Tennis World Champions in Action for Fund Raising for Chile Earthquake Relief

A charity doubles match at the Sony Ericsson on Key Biscayne Saturday, raised $125,000 to benefit Chilean earthquake victims.

In a possibly unprecedented gesture, Mens singles finalist Andy Roddick put aside his title ambitions to play alongside Fernando Gonzalez of Chile, organizer or the event, and retired champions Jim Courier and Gustavo Kuerten.

"My people will always thank you for this," Gonzalez said after the game, which was won by the American duo, Roddick and Courier. Gonzalez, who is a superstar in Chile and is ranked 9th in the world, had special praise for Roddick's generosity in dedicating his time and effort to Chile on a day most players would normally spend preparing mentally and physically for the final.

"He's great person," said Gonzalez. "It shows there's more important things than tennis, and I think he feels that way. I hope he wins the tournament. He really deserves it."

He also thanked Kuerten for flying in especially for the event from Brazil, and Courier, who came down from New York.
"I thank all of you for coming out today," Roddick told the crowd, before running off to prepare for Sunday's match against Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic. Roddick described how he was personally inspired by Gonzalez's decision to forego an important tennis tournament after the magnitude 8.8 earthquake hit Chile in late February, to travel home and help out. "Flying home and trying to lift the spirits by traveling around was a great deed," Roddick said.

After hearing of the disaster, Gonzalez withdrew from the Indian Wells Masters event in California to visit hard hit towns and assist Hogar de Cristo, a Chilean charity that helps provide shelter for the homeless. Courier and Kuerten are also known for their charity work. Courier noted he has visited Chile a couple of times. "It's a beautiful country and a beautiful people. Hopefully things will get better there soon. Tennis is one big family and at a time of crisis like this we have a stage. It would be inconceivable to say no."

A good crowd turned out for the match under sunny later-afternoon skies, some carrying Chilean flags.

"It's wonderful they organized this," said Lermy Vásquez, a Chilean-born travel arranger who lives in Miami. "We need this to help reconstruct our country. Every little bit that helps is important."

Chileans Roberto and Cecilia Rischmaui brought there son and daughter to support Gonzalez's initiative. "There are two million people with no houses and they need help," said Roberto. "It's wonderful what he has done."

Chileans Ricardo Olmos and his wife Paz Aguirre drove down from West Palm Beach for the event. "All our family is in Chile. Thank God they are all fine. But we have friends who lost everything."

The players made it an entertaining game wearing mikes and showing off their close net play as well as between the legs shots (Roddick managed to hit one for a winner). At one point Courier and Kuerten switched sides, and the ball boys and girls were also handed the rackets for a few points.

After hitting one ball in the net, Roddick joked, "I'm saving all the good ones for tomorrow." He also practiced his Spanish for the largely South American crowd. "Mi gato esta en fuego," he said, prompting umpire, Mary Jo Fernandez, to remark, "That sounds dangerous."