 "Australian Open 2025: California resident Taylor Fritz donates first-round prize money help victims of Los Angeles wildfires")
Several leading American sports teams and athletes have stepped forward to help victims of the devastating wildfires that have ravaged across California, including in Los Angeles. The latest of those athletes is world No 4 Taylor Fritz, who on Thursday donated the prize money worth AU$ 132,000 (US$82,000) that he won in the first round of the Australian Open to those affected by the “insane” wildfires.
California resident Fritz, who had gone as far as the quarter-finals of the Australian Open last year and finished runner-up in the US Open later in 2024, had beaten compatriot Jenson Brooksby 6-2, 6-0, 6-3 in the first round on Tuesday. The 27-year-old then advanced to the third round in Melbourne by defeating Chilean qualifier Cristian Garin 6-2, 6-1, 6-0.
“I just want everyone to obviously stay safe, it’s just insane what has happened,” said the 27-year-old.
“I’m going to be donating my first-round prize money to LA wildfire relief funds.
“It’s really the least I can do. Southern California is my home and LA was my home for a long time.
“I’m just doing what I can possibly do to help and I would encourage anyone else who can donate to help because a lot of people really need it.”
First Class Fritz 🤌
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2025
Taylor Fritz defeats Garin 6-2 6-1 6-0 to storm into the third round! 🇺🇸#AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/SMDoI7sjUS
The deady fires began more than a week ago, fanned by hurricane-force gusts that have left two dozen people dead and large areas of the city in ruins.
Also Read | Were New Year’s eve fireworks the cause of the Los Angeles wildfires?
Several other players, including Coco Gauff, Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula, have expressed shock and praised firefighters for their efforts.
One-time LA area resident Keys donated $20,000 to the city’s fire department “in support of the incredibly brave firefighters working tirelessly to protect the community”.
Pegula, founder of the dog rescue charity A Lending Paw, has been sharing ways to help the hundreds of animals displaced by the fires to her online followers.
Naomi Osaka, who represents Japan but lives in Los Angeles, said on Monday that wildfires were "three blocks" from her house .
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