Federer calls for tsunami relief effort

World number one Roger Federer [Images] led calls for tennis to join other sports in raising money for victims of the south Asian tsunami disaster.

Federer said tennis players should follow the example set by the world's top cricketers, who joined forces for a one-day international in Melbourne on Monday which raised more than $A14 million ($US10.63 million) for the relief effort.

"I straight away was thinking about different options for us to help," the Swiss told reporters at Tuesday's draw for the Kooyong Classic, the traditional warm-up event for next week's Australian Open.

"If we can help just a bit then I'd definitely play as much as they [organisers] like. Obviously we can't be there to help but I'll play in as many matches as possible throughout the year."

Andre Agassi [Images] echoed Federer's comments, saying that the governing bodies of tennis should come together to organise events.

"I think this would be the best opportunity in the world for all of us [players] to come together," said the American.

"Because tennis is an individual sport it would need one of the professional bodies to organise it. But it was a terrible tragedy and I think you'd find all the players happy to do all they can to help those who've been affected."

Thousands of people in Southeast Asia were killed in the giant waves triggered by an undersea earthquake off the Indonesian island of Sumatra on December 26.

Like many tournaments, the Kooyong Classic will be holding daily collections, with the money raised being donated to UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund.

Top seed Federer will open his bid for the title in the eight-man event at Kooyong against French Open champion Gaston Gaudio of Argentina.

Another Argentine, defending champion David Nalbandian, meets Briton Tim Henman, Agassi faces Olympic champion Nicolas Massu of Chile and American Andy Roddick [Images] takes on Paradorn Srichaphan [Images] of Thailand.

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