seriousness and high on shenanigans. For example, Federer converted match point when Sock hit between-the-legs shot into the net.

Most importantly, the Match for Africa 5 raised $2.5 million for Federer’s foundation.

“I don’t use this as a preparation for [Indian Wells],” Federer assured. “I see it very isolated as just doing good. We just raised over $10 million, all the Matches for Africa that we did. That’s more than $2 million on average that we’ve done, which is phenomenal. That’s what I see. This is about lighting it up for the crowd and making them leave the arena really happy.

“It was a good [crowd],” the world No. 1 added, referencing the 15,000 who packed into the arena. “I really enjoyed myself. The crowd’s great because you’re always a bit anxious to find out if they’re happy to see you. Are they excited about tennis? What is it going to be like? It’s not like Wimbledon where you know how the crowd is going to be. I felt they were wonderful. I had a great time.”

“This match for Africa is something extraordinary,” Sock concluded.