9 January 2011 | Tennis Queensland

Last night the ATP and WTA announced that they would support Australian relief efforts for Queenslanders affected by floods that have engulfed the state.

The governing bodies of the men’s and women’s professional tennis circuits have followed Samantha Stosur’s lead and will donate $10 for every ace served by its players at the combined ATP World Tour/WTA tournaments being played in Australia this month.

This includes the Brisbane International, the Medibank International Sydney as well as at the Australian Open in Melbourne.

It is expected that the aces commitment will raise more than $40,000 for the Queensland Government’s Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal, which is on top of Stosur’s pledged $100 for each ace she served at the Brisbane International and American Andy Roddick who followed Sam’s lead.

“It’s a very small part what we’re doing here,” Roddick said.

“It was Sam Stosur’s idea. I kind of just followed on that one. But hopefully it’s a win-win. I know if I hit a lot of aces it helps more … normally if that’s the case I win tennis matches so hopefully it ends up being of some help.”

To date Roddick has given $4200 from his aces served at the Brisbane event. The tournament has donated $5000.

Stosur has also extended her support to include any aces she serves at the Australian Open and Medibank International Sydney where she will add to her current donation of $900.

“The way the people of Queensland have been affected by the floods is really close to my heart,” Stosur said earlier this week.

“I only remember a few details of what happened to my family in 1987 but it turned our way of life upside down and was devastating to my family.

“We lost everything, photos, furniture, all our possessions apart from what we were wearing.  It could have been a lot worse as my younger brother’s cot was completely submerged in water but he was in my parent’s bed that night.

“I also remember Daniel diving for my mum’s wedding ring, which she lost in the water – he found it.

“I guess this is why I felt it is important for me to try and give something back. 

“I am a Queenslander and I want to help even in a small way.  When you are in this kind of situation every little bit helps and I hope my small contribution does just that.”

Not only did her parents lose their home and business due to a flood but her grandparents lost their house in Rocklea in 1974 due to a flood.

Flood waters covering an area greater than the land mass of France and Germany combined have forced the evacuation of thousands of people from towns and cities, destroyed homes and caused billions of dollars damage to crops and infrastructure and severely impacted tourism and businesses in Queensland.

Donations can be made to the official Queensland Government’s Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal or via Facebook and Twitter.