By BBC (Sports) | Created at 2025-01-16 07:50:08 | Updated at 2025-01-16 11:10:12
3 hours ago
Fourth seed Taylor Fritz said he is going to donate his first-round prize money from the Australian Open to support victims from the Los Angeles wildfires.
The fires, which began on 7 January, have killed at least 25 people and are being marked as the most destructive in the city's history.
After beating Chilean qualifier Cristian Garin to reach the third round on Thursday, American Fritz pledged his 132,000 Australian dollars (£67,000) first-round prize.
"I just want everyone to stay safe, it's insane what happened," the 27-year-old said.
"I'm going to be donating my first round prize money to LA wildfire relief funds.
"It's the least I can do. Southern California is my home and LA was my home for a very long time, so I'm just doing what I can possibly do to help."
Fritz, who lost to Jannik Sinner in last year's US Open final, wrote "LA" and drew a love heart on a camera lens after his 6-2 6-1 6-0 over Garin in Melbourne.
The world number four will face French veteran Gael Monfils in the third round.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka revealed on Monday that the wildfires were just three blocks from her home.
Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula and Iga Swiatek also dedicated their first-round wins to LA and the firefighters who have been tackling the fires.
