American tennis star Taylor Fritz has pledged to donate his $82,000 first-round prize money from the Australian Open to aid victims of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. The 27-year-old, who resides in California, made the announcement after securing a dominant victory over Chilean qualifier Cristian Garin in the third round with a 6-2, 6-1, 6-0 scoreline.
Fritz, visibly shaken by the destruction, referred to the ongoing devastation as “insane” and expressed his desire to help those affected by the disaster. “Southern California is my home, and LA was my home for a long time,” he said, highlighting the impact of the fires on the region he holds dear. “It’s really the least I can do,” he added, urging others who can afford to donate to do the same.
The fires, which started more than a week ago, have caused extensive damage, killing at least two dozen people and wreaking havoc across the city. The blazes, fueled by hurricane-strength winds, have left parts of Los Angeles in ruins. Fellow players, including Coco Gauff, Madison Keys, and Jessica Pegula, have all expressed their shock at the situation. Keys also made a generous donation of $20,000 to the Los Angeles fire department in support of the firefighters. Pegula, known for her charity work, has been sharing resources to aid animals affected by the fires. Naomi Osaka, living in Los Angeles, revealed that the wildfires were dangerously close to her home.