March 13, 2010
Duos of Roger Federer/Pete Sampras and Justine Henin/Martina Navratilova
win matches
By Drew Schmenner
The anticipation was palpable Friday night.
Lines snaked around the bustling Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Fans understood they were going to witness something unprecedented at the sold-out Hit for Haiti benefit exhibition.
The sport's most accomplished stars came together to raise money and awareness for Haitians devastated by a Jan. 12 earthquake, which killed
approximately 230,000 people and left 1 million homeless.
Larry Ellison, owner of the BNP Paribas Open and CEO of Oracle, organized the event and presented the American Red Cross with a check for $1 million. The evening also featured two doubles matches with a group of players who have won a total of 94 Grand Slam titles.
Martina Navratilova and Justine Henin defeated Lindsay Davenport and Steffi Graf 8-6, followed by Roger Federer and Pete Sampras defeating Rafael Nadal and Andre Agassi 8-6.
But tennis was merely a vehicle for a greater mission Friday night: Raising money for the American Red Cross to aid thousands of earthquake victims.
Federer, who organized a similar benefit at the Australian Open in January, put the evening in perspective.
"I'm in this fortunate position that I can help in a big way, and I'm very happy to do so," Federer said."Every human who has an opportunity should give maybe something back. If it's time, if it's money, or if it's inspiring others, I think it's really important because the majority of the world does live in poor conditions."
The event was especially poignant for Kim Butler, 61, and Carolyn Gibbons, 59. The Salt Lake City residents have volunteered in Haiti with the Healing Hands for Haiti Foundation, which provides medical and physical rehabilitation services for Haitians with disabilities.
The two have traveled with the foundation to urban clinics and rural villages, where hundreds of Haitians waited for medical care. They hope to return in October.
Butler was relaxing on a cruise ship in the Panama Canal when the earthquake struck Haiti. She immediately worried about the foundation's headquarters based in Port-au-Prince. Many buildings were destroyed, but Butler was relieved to learn that no staff members died.
Butler and Gibbons, wearing T-shirts from the foundation, were sitting four rows away from their favorite players.
Butler is the more enthusiastic tennis fan. She has come to the BNP Paribas Open for 20 years, but this event had touched her unlike any other match.
"It's indescribable to me," Butler said.
She was happy when Hit for Haiti was announced, but she was ecstatic when the women were added.
Butler adores Graf, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, and she knows that Graf rarely appears on the tennis court anymore.
"To have her do this for Haiti is just so meaningful to me because it's something that I love so much," said Butler as she touched her heart.