World No. 2 Novak Djokovic has matched the $17,400 or 25,000 AUSD donation of Maria Sharapova to the bushfire relief operation in Australia.
Defending Australian Open champion Djokovic has pledged to match the Sharapova donation 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?"
Djokovic responded on Monday by saying: "Yes, @MariaSharapova I would like to match your $25k donation to double the aid sent to these communities. We stand by you, #Australia."
Meanwhile, Ashleigh Barty, the top seed in Brisbane, has promised to donate her winnings at the tournament to the Australian Red Cross bushfire appeal. Barty has already donated $20,850 to the RSPCA to support wildlife affected by the fires at the end of last year, and would donate a further $265,500 if she wins in Brisbane.
Barty said: "Wildlife has been lost but it has also affected lives and homes so I have been sitting down and thinking with my team and family on ways we can help. There have been really great initiatives from cricketers, tennis players, golfers, soccer players all over the country trying to help out."
Tennis Australia has pledged $700,000 towards the repair of tennis facilities damaged by the fires, and will also donate $100 for every ace hit at the ATP Cup.
However, World No. 4 Simona Halep said: "Well guys, you know I love Australia, but you also know I don't hit too many aces. Sooo I want to help and my pledge is this ... every time I give @darren_cahill a hard time in my box during all my matches in Aus, I will donate $200. This way I will raise a lot more money."
