Roger Federer’s Match for Africa 5. San Jose, California

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Announcer. Andy Taylor. Match for Africa 5

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Match for Africa 5 raises over $2.5 million for the Roger Federer Foundation

On a Monday night in San Jose, Roger Federer and friends raised over $2.5-million to support the Roger Federer Foundation’s continuing efforts to improve early childhood education in six African nations.

Before Match for Africa 5, the Foundation’s tireless efforts had raised over $36-million, giving 870,000 kids access to quality education. After his thrilling 76(9) 64 exhibition victory over World #10 Jack Sock, Roger said: “We would like to reach a million kids by the end of the year, and with this match tonight, I think I can confidently say we’re going to do it. A million kids……that’s bigger than the city I grew up in. It’s wonderful to see the impact you can have.”

He went on: “I’m going to make you a big promise. With all the money that’s been raised, I’m going to try my very best to make sure it all gets where it belongs – that the kids get their quality education – that the teachers are better educated……Not only did you come and support Jack and myself, Savannah and Bill, but also a great cause. Thank you everybody!”

And what a special night it was

The evening opened with a celebrity doubles match featuring the team of Savannah Guthrie and Jack Sock versus the defending Match for Africa champions, Bill Gates and Roger Federer. After falling behind 0-5 in the single-set affair, Jack and Savannah put four games on the board to make it a respectable 6-4 title defense for Roger and Bill. The lighthearted set was packed with hilarious moments, including several Savannah whiffs because she couldn’t take her eyes off Federer, her tennis idol.

After the celebrity doubles match, Jack took the World #1 to a nailbiting 9-11 tiebreaker in the first, before falling in two: 67(9) 46. Jack and Roger were just as entertaining during the singles exhibition, both in quality of competition and interaction with fans and each other. The night was bigger than tennis. It was a celebration of sport, philanthropy and authentic global compassion.

From Bill Gates’ blog: Read Roger’s own humble words, describing his Foundation’s humanitarian efforts, and his earnest philanthropic motivation.

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Match for Africa 5. The Participants

Roger Federer. World #1. The Doubles Introduction

Like the finest Merlots in Napa Valley, he simply continues to refine his character with age. Undefeated this year, he earned a record 20th career Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open; then an amazing 97th career title in Rotterdam. And at 36-years-old, he just regained the World #1 ranking, becoming the oldest man in tennis history to ascend to the top of the sport. He’s a Davis Cup Champion, an Olympic Doubles Gold Medalist, a Singles Silver Medalist, and with Team Europe, is the reigning Laver Cup Champion. Through the Roger Federer Foundation and Match for Africa, an astounding 870,000 children have received access to quality education. And tonight, thanks to you, we are that much closer to his goal of reaching 1-million children by the end of 2018. From Basel, Switzerland – Please welcome the #1 Player in the World and greatest to ever play the game, Roger Federer

Roger Federer. World #1. The Singles Introduction

He is the most gifted athlete in the history of the game. Three weeks ago, at 36-years-old, he regained the World #1 ranking for the first time in over 5-years, and became the oldest man in tennis history to ascend to the top of the game. Tonight marks his unprecedented 305th week as the World #1. He owns a record 20 career Grand Slam Singles titles, and is one of only 8 men in history to own the career Grand Slam. In case you need a refresher, they’re comprised of six Australian Open titles in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2017 and 2018. One Roland Garros victory in 2009. Eight Wimbledon Crowns in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 and 2017. Plus five consecutive wins at the US Open in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. He’s an Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist, a Davis Cup Champion, and has captured the year-end ATP Finals a record 6-times in 10-Finals. With Team Europe, he’s the reigning Laver Cup Champion.

Most importantly, his philanthropy knows no bounds. So far, Match for Africa has raised $36-million to support children’s education in six southern African nations. Thanks to your attendance tonight, we are that much closer to reaching his ambitious goal of providing 1-million children with access to a quality education by the end of 2018. From Basel, Switzerland – Please welcome the #1 Player in the World and the greatest to ever play the game, Roger Federer

Jack Sock. World #10. Doubles Introduction

At 25-years-old, his success in doubles is incredible. A Wimbledon Doubles Champion in 2014, he lifted his first Grand Slam trophy after winning the Mixed Doubles title at the 2011 US Open. At the Olympic Games in Rio, he was unstoppable – earning Mixed Doubles Gold with Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Doubles Bronze with partner Steve Johnson. Just last week, he earned his 9th career ATP World Tour Doubles title in Delray Beach. In 2017, he won the biggest Singles title of his career at the Rolex Masters in Paris, cracked the top-10 for the first time, and reached the Semifinals in his ATP Finals debut in London. From Kansas City, Kansas – Please welcome 2-time Grand Slam Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist and the #1 American on tour, Jack Sock

