Tennis Stars Send Support to LA Wildfire Victims at Australian Open

MELBOURNE, Australia — Tennis stars at the Australian Open used their platform on Sunday to send messages of support to those affected by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, as players advanced through the tournament’s second day. Top-ranked athletes, including Coco Gauff and Iga Świątek, expressed solidarity with victims and firefighters battling the blazes.

Gauff, the U.S. Open champion, wrote “Stay strong LA, thank you firefighters” on a camera lens after her 6-3, 6-3 victory over Sofia Kenin. Świątek, the world No. 2, followed suit with a message reading, “Sending my love to Malibu and LA,” after defeating Kateřina Siniaková in straight sets. The wildfires, which have claimed at least 24 lives and left dozens missing, have impacted several players’ families and coaches.

Croatian player Donna Vekic revealed her coach, Pam Shriver, remained in Los Angeles to support her family. “It’s a very difficult situation for her,” Vekic said after her win over Diane Parry. “Her house is OK for now, but so many have lost everything, and it’s a horrible situation.”

Naomi Osaka, who advanced past Caroline Garcia, shared that the fires came dangerously close to her home. “Someone had to retrieve my daughter’s birth certificate,” she said. The tournament itself has faced wildfire-related challenges before, with smoke from bushfires affecting play in 2020.

On the court, Australian players enjoyed a strong showing, with seven victories on day two. Ajla Tomljanović, Jordan Thompson, and James Duckworth were among the home favorites to advance. However, 18-year-old Maya Joint fell to seventh-seeded Jessica Pegula in a lopsided match.

In the men’s draw, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and third-seeded Carlos Alcaraz cruised through their opening matches. However, 11th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas suffered a surprising defeat to American Alex Michelsen, marking an early exit for the 2023 finalist.

As the tournament progresses, players continue to balance their on-court performances with off-court concerns for loved ones affected by the wildfires. The Australian Open, which runs through January 28, remains a focal point for both athletic excellence and global solidarity.