'Tennis for peace': Billie Jean King, others donate to Ukrainian relief as Team USA takes on Team Ukraine in Asheville
King estimates $1 million raised for Ukrainian relief
King estimates $1 million raised for Ukrainian relief
King estimates $1 million raised for Ukrainian relief
The USA Women's Tennis team is squaring off against Team Ukraine in Asheville this weekend.
It's for the Billie Jean King Cup — a qualifier for the 2022 finals.
Fans lined up Friday morning outside Harrah's Cherokee Center in Asheville. Many of them said they were cheering for both Team USA and Team Ukraine amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
"We brought a flag to honor the Ukrainian players," said Dean Davis of Greenville. "You really have to sympathize with the players that are traveling internationally while everything’s going on in their country. I can’t imagine what’s on their minds when they’re trying to focus on tennis."
The United States Tennis Association said it will donate 10% of ticket revenue to Ukrainian relief. A release also said local sponsors, including Harrah's Cherokee Casinos, Ingles Markets and New Belgium Brewing Company will also make donations.
"I just cannot believe what's happening really and I feel so sorry for the players and everyone in Ukraine," said Billie Jean King, who spoke to reporters Friday afternoon at the event.
She said met with both teams before they played Friday and asked Team Ukraine how she could help.
King estimated the qualifiers will raise a million dollars for Ukrainian relief and said she'll donate $50,000 to the Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund.
"I think it’s really tennis for peace," she said, of the effort. "It’s just anything we can do to help in peace and help really get behind people."
Play on Saturday will resume at 1 pm.