Sportsmen help Australia flood victims, Federer to organize exhibition match

Sportsmen around the world are doing what they can to raise funds to help the victims of flooding in Queensland, Australia. The flood, which has caused billions of dollars worth of damage, has affected more than 200,000 people.

Tennis ace Roger Federer, who is in Melbourne, Australia, preparing for the Australian open, is hoping to organize a charity exhibition match on Sunday.

Federer had organized charity exhibition matches last year, in which Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams were amongst those who took part, in order to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake.

Federer said in his Facebook page, The floods here in Australia are devastating! I am on my way to practise now and am going to speak with Tennis Australia to see if we perhaps can organize something on Sunday to help raise some funds for the people of Queensland who have been affected. Stay tuned as it would be great if the sport of tennis can help out right before the Australian Open begins.

American Tennis star Andy Roddick who had pledged $100 for every ace he served at the Brisbane International, doubled the tally and donated $10,800 after losing the final to Robin Soderling.

Australian Sam Stosur, who is from Queensland, offered the same while the ATP and WTA professional tours are expected to donate $40,000 with their pledge of $100 for every ace in three tournaments including the Australian Open.

Cricketer's also contributed with the England and Australian teams soliciting donations from the crowd at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday where they play their first T20 match while also planning to donate part of their match fees to the Queensland Premier's Flood Relief appeal.

England bowler Graeme Swann said, It is important that we do something, those people need as much help as possible. It's a terrible time and each day it seems to get worse and worse.

England batsman Kevin Pietersen announced that he would proceed the funds from an auction in which he would sell one of the shirts he wore in England's Ashes series win, along with a bat and two tickets to a one-day international.