Solidarity: Barty and Rafter play on the helipad
As a sign of solidarity with the staff in times of the corona pandemic, the Australian tennis stars Ashleigh Barty and Patrick Rafter delivered a show match at the helipad of a hospital in Brisbane.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: May 05, 2020, 01:10 pm
The duo then went on a tour of a ward at the Royal Hospital in Queensland, where COVID-19 patients are treated.
"It was incredible to see how this works. There are a lot of people and unsung heroes here," said world number one Barty, "they work unsupervised and hard for our safety and that of society. It was very special for me."
The two-time US Open winner Rafter added: "We have seen the people behind what they have to wear, how intense it is for them in this environment. You cannot thank them enough for it." Most of the Corona cases in Queensland are treated at the Brisbane hospital.
The head of the hospital was thrilled by the gesture of the two superstars. "It was extraordinary. The people here are currently working like slaves. It's good to distract yourself for five minutes. There are a lot of fans of Ashleigh and Pat here. So it was fantastic," said David Rosengren.