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By Associated Press Feb 19, 2025

Players, Slams boost donation efforts for Aussie bushfires

Published Jan 13, 2020

Players have been donating to the Australian bushfire relief effort all month long, with aces, double faults, drop shots, social posts and even entire prize money donations.

The Grand Slams have joined the great cause, announcing a donation of $400,000 on Monday.

We've teamed up with the ITF, Roland-Garros, and Wimbledon to donate $400,000 to our friends in Australia 🇦🇺 in support of the bushfire relief. Proceeds will go to the Australian Red Cross.

Read more about #Aces4BushfireRelief and get involved ➡️ https://t.co/NaYmRLnaOj pic.twitter.com/RL9XtndxzB
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) January 13, 2020

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The USTA, on behalf of the US Open, provided the $100,000.

“The USTA has a long track record of supporting communities hurt by devastating natural disasters, and though our efforts have traditionally been to support communities in the United States, we are joining with the world in helping our friends and colleagues in Australia,” said Patrick Galbraith, current USTA Chairman of the Board and President.

We are donating $100,000 in support of the Australian bushfire relief. Proceeds will go to the Australian Red Cross and help the areas of the country that have been devastated by fire.

Learn more about #Aces4BushfireRelief and get involved 👉 https://t.co/kMv8zHWXnS pic.twitter.com/l1tnBP3Vl3
— USTA (@usta) January 13, 2020

Nick Kyrgios was one of the first players to get the ace donation ball rolling:

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I’m kicking off the support for those affected by the fires. I’ll be donating $200 per ace that I hit across all the events I play this summer. #MoreToCome #StayTuned
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 2, 2020

His compatriots jumped on board including...

Samantha Stosur:

For every ACE I serve over the Aussie summer I’ll donate $200 to the bushfire relief to help raise funds to the families, firefighters and animals who are affected by this disaster. Please join me in any way you can #ausfires #ClimateEmegency #AustralianFires
— Samantha Stosur (@bambamsam30) January 2, 2020

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Alex de Minaur and John Millman:

I’m not at your level boys but I want to get involved. $100 for an ace over the Australian summer. #servingupsomehelp https://t.co/eIwIH0xTXT
— John Millman (@johnhmillman) January 2, 2020

And Matt Reid:

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Better late then never but I’ll donate $50 as well for each ACE I hit this Aussie summer 🙏🏽
— Matt Reid (@MattReid12345) January 4, 2020

Players soon joined in from all around the globe including...

Maria Sharapova and Novak Djokovic:

Yes, @MariaSharapova I would like to match your $25k donation to double the aid sent to these communities. We stand by you, #Australia. 🙏🏼 https://t.co/wiUZHzg9cz
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 6, 2020

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Karolina Pliskova:

Heyy Aussies! I love your country so I decided to join the
Aussies players and donate 200 dollars for every ace I hit during my stay in Australia to support and help all the victims of the fires. Let’s get some aces going! pic.twitter.com/5adQTWrcCR
— Karolina Pliskova (@KaPliskova) January 4, 2020

Belinda Bencic:

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And Alize Cornet and Simona Halep:

These bushfires in Australia are tearing my heart apart 😢... And as Simona was saying, I won't be raising much money either if I have to count on my serve 😅 ! Sooo I will donate 50$ for every drop shot winner that I'll make at the Australian Swing 😃💪 Much more efficient 😏 https://t.co/MBXt6BCjbD
— Alize Cornet (@alizecornet) January 5, 2020

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Ashleigh Barty and Serena Williams both donated their Brisbane prize money:

Incredible presentation at @ASB_Classic !

First @serenawilliams meets the legendary Ruia Morrison...

...then she announces she will donate her prize money (and a dress from each of her matches) to the bushfire relief effort! pic.twitter.com/xNVYAeLn3u
— wta (@WTA) January 12, 2020

The WTA is giving $100 AUD per ace for singles and doubles in Brisbane, Adelaide, Auckland and Hobart. On Sunday, the ATP announced a $500,000 donation from the players after Serbia topped Spain in the ATP Cup final.

In Brisbane and Adelaide, players have had a chance to get up close and personal with koalas, kangaroos and more species unique only to Australia.

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View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Adelaide International (@adelaideinternational)

While usually just a memorable photo-op, these interactions mean a lot more to the players with the wildfires ragingacross nearly 28 million acres and killing an estimated billion animals.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by SAKKATTACK (@mariasakkari)

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Exhibitions have also been organized to boost donations. The Rally for Resilience was held on Saturday in Adelaide with Angelique Kerber and Simona Halep volunteering their time.

Good fun for a great cause 🤗🇦🇺

cc @AngeliqueKerber, @juanscabal & @RobertFarah_!#Rally4Resilience #AdelaideTennis pic.twitter.com/SJJjAtRWj4
— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) January 12, 2020

On Wednesday, the Australian Open will host a Rally for Relief exhibition with Djokovic, Serena, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Caroline Wozniacki and Stefanos Tsitsipas to raise even more money for relief efforts.

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