Tennis Australia heeds Nick Kyrgios’ call for bushfire relief fundraising
Tennis Australia has confirmed it will host a series of fundraising activities over the next month to raise funds for bushfire victims.
Tennis Australia has confirmed it will host a series of fundraising activities over the next month to raise funds for bushfire victims, which follows a plea for assistance from Nick Kyrgios.
Cricket Australia, which had already announced players in the Test against New Zealand in Sydney would wear black armbands, has also detailed plans to raise funds in the one-day series in March.
Kyrgios, who is in Brisbane to represent Australia in the ATP Cup beginning on Friday, used social media to call for a rally for relief for those affected by the unfolding crisis.
“C’mon Tennis Australia. Surely we can do a pre Australian Open exho (exhibition) to raise funds for those affected by the fires?” he wrote.
Kyrgios had immediate support from fellow Australia player John Millman, who replied on Twitter with “Great shout that”.
Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley, who doubles as the Australian Open tournament director, said discussions were already underway as to how the body could assist over the next month.
“For weeks we’ve been watching the devastation caused by bushfires across Australia and the people affected are constantly in our thoughts,” he said.
“We want to help these communities in a meaningful way and will announce a number of fundraising and support initiatives that will be rolled out across the ATP Cup, Australian Open and our other events over the coming weeks.”
Seven-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic has already pledged to donate to a fund to help rescue efforts for wildlife affected by the fires.
Roger Federer led efforts to raise funds following the disastrous flooding in Queensland in 2011, with stars including Lleyton Hewitt involved in the organisation of a Rally for Relief exhibition prior to that year’s Australian Open.
The annual Pink Test to raise funds for the McGrath Foundation’s breast cancer support will occur in Sydney in the final match of the series between Australia and New Zealand.
The SCG Trust and Cricket Australia will use the one-day series in March between the two nations to raise funds for the Australian Red Cross.
The shirts worn by players in the Boxing Day Test held in Melbourne last week will be auctioned online from Thursdays, with all proceeds going to the Red Cross.
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