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Updated August 24th 2023, 12:07 IST

NBA star Jimmy Butler and singer Sebastian Yatra play tennis at a US Open charity event for Ukraine

A charity event that earned $320,000 for humanitarian aid in Ukraine featured NBA player Jimmy Butler playing tennis with Frances Tiafoe while dressing exactly like a member of the ball staff at the U.S. Open.

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Jimmy Butler and Sebastian Yatra
Jimmy Butler in action during an NBA game; Image: AP | Image: self

 NBA star Jimmy Butler took a swing at another sport Wednesday night, dressing just like a member of the ball crew at the U.S. Open to perform those duties and picking up a racket to play with Frances Tiafoe, Carlos Alcaraz and Sebastián Yatra at a charity event that raised $320,000 for humanitarian relief in Ukraine.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and the war there continues.

Butler, who led the Miami Heat to the NBA Finals last season before losing to the Denver Nuggets, is not new to tennis and is friends with 2022 French Open runner-up Coco Gauff.

He teamed with Tiafoe, a semifinalist at last year’s U.S. Open, in doubles against defending champion Alcaraz and Grammy winner Yatra.

Other just-for-fun exhibitions at Stars of the Open in Louis Armstrong Stadium included John McEnroe, Gabriela Sabatini, Jessica Pegula, Matteo Berrettini, Elena Svitolina, Gael Monfils, Chris Eubanks and Jennifer Brady.

The U.S. Open begins Monday.

Published August 24th 2023, 12:07 IST