(VIDEO) Nadal and Swiatek lead US Open charity event for Ukraine including 'tweener clinic'

The top-ranked participating players in the charity event were Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek and they put on a show.

The stands were full, the charity was a proper success with many of the best tennis players attending it. It was not without controversy as Azarenka was dropped from the event on the day of the event after harsh criticism from Ukrainian active players Kostyuk and Tsurenko.

Nadal commented on the occasion:

“[It has been a] very tough couple of years in terms of [the] pandemic, now with the war. Excited to be back of course, always a pleasure to play in New York and in front of probably the best crowd of the world.”

The ceremony featured notable former player Stakhovsky who participated in the opening ceremony after which the Ukraine national anthem was played. Taking the court next were Nadal, Swiatek, Gauff and John McEnroe for a doubles match. Gauff was happy to aid the cause:

“Being on the court with John, Rafa and Iga, World No. 1, it’s really crazy here in New York. I’m happy that I’m able to do it for this cause and you guys all know me, I like to speak out when it’s right. I’m glad that I was able to be a part of this.”

A lot of other players took part in it as well such as Jessica Pegula, Ben Shelton, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Leylah Fernandez, Matteo Berrettini, Katarina Zavatska, Maria Sakkari, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Carlos Alcaraz, Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Dayana Yastremska, Sebastian Korda and Daria Snigur.