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When Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal shattered tennis attendance records at 'The Match In Africa'

Four years ago in South Africa, the longtime rivals played a friendly exhibition match to raise more than $3 million for childhood education—and set a new world record in the process.

ByStephanie Livaudais

Published Feb 09, 2024

Four years ago in South Africa, longtime rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal played a friendly exhibition match to raise more than $3 million for early childhood education—and ended up setting a new world record in the process.

The Match for Africa was a series of exhibition matches organized by Federer to raise money for his eponymous foundation, which works to fund schooling, transport and food for six southern African countries, including South Africa—the birth country of Federer’s mother.

While the first edition of the match launched in Zurich with a hilariously viral promo video—remember when Federer couldn’t stop laughing as Nadal struggled with his lines in English?—but when the Swiss finally took the match to Africa, it became a major event.

“It was an absolute pleasure to share the court with Rafa again, but the first time here in beautiful Cape Town in South Africa,” Federer said afterward. “It means so much more, and it really is very, very special on so many levels.”

“We tried our best as always,” Nadal said. “It’s a lifetime experience playing in front of such an amazing crowd in an amazing stadium. It was a big pleasure for me to be part of it.”

Check out the best photos from The Match In Africa, which took place on February 7, 2020 in Cape Town:

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The sixth edition, called “The Match In Africa”, took place in Cape Town and featured Federer and Bill Gates facing Nadal and Trevor Noah (pictured).

Held at the Cape Town Stadium, The Match In Africa drew 51,954 spectators—the highest attendance ever recorded at a tennis match.

After Federer and American billionaire Gates defeated Nadal and Noah, host of The Daily Show, with a 6-3 set, it was time for singles.

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Federer and Nadal treated the sellout crowd to quite a show before the Swiss player clinched a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory.

The match raised $3.5 million for early childhood education in six southern African countries, including South Africa—the birth country of Federer’s mother.

Federer and co. smashed their $1 million fundraising goal, and broke the previous 42,517 attendance record set by Federer and Alexander Zverev the year before in a Mexico City exhibition match.

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“We tried our best as always,” Nadal said. “It’s a lifetime experience playing in front of such an amazing crowd in an amazing stadium. It was a big pleasure for me to be part of it.”

“It was an absolute pleasure to share the court with Rafa again, but the first time here in beautiful Cape Town in South Africa,” Federer said. “It means so much more and it really is very, very special on so many levels.”

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