Kuerten, Djokovic, Medvedev and more rally to benefit Brazil flood victims
Doubles player Marcelo Demoliner is organizing a live auction that will benefit three charities and help those affected by the unprecedented floods in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in his home state. The highlight of the auction, which takes place on Tuesday, June 25 at 6:30 pm EDT, is a special item with Gustavo Kuerten. The clothes of Novak Djokovic, Juan Martin Del Potro, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud will also be sold.
In the past month and a half, Brazil has experienced heavy rains, which have displaced hundreds of thousands of people and tragically killed nearly 200 people. The 35-year-old Demoliner lends a hand in his country’s time of need. A native of Caxias do Sul, who also reached number 34 in the PIF ATP Doubles Rankings, Demoliner is working with hometown club Recreio da Juventude and auctioneer Cristiano Escola Leilões to organize the event.
Three-time Roland Garros champion Kuerten, one of 29 men to reach World No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings, offers a private tour of his Florianopolis museum and personal, trophy-filled collection. The top applicant will meet with Kuerten to hear stories and get behind-the-scenes insights into his successful career.
“Guga, our biggest idol, has given us the experience of having an afternoon with him and he will show his museum, his trophies to the person who will buy this experience,” Demoliner told ATPTour.com excitedly. “To me, it’s one of the biggest things we have. Imagine having an afternoon with your idol. To me this is crazy.”
Fans can log on to the Cristiano Escola Leilões website to view the item catalog and start bidding. The auction will be broadcast live on the YouTube channel of Recreio da Juventude, Tuesday June 25 at 6:30 pm EDT.
Click Here to Watch the Charity Auction, Live on 25th June
Select items from Top 10 stars Djokovic, Medvedev, Rublev and Ruud will be up for sale, with used racquets, shoes and kits set to hit the bidding table. WTA star Aryna Sabalenka will have equipment from the 2023 US Open final up for auction. Other things will come from Brazilians including Demoliner, Thomaz Bellucci, Joao Fonseca, Beatriz Haddad Maia, Rafael Matos, Fernando Meligeni, Marcelo Melo and Thiago Monteiro.
“I was competing and following all the news with a heavy heart,” said Demoliner, a five-time ATP Tour champion. “I wanted to help my country and use my platform as a professional athlete to make a difference. We began to network in the world of tennis and sports, and many athletes embraced the cause. We are very determined to make this charity auction a success to help rebuild the lives of families affected by the floods.”
Athletes and teams from other sports will also donate items. World diving champion Felipe Toledo donated an autographed uniform. Football teams Corinthians, Flamengo, Atlético Mineiro, and São Paulo have sent jerseys signed by their players to the auction.
The three institutions that will benefit from the auction are Operação de Volta Para Casa (Operation Back to My Home), Rotary Brazil and WimBelenDon. All profits will be directed to the reconstruction of Rio Grande do Sul.
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About charities:
Operação de Volta Para Casa registers families directly affected by the floods and ensures the accuracy of the information provided. The organization then provides essential materials to ensure safety and efficiency in housing reconstruction.
Rotary Brazil has provided humanitarian aid for over 110 years. Rotary’s activities include fighting disease, providing clean water and sanitation and protecting the environment. A group of volunteers come together to take action and create lasting change for themselves, their communities and the world.
WimBelenDon a social project aimed at promoting the inclusion of children and youth in vulnerable situations or social risks, promoting their holistic development, and promoting their agency. Tennis serves as a great attraction to engage and retain students, but it is also linked to a much richer and broader mission, which includes social, educational and cultural workshops, promoting individual and social change.
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