29 Jan 2020

Trevor Noah just confirmed he'll partner Nadal against Gates and Federer at the Match in Africa!

Cape Town - Did South African comedian Trevor Noah let the cat out the bag by announcing he'll partner world No 1 Rafael Nadal against billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates and leading Grand Slam winner Roger Federer at next week's Match in Africa in Cape Town?

It appears so!

News that the two legends of the sport - who share no fewer than 39 Grand Slam titles between them - would he heading to the Mother City took the tennis world by storm last year after Federer confirmed the news during an interview with Vogue.

Tickets for the clash at the Cape Town Stadium, built to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup, sold out in a matter of seconds last September, such was the demand to see the duo do battle.

Federer, whose 20 Grand Slams currently leads the way in terms of titles won, will take on his fierce rival Nadal - who boasts 19 Major wins - on Friday, February 7 in a match forming part of Federer's 'Match for Africa' series.

The pair will head straight to South Africa from Melbourne in Australia following the 2020 Australian Open which concludes on Sunday, February 2.

While organisers had confirmed there would be a "curtain raiser" doubles match, the identity of those competing remained under wraps.

Until now.

Wednesday's tweet by Noah to his nearly 10.3 million followers laid down a challenge to Gates and Federer. Noah went on to add that South African fans would be backing the Noah-Nadal pairing - despite Federer's mother having been born in the country,

Gates, 64, who boasts a net worth around the $110 billion (R1.6 trillion) mark, has previously partnered Federer in the Swiss superstar's charity matches around the world.

The level of Noah's tennis isn't well documented, but the Johannesburg-born, New York-based 35-year-old has taken the comedy world by storm in recent years and has seen ratings soar since taking over as host of satirical news programme The Daily Show in late 2015.

Federer has played in five previous charity matches around the world, but the Cape Town clash - billed as 'Match in Africa 6' - will be the first in Africa.

"This Match in Africa is a dream come true," said Federer.

"I will play in my mother’s home country against my toughest rival and friend Rafa Nadal.

"We share not only the love for tennis, but also for the good cause of giving children a better start in education and in life.

"I feel privileged to have other leading philanthropists on board to entertain millions of people in the stadium and on TV. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime moment for my family and I."

Nadal added: "Roger and I have shared so many magical moments on and off the court.

"Travelling with him to Cape Town and playing for the benefit of children is something I am very excited about. It will be my first time in the region with Roger as a tour guide - that will be fun."

Federer has strong ties to South Africa since his mother Lynette Federer (née Durand) was born in Johannesburg.

In their 40 head-to-head matches to date, Nadal holds a 24-16 advantage.

At the time of publishing, both players are still in the draw at the Australian Open and will head to South Africa in red-hot form.

- Compiled by Garrin Lambley

Hey @RogerFederer, you & @billgates want to play doubles against me & @RafaelNadal!? Okay. We accept your challenge, but be prepared for the crowd in SA to be on our side! See you Feb 7 in Cape Town! Masihambe! #MatchInAfrica
— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) January 29, 2020

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