On Saturday night, the ATP came together with Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity to host the 2012 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals Gala at the historic Royal Courts of Justice in London.
The Barclays ATP World Tour Finals contenders who are already in London, including Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, featured in a spectacular fundraising evening. Generously supported by Moët & Chandon, the event benefitted one of the most recognised and respected charities in the UK, as they raise money for a new respiratory ward at the hospital.
"We do a lot [of charity work] throughout the year by ourselves for our own charities,” said Federer in an on-stage presentation of the players. “Obviously, it's great to be all together, in one place, for one cause, and that's the Great Ormond Street Hospital tonight. I'm happy that we're hopefully going to be able to raise a lot of money for the many kids that need it. I'm very thrilled and I hope we can raise a lot of money.”
Leander Paes, who will partner Radek Stepanek in the doubles competition, commented, "I'd really like to congratulate the ATP for doing such a great job supporting the Great Ormond Street Hospital charity. For us athletes it's a very, very important stage, not just to entertain you, not just to motivate the young children, but to really do good work in our community and give back to our community."
The evening was hosted by Sky Sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher and former tennis player Dan Lobb. After the presentation of the players, dinner was served to the guests before live entertainment from British R&B singer/songwriter Lemar and DJ Emma B.
British No. 1 and US Open champion Andy Murray raised the biggest cheer of the night, and joked that the rich support he has received in recent months came as a result of the Wimbledon final trophy presentation. “It's this guy's fault. He made me cry!” he declared, gesturing at Federer, whom he lost to in the final of The Championships. The Scot then went onto win Olympic gold and his first major championship at the US Open.
“The support changed a little bit after that,” said Murray. “I can thank [Federer] for that. The last few months have been unbelievable; I hope I can finish it off well. I didn't get to finish the tournament as I would have liked last year, so I'm going to give it 110 per cent to try and finish the season well. "
World No. 2 Novak Djokovic remarked, “It's been a great season for all these players. There have been four different Grand Slam winners for the first time in a very long time. So we are in some very interesting times in men's tennis. Being at the [Barclays ATP] World Tour Finals is an incredible moment and I'm sure all of us here will try to perform our best here at the last event of the year."
Throughout the evening, a silent auction took place, which drew bids from the likes of Wimbledon doubles champion Frederik Nielsen, doubles alternates Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins, and tournament managerChris Kermode.
Guests had the opportunity to bid on lots such as a tennis coaching clinic given by a Top 10 doubles team, a signed Wimbledon t-shirt, an acoustic guitar signed by Ed Sheeran, a Nile cruise, tickets to see a production at The Old Vic and a signed cricket bat from Surrey County Cricket Club.
Two guests also donated £7,500 each to have their photos taken with the seven singles players in attendance.
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