On February 7, 2020, the ‘Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal’ showdown is all set to take place at the Cape Town Stadium, South Africa. Their match certainly fulfills the dream of a 95-year old tennis fan. She is Lilian, Witbooi and fondly known as, Mama Lila. She hails from Upington, South Africa.

Witbooi is one of the oldest fans of Nadal and she always wanted to see him live in action in her home country of South Africa. 

The ‘Fedal’ match is the sixth edition of ‘Match for Africa’. The match is organized by the Roger Federer Foundation and which simultaneously raises funds for the foundation. The tickets for their match in South Africa were sold under 10 minutes after they were put on sale.

Many fans across the nation were disappointed as they were unable to purchase the tickets, and Witbooi was one of them. Her family members tried aggressively to obtain the tickets, but they were not successful.

How did Witbooi receive the ticket for ‘Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal’ showdown in Cape Town?

Her son-in-law Riedewhan Davids mentioned that his mother-in-law Witbooi thought her dream had come true after she heard Nadal was coming to play in Cape Town. But upon learning the failure to fetch the tickets for the match, Witbooi was heartbroken.

As a consequence, her son-in-law Davids wrote a letter to the Roger Federer Foundation on behalf of Witbooi. He requested a wheelchair ticket and explained that they were unable to acquire the tickets due to high demand.  

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“In spite of being online before 9 am, the opening time of the sales, and two of us on the phone trying to get through to Computicket, all was in vain as the tickets were sold out in 15 minutes. She was devastated, heartbroken and disappointed,” he mentioned the letter.

“As she was a tennis player in her much younger days she liked what she saw in the young man and has been following his progress ever since. It has always been her wish to see him in action.” he addressed in the letter.

Two days later, Computicket (the ticketing bureau) contacted Davids with some good news. They replied back and said the wheelchair ticket for Witbooi and her assistant are available.

“He doesn’t just hit the ball, he plays tennis” – Witbooi on Rafael Nadal

Upon the reception of tickets, Witbooi was on cloud nine. “Her reaction was indescribable. She was ecstatic. The best thing that happened in all her life, those were her words. She cried when she received the news. The family was so thankful after the initial disappointment,” said Davids.

With the tears of joy, the 95-year-old Rafael Nadal fan expressed her anticipation to see the Spaniard live in action and she also aspires to click a photograph with him.

“I’m very excited. I keep packing and unpacking and keep wishing I could meet Nadal. I just wish he wins and I wish I could take a photo with him. The first time I saw him play was about 12 years ago. He doesn’t just hit the ball, he plays tennis,” said Witbooi.

This year, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will also play with the philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and The Daily Show host Trevor Noah on the tennis court of Cape Town, South Africa.