[imagesource: Phando Jikelo/African News Agency (ANA)]

On Friday night, Cape Town Stadium set a new Guinness World Record by gathering 51 954 tennis fans to attend a tennis match.

(The South Africans in attendance are now world champions and world record holders – what a lovely double act.)

Many of those fans had flown in from across the country, or further afield, and it was clear that even Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal were impressed by the size of the crowd.

Fans had to wait quite a while before the main event kicked off, with a doubles match featuring ‘Gateserer’ (that’s Roger and Bill Gates) taking on Rafa and Trevor Noah, and a seemingly endless series of interviews, to watch first.

Let’s start with highlights from the doubles match:

I feel like Bill was very economical with his movements, which is something Trevor may consider for future matches, given how his microphone picked up what one might call wheezing.

After a break to get freshened up, the two main attractions returned to the court for their singles showdown:

I’m sure it was a night that all of those in attendance will never forget.

As for Roger’s charity, he was delighted with the end result, reports the ATP Tour:

…the real winners were those who will benefit from what Federer announced on social media was more than $3 million in funds raised on the evening.

“It was such a privilege to be here tonight. Of course we want to try to play the best tennis we can, that’s what we’re world-famous for. It was an absolute pleasure to share the court with Rafa again, but the first time here in beautiful Cape Town in South Africa means so much more. It really is very, very special on so many levels,” Federer said on court after the match.

…The more than $3 million will go towards the Roger Federer Foundation, which has been actively helping kids get off to a good start in their educational journeys for more than 16 years.

“It’s great for tennis, it’s great for charity, it’s great to inspire and motivate kids and other people to do good and he’s a kind man, Rafa,” Federer said. “You were kind enough to come here tonight. So did Bill, so did Trevor, and it was a magical evening. Thank you so, so much.”

Roger might have beaten Rafa in the three-setter, but there were no real losers on the night.

Great work, Cape Town.

[source:atptour]