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NADAL AND NALBANDIAN RAISE MORE THAN $50,000 FOR CHARITY AT INTERNATIONAL POLO

March 29, 2008

WELLINGTON, FL– Two of the world's best tennis players raised more than $50,000 to benefit the David Nalbandian Foundation on March 25 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

Rafael Nadal, ranked No. 2 in men's tennis, and David Nalbandian, ranked No. 7, faced of against each other in a private singles match to raise money for Nalbandian's non-profit organization that promotes the physical and mental development of people with disabilities. Nalbandian defeated Nadal 6-4 in the one set exhibition.

“It was a lot of fun for us,” said Nalbandian, who also defeated his friend Nadal in the Paris ATP Masters final last year. “We play a lot together on the court and we also spend a lot of time together outside the court too. We're good friends. We really enjoyed playing here and next time I will be doing something to help his foundation.”

International Polo Club polo team owners, including Melissa Ganzi, Gonzalo Avendano, Camilo Bautista, George Rawlings, Greg Goodman and John Goodman, sponsored the event. Following the single's match, each of the sponsors selected one member from their respective teams to play in a round robin style doubles match. Five of the world's best polo players took swings alongside Nadal and Nalbandian, including Ignacio Astrada, Adolfo Cambiaso, brothers Gonzalito and Facundo Pieres, Pablo MacDonough and Nicolas Roldan.

Nadal of Spain is twice a singles runner-up at Wimbledon and undefeated at the French Open, having won all 21 matches at that tournament. He is best known for denying the world's number one and 12-time Grand Slam singles titlist Roger Federer a career Grand Slam as he defeated Federer at the French Open in 2005, 2006, and 2007.

Nalbandian of Argentina has won eight ATP titles. Most notably he defeated Roger Federer in Madrid at the ATP Masters Final in 2007.


David Nalbandian and Rafael Nadal - Photo courtesy Lila Photo


Rafael Nadal shakes the hand of Adolfo Cambiaso, the world's best polo player who teamed up with David Nalbandian in a doubles match after the singles exhibition. - Photo courtesy Lila Photo


David Nalbandian and Adolfo Cambiaso - Photo courtesy Lila Photo


From left, Camilo Bautista, Marc Ganzi, Rafael Nadal, David Nalbandian, Gonzalo Avendano and John Goodman - Photo courtesy Lila Photo

International Polo Club Manager John Wash presents a check for $50,000 to David Nalbandian for his charity the David Nalbandian Foundation with Gonzalo Avendano and International Polo Club founder John Goodman  - Photo courtesy Lila Photo

Rafael Nadal autographs a ball for up and coming polo superstar Nicolas Roldan - Photo courtesy Lila Photo


Rafael Nadal, Melissa and Marc Ganzi - Photo courtesy Lila Photo


David Nalbandian and John Goodman - Photo courtesy Lila Photo

International Polo is located at 3667 120 th  Avenue South in Wellington and hosts professional polo tournaments until April 20. The premier game of the week is played at 3:00 p.m. every Sunday on the Stanford Field and Stadium. Information can be obtained by calling 561-204-5687 or on the web at  www.internationalpoloclub.com  or  www.northamericanpololeague.com.

 

 
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