Jack Sock. World #10. Singles Introduction

At 25-years-old, this 2-time Grand Slam Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist is the top-ranked American in the men’s game. He’s won 4 ATP World Tour Singles titles, including three last year alone. In October, he won the biggest Singles title of his career at the Rolex Masters in Paris; and with the victory, cracked the top-10 for the first time. A month later, he qualified for the ATP’s year-end championship, where he reached the Semifinals in his ATP Finals debut. A 2011 US Open Mixed Doubles and 2014 Wimbledon Doubles Champion, he captured Olympic Gold and Bronze at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio; and last week, earned his 9th career Doubles title in Delray Beach. Competing in his first Match for Africa, from Kansas City, Kansas – Please welcome the #10 Player in the World, Jack Sock

Bill Gates Introduction

This legendary champion of software and philanthropy opened your Windows to the world when he founded Microsoft in 1975. Today, he is the co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and his inspiring compassion and commitment to expanding opportunity for the world’s most disadvantaged earns him the humanitarian equivalent of Olympic Gold. A relentless competitor, he is undefeated in doubles competition with his partner, Roger Federer. On the court, his Powerpoint is his ability to Excel at the net, giving he and his partner the Edge on any Surface. His untiring work-ethic and dynamic reflexes are about to transform your Outlook on the game. An amazing Defender, he reduces opponents to half-wit hackers, decoding all-comers with precision and intellect. No stranger to Silicon Valley – Please welcome an athlete known for his World Wide Web of raw tennis talent, Bill Gates.

Savannah Guthrie Introduction

You know her as the co-anchor of NBC’s Today Show and NBC’s chief legal correspondent; but what you don’t know……is that she is un-apologetically the biggest Roger Federer fan on the planet. However, tonight – as her partner Jack keeps reminding her – she’s about to try and take down her tennis idol. As a Magna Cum Laude law graduate from Georgetown University, we definitely expect a few challenges from her during tonight’s match. A proud Mom of two, she’s also a New York Times best selling author, with her children’s book “Princesses Wear Pants.” As you’re about to witness, her finely tuned tennis talent stems from the three Summers she spent……at tennis camp. Just back from the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, where she continued her rigorous training for tonight’s event, she is competing in her first Match for Africa – and is checking another box off the bucket list. From Tucson, Arizona – Please welcome, Savannah Guthrie

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The Match for Africa 5. An Exclusive Clinic

Early March 5th, 2018 – several lucky Match for Africa 5 donors had an opportunity to hit with Roger Federer and friends at a private tennis facility just south of San Francisco. The Voice of the US Open, Andy Taylor tagged along for the clinic, providing Grand Slam introductions for Roger and his special guests. Along with Roger, Jack Sock, Savannah Guthrie and Bill Gates, the lucky donors also met and traded ground-strokes with four other tennis elites……

Paul Goldstein

This 4-time Stanford University All-American is the first player in collegiate history to lift his school to four consecutive NCAA team titles. During his 10-year professional career, he reached career-high rankings of World #58 in Singles and World #40 in Doubles. Now coaching at his Alma Mater, from San Francisco, California – Please welcome Stanford University Men’s Coach, Paul Goldstein

Jared Palmer

Exactly 18-years-ago, this 2-time Grand Slam Doubles Champion became the #1 Doubles Player in the World. A Stanford All-American, he captured the NCAA Singles title as a sophomore. He owns 28 Doubles titles in all, including the 1995 Australian Open and 2001 Wimbledon Championship. The father of three, from Palo Alto and Stockholm – Please welcome 4-time Grand Slam Doubles Finalist and Stanford’s own, Jared Palmer

Coco Gauff

Last Summer, as a Wild Card, this 13-year-old became the youngest Junior Girls Finalist in the history of the US Open. Earlier that year, she won the 12-and-under title at the Orange Bowl, and captured the title at Boca’s Rendezvous a Roland Garros, earning a trip to Paris to compete for a Wild Card into the Junior French Open. Like her idol, Serena Williams, she trains in South Florida. Let’s welcome a true up and coming tennis star, Coco Gauff

Severin Luthi

He is one of Roger Federer’s secret weapons. Since 2007, he’s been the man behind-the-scenes, through thick and thin, helping guide the greatest of all time to 3 year-end championships, Olympic Doubles Gold in Beijing, Olympic Silver in London, and 10 Grand Slam Singles titles. As captain of the Swiss Davis Cup Team, he led Roger and his fellow countrymen to the 2014 Davis Cup title; and last year, was named Swiss National Coach of the Year. Making a rare public appearance this morning – Please welcome the “Secret Weapon,” Severin Luthi