TNT Sports
USTA rallies support
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Published 01/09/2005 at 23:37 GMT+1
The U.S. Tennis Association is to donate $500,000 from U.S. Open proceeds toward the American Red Cross relief effort for the Gulf Coast of the United States devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Special messages from top players will also be aired during tele
Eurosport
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The men's ATP Tour and the women's WTA Tour announced plans to auction players' autographed equipment and apparel donated during the rest of the Open to raise money for relief efforts.
The auction will begin on September 11, the day of the men's singles final, which concludes the major championship.
Players who already have committed to supporting the relief efforts include Andy Roddick, Maria Sharapova, Andre Agassi, Lindsay Davenport, Justine Henin-Hardenne and Amelie Mauresmo.
"It certainly puts in perspective that we're out here hitting tennis balls and playing a game," twice Open champion Agassi said on Thursday.
"It's tough. I don't have to look very far in my life to understand where tennis fits. I have to look as far as my children. But when you see a tragedy like this, it just really puts into perspective how life can turn in an instant."
Federal disaster declarations covered 90,000 square miles (234,000 square kilometers) along the U.S. Gulf Coast, an area roughly the size of Britain. As many as 400,000 people had been forced to leave their homes.
The U.S. Congress is expected to cut short its summer break to pass emergency financial aid for hurricane victims, according to congressional aides, who said an initial package could be about $10 billion.
See also eurosport.com/.co.uk's daily diary piece, by clicking on the link below.
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