This multiple exposure image shows Switzerland’s Roger Federer (L) and Spain’s Rafael Nadal preparing to serve during their singles final tennis match, on the last day of the ATP World Tour Finals, at the O2, in south-east London on November 28, 2010. AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK
The Match in Africa: Federer vs Nadal – as it happened
Get live updates from the Match in Africa between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as the contest unfolds at the Cape Town Stadium.
This multiple exposure image shows Switzerland’s Roger Federer (L) and Spain’s Rafael Nadal preparing to serve during their singles final tennis match, on the last day of the ATP World Tour Finals, at the O2, in south-east London on November 28, 2010. AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK
Record-breaking Swiss phenomenon Roger Federer will play his first-ever match in Sub Saharan Africa in Cape Town on Friday, February 7, 2020 against long-time rival Rafael Nadal.
The Match in Africa – Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal
The sixth edition of the Match for Africa is also the very first edition of the Match in Africa as Federer brings Nadal with him to the Cape Town Stadium for a one-night only exhibition match.
48,000 tickets have been sold for the event which sees the Cape Town Stadium attempt to break the world record for the most spectators to watch a tennis match.
As a curtain raiser fans will be treated to a celebrity- pro doubles match with Bill Gates and Trevor Noah partnering Federer and Nadal respectively.
“This Match in Africa is a dream come true,” said Federer when the event was first announced. “I will play in my mother’s home country against my toughest rival and friend Rafa Nadal. We share not only the love for tennis but also for the good cause of giving children a better start in education and in life. I feel privileged to have other leading philanthropists on board to entertain millions of people in the stadium and on TV. It will be a once-in-a lifetime moment for my family and I.”
Nadal was also looking forward to making his first ever visit to South Africa.
“Roger and I have shared so many magical moments on and off the court. Travelling with him to Cape Town and playing for the benefit of children is something I am very excited about. It will be my first time in the region with Roger as a tour guide – that will be fun.”
Watch: Federer and Nadal warm-up for their tennis match in Cape Town
Federer and Nadal are the only pair of men to have finished six consecutive calendar years as the top two ranked players on the ATP Tour, which they did from 2005 to 2010 and seven times overall, including 2017. This includes a record 211 consecutive weeks sharing the top two rankings from July 2005 to August 2009.
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