Tennis stars at Australian Open hold special exhibition event for Haiti victims

Tennis stars hold fundraiser for Haiti victims

MELBOURNE, Australia — Roger Federer and other tennis stars raised more than $185,000 to benefit Haiti earthquake victims by holding a fundraising match on the eve of the Australian Open.

Federer helped organize the event Sunday dubbed “Hit for Haiti.”

The 15-time Grand Slam winner was joined at Rod Laver Arena by reigning Australian Open champions Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams, 2008 winner Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick, U.S. Open women’s champion Kim Clijsters and Australians Lleyton Hewitt and Samantha Stosur.

The admission price was about $10 and the 15,000-seat stadium filled to capacity for the exhibition. All the players wore microphones on the court, adding to the entertainment.