In a remarkable act of generosity, American tennis player Taylor Fritz announced he will donate all the prize money he earned from his first-round win at the 2025 Australian Open to relief funds supporting people impacted by the catastrophic wildfires ravaging the greater Los Angeles area. The 27-year-old U.S. Open runner-up, who hails from Southern California, said donating the approximately $82,000 he pocketed for advancing to the second round was “the least I can do” to help those affected.
California Connections Run Deep
For Fritz, the wildfires hit close to home, even from the other side of the world in Melbourne. “Obviously ‘SoCal’ has been my home forever,” he shared after his dominant 6-2, 6-1, 6-0 victory over Chile’s Cristian Garin. “I still spend a lot of time in LA, but I lived in LA for quite a while. I have friends impacted; family not so much. I had some family have to evacuate. The house that my brothers grew up in burnt down.”
The world No. 4 emphasized the far-reaching impact of the disaster. “A lot of people are affected by it,” Fritz said. “I feel like if you’re in a place to help, then you should.”
Athletes Rally to Help Hometown
Fritz is not the only player at the year’s first Grand Slam tournament with strong California ties. Four-time major champion Naomi Osaka, who now resides in Los Angeles, revealed she sent someone to retrieve her young daughter’s birth certificate from their home as a precaution. “Just in case of the worst,” the 27-year-old explained.
California native Tristan Boyer, 23, shared the personal toll the fires have taken after winning his first-round match. “We have friends and family who are homeless now. It’s really, really devastating to see,” he said. Boyer’s father had to evacuate their Altadena home. “Obviously trying to do what I need to do to prep and play tennis, but control what I can control in this moment. But it’s hard for sure.”
Unimaginable Destruction Continues
The relentless wildfires, already on track to become the costliest fire disaster in U.S. history, show no signs of abating. At least 25 people have lost their lives so far, with thousands of homes destroyed across the region. Thick smoke continues to blanket much of the L.A. basin. The cause of the massive blazes remains under investigation.
For now, Fritz and his fellow California athletes at the Australian Open are keeping those back home in their thoughts. “I just want everyone to obviously stay safe,” the American No. 1 said. “It’s just insane what happened.”
As he looks ahead to a third-round clash with resurgent French veteran Gael Monfils, the 27-year-old knows his donation is just a small way to help in the face of such devastation. “I mean, I feel like it’s really the least I can do,” Fritz reiterated. But for the thousands of Californians who have seen their lives upended, every bit of support makes a difference as they begin the long road to recovery.
