MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — American tennis sensation Taylor Fritz announced on Thursday his commitment to donate approximately $82,000—the prize money from his first-round victory at the Australian Open—to relief efforts aiding those impacted by the devastating wildfires in the greater Los Angeles region.
“Honestly, it’s the least I can do,” expressed Fritz, a U.S. Open finalist, who hails from Rancho Santa Fe, California, and continues to call the state home.
“SoCal has always been my sanctuary. I still spend significant time in LA, having lived there for years. I know many who have been affected; while my family is mostly okay, some relatives have faced evacuations. The home where my brothers grew up has tragically been lost to the flames. They no longer reside there,” Fritz shared after his impressive 6-2, 6-1, 6-0 win over Chilean qualifier Cristian Garín, securing his spot in the third round at Melbourne Park.
“A lot of individuals are suffering from this disaster,” added Fritz, recognized as the No. 4 seed in Australia and a runner-up to Jannik Sinner at the U.S. Open in September. “If you have the ability to help, then it’s your responsibility to do so.”
Authorities are still investigating the causes behind these catastrophic blazes, which are poised to be marked as one of the nation’s most costly fire disasters, already claiming at least 25 lives and annihilating thousands of homes.
A range of athletes with ties to the LA area are participating in this year’s opening Grand Slam tournament.
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka mentioned she had someone retrieve her 1 ½-year-old daughter’s birth certificate from their California residence, just in case it was caught in the fires. Additionally, Tristan Boyer, a 23-year-old Californian who experienced a first-round victory but lost on Thursday, revealed his father had to evacuate their home in Altadena.
“We have friends and family facing homelessness now. It’s incredibly heartbreaking to witness,” Boyer expressed. “While I’m focused on preparing and competing in tennis, it’s challenging to manage everything.”
As Fritz looks ahead to his upcoming match against the seasoned French player Gael Monfils on Saturday for a chance at the fourth round in Australia, he remains deeply concerned about the situation back home.
“My primary concern is for everyone’s safety,” Fritz remarked. “What’s happening is simply unimaginable.”
