Several top tennis players have agreed to play in a charity match to raise funds for bushfire relief in Australia, including Serena Williams, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal.
Tennis stars Serena Williams, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal have committed to participate in a charity match scheduled for January 15 at Melbourne Park's Rod Laver Arena.
Dubbed the Australian Open Rally for Relief, the event will donate proceeds from ticket sales to the bushfire relief efforts. Tickets are priced at $37 for adults and $24 for concessions.
Joining the trio would be other tennis stars Naomi Osaka, Caroline Wozniacki, Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Tennis Australia chief executive officer (CEO) Craig Tiley said: "This unprecedented bushfire crisis is devastating people, properties, communities, livestock and animals across the country and our hearts go out to all those affected."
"The response from the tennis community -- our players, clubs, partners and international tennis bodies -- has been overwhelming and it's wonderful to see everyone pull together. The players are keen to be involved -- we've had a tremendous response from them and they are keen to help," Tiley added.
Tennis Pros donating to bushfire relief
Defending Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic has pledged to match the $17,400 or 25,000 AUSD donation of Maria Sharapova to the bushfire relief in Australia, which he announced via a Twitter post.
The two tennis players are the latest to donate to the cause following Australian tennis pro Nick Kyrgios started the initiative earlier this week. For months, Australia has been ravaged by wildfires that have killed 24 people and destroyed around 14.7 million acres of bushland.
In a tweet, the five-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova wrote: “The month of January in Australia has been my home for the past 15 years. Watching the fires destroy the lands, its beautiful families and communities of animals is deeply (heartbreaking). I would like to begin my donation at 25K. @DjokerNole, would you match my donation?”
