Australian Open 2019 will remain as the centrepiece of the ongoing partnership between Tennis Australia and the FightMND foundation to continue the fight against Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
FightMND CEO Jamie Howden said the partnership was an important one for the foundation.
“FightMND’s purpose is to create greater awareness of the horrible disease that affects thousands of Australians each year, but equally as important is to raise vital funds to commit to research into finding a cure for MND, for which at the present time doesn’t exist, and the partnership enables us to do this on a large scale so we are extremely grateful,” Howden said.
“I thank Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley and his large team for their unconditional and committed support in welcoming FightMND as a charity partner.
“I also want to acknowledge the wonderful support of the Tennis Australia’s broadcast partner, the Nine Network, for its incredible support and for airing an emotive commercial throughout the entire summer featuring several of the world’s best players, past and present, who have lent their support to the campaign.”
The devastating impact of MND has been felt by many in the tennis community, with former Australian players Brad Drewett and Peter Doohan succumbing to the disease in 2013 and 2017 respectively.
Angie Cunningham, a Tasmanian-born former outstanding junior player and tour professional, also lost the battle against the disease in 2016.
“We are very pleased to again be partnering with FightMND and supporting this worthy cause,” Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said.
“We’ve lost too many members of the tennis family to this cruel and terrible disease that as yet has no treatment or cure. Through the sale of visors on day one of the Australian Open, and with Nine through the broadcast, we hope to raise both awareness and funds to help in the fight against MND.”
The AO Merchandise shops and FightMND volunteers will be selling visors and accepting donations around Rod Laver Arena on day one of Australian Open 2019.
All proceeds of sales will go direct to fund more research and drug trials for MND.
Visors are also available online at www.fightmnd.org.au.