Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray led an all-star cast of ATP World Tour players who played exhibition matches at the Rome Masters on last weekend to raise funds for FedeLux.
Fedelux is a leukemia foundation established in the memory of former player Federico Luzzi, who died of the disease last year aged 28 last year.Tommy Robredo, Marat Safin, Potito Starace, Andreas Seppi, Simone Bolelli and Filippo Volandri also took part in the exhibition, which was attended by Luzzi’s parents Maurizio and Paola.
Most of the players wore shirts with an image of Luzzi.Federer said, “It was a nice match for me to play, knowing that Federico is up above watching us, having his parents here.”
Djokovic said, “We played in his honour and for the foundation that his family has created to fight against leukemia. It was very emotional for all of us who knew him. He was a very positive guy and I always remember him with a smile on his face.”
(Via ATP, Images via Forty Deuce)
Italian hottie Filippo Volandri’s 3-month ban for using an asthma drug has been lifted after he appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The Switzerland-based court also ruled that Volandri will be restored the ATP points and earnings he lost, the Italian tennis federation said yesterday. The only punishment that will remain will be the elimination of Volandri’s points and earnings at a tournament a year ago in Indian Wells, Calif., where he lost in the first round and failed a doping test. Volandri was suspended by the International Tennis Federation on the eve of the Australian Open in January. The ban was due to expire on April 14. “The nightmare is over,” Volandri said.
“CAS recognized my good faith. I used the drug only for therapeutic needs and the ban was excessive.”
Volandri claimed he had a severe asthma attack the night before his match in Indian Wells and was forced to take more of the drug, salbutamol, than the allowed amount. “Finally I can start playing again,” he said.
“I didn’t skip one day of training.”
Volandri indicated he will sue the ITF. “Someone made a mistake and will pay for it,” he said.
Under the initial ruling by the ITF, all of Volandri’s results from March 13 onward were voided, including about $166,000 in prize money won and ATP points gained over a nine-month period. Volandri said he would ask the ATP to restore his ranking and that he would aim to play in the French Open. “It should just be a formality,” Volandri said.
“If not, I’ll roll my sleeves up and start over with the smaller tournaments."
He's already planning to play in Monza next week.
(Via AP, Image via Filippo Volandri's official website)
Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray led an all-star cast of ATP World Tour players who played exhibition matches at the Rome Masters on last weekend to raise funds for FedeLux.
Most of the players wore shirts with an image of Luzzi.
