World no. 4 tennis player Taylor Fritz announced on Thursday that he plans to donate his first-round prize money of $82,000 from the Australian Open to support those affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
The California resident disclosed this after he advanced to the third round in Melbourne, where he defeated Chilean qualifier Cristian Garin<\/a> in an emphatic straight sets win, 6-2 6-1 6-0.<\/p>\n The prize money for the first round amounts to Aus$132,000 ($82,000 USD).<\/p>\n “I want everyone to stay safe; it\u2019s just unbelievable what has happened,” said the 27-year-old<\/a>.<\/p>\n “I\u2019ll be donating my first-round earnings to L.A. wildfire relief efforts.<\/p>\n “It’s truly the least I can do. Southern California is my home, and I spent a long time in LA.<\/p>\n “I’m doing whatever I can to assist and would urge anyone else who is able to contribute to do so, as many people are in desperate need.”<\/p>\n