Photo: YouTube/TheEllenShow
Watch: Trevor Noah trained with professionals to play against Federer [video]
SA’s Trevor Noah recently sat down with Ellen DeGeneres to talk about his training in the lead up to his match against Roger Federer in Cape Town.
Photo: YouTube/TheEllenShow
Trevor Noah recently sat down with Ellen DeGeneres to talk about his training for the Match in Africa event.
The South African comedian and The Daily Show host was one of the four key players for the Match in Africa event held in Cape Town on 7 February 2020 where tennis legends Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates came together all in the name of charity.
Trevor’s hilarious tennis training
Trevor said that he received tennis training before the event, telling everyone that he had never played the game before.
“People think tennis is easy…I could not hit the ball to where I was trying to hit the ball…and then I panicked.”
Trevor only had two months to prepare for the game and decided to call in some help.
“It’s one of the craziest things I’ve ever done in my life.”
He says the tennis coach initially thought he was somewhat of a tennis player with a bit of experience. Apparently he did not know how to coach Trevor at the end of the day…
Watch: This is how Trevor prepared for the Match in Africa event
Breaking Records
Federer later took the time to share a video featuring some of the highlights of the match. It is here where match organisers confirmed the crowd of 51 954 broke the world record attendance figure for a tennis match set in November 2019 – then Federer beat Germany’s Alexander Zverev in Mexico City in front of 42 517 fans.
Also watch: Federer and Nadal warm-up for their tennis match in Cape Town
The Cape Town even also raised $3.5 million (R52 664 500) for the 20-Grand Slam champion’s Roger Federer Foundation.
“It was a magical evening,” Federer, who came to South Africa regularly on childhood vacations with his family but hadn’t been to Cape Town in 20 years, said further.
“Match in Africa for me has been a magical experience. This was the sixth one. I’ve played against my rivals, my friends and all for a good cause to raise funds for the Roger Federer Foundation…you’re supporting me and I can’t thank you enough,” Federer said.
