ROGER FEDERER and wife Mirka have joined the fight against coronavirus by donating £860,000 in order to help the most vulnerable families in Switzerland.
As of Tuesday night, there had been a reported 9,000 positive tests and 86 deaths in the European nation.
And tennis legend Federer, 38, has decided to do something to help – joining a host of sporting stars, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Federer said: “These are challenging times for everyone and nobody should be left behind.
“Mirka and I have personally decided to donate one million Swiss Francs for the most vulnerable families in Switzerland.
“Our contribution is just a start. We hope that others might join in supporting more families in need.
“Together we can overcome this crisis. Stay healthy.”
PRIVILEGED FED
Federer has won 20 Grand Slam titles in his glittering career – the most in men’s history and has been at the top of the sport for two decades.
And the eight-time Wimbledon champion admitted this week he knows he is very privileged – and he’s now put his power to good use.
Federer claimed: “Thinking back on how it used to be, you have a dream and a hope that one day you’ll become a top-100 player and maybe play on some of the big courts.
“Next thing you know, it’s normal to play on centre court, it’s normal to play in front of 15,000 people.
“Sometimes, you tend to forget what a privilege that is; I feel like I never did forget. I enjoyed every single time it does happen and I try to enjoy it as much as I can.
“The original mindset in Switzerland is, of course, education always goes first.
“That was the same that my parents also taught me, but I do believe it’s starting to happen more and more that people actually believe that also sports can be a future and a career and a path.
“I hope that through what I do on a tennis court that I show them, maybe also I lead the way a little bit.”
