Bryan brothers to raise funds for Svitolina's Ukraine aid
Bob and Mike Bryan, the most successful men's doubles team
in tennis, said on Thursday they will raise funds at this month's Indian Wells
tournament to support Elina Svitolina's drive to provide humanitarian aid to
Ukrainian refugees.
Former world number three Svitolina is trying to unite the
tennis world behind her country following Russia's invasion and said she would
donate her prize money from the ongoing Monterrey Open in Mexico to the
Ukrainian army.
The Bryan twins said they will launch a 'Racquets for
Refugees' auction, which will feature tennis racquets autographed and donated
by current and former tennis players, during the ATP and WTA event at Indian
Wells, California.
"We are all heartbroken to see the tragedy unfold in
Ukraine," Bob Bryan said in a statement. "Children should be on
playgrounds and tennis courts not in bomb shelters and trains fleeing their
homes.
"The tennis world is a close-knit family, and I am
confident that when we kick off the auction on March 8 we will have an amazing
level of support from players."
The Bryans captured a professional era record 119 titles
together, including 16 Grand Slams, 39 ATP Masters 1000s and the ATP Finals
title four times. The Californian pair were the top-ranked doubles team in the
world for 438 weeks.
The main draw of the Indian Wells tournament begins with the
women's matches on March 9 and ATP action on March 10, and wraps up on March
20.
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