Taylor Fritz is donating his first-round prize money at the Australian Open to help people affected by the California wildfires. The American fourth seed raced through to round three with a 6-2, 6-1, 6-0 thumping of Chile’s Cristian Garin and then revealed that he will give Aus $132,000 (approximately $81,000 or £67,000) to relief efforts.
“I just want everyone to stay safe, it’s insane what happened,” said Fritz. “I wanted to say something after my first-round match but I’m going to be donating my first-round prize money to LA wildfire relief funds.
“It’s really the least I could do. Southern California’s my home and LA was my home for a very long time so I’m just doing what I can do to help. I would encourage anyone else who can donate to help too because a lot of people really need help.
“I have friends impacted. I had some family have to evacuate. The house that my brothers grew up in burned down.”
Fritz reached his first grand slam final at the US Open last year and he has been ruthless in Melbourne, losing eight games in six sets. He next faces the 38-year-old Gael Monfils, who continued his excellent start to the season with a 7-5 6-3 7-6 (3) victory over Daniel Altmaier.
Monfils became the oldest winner of an ATP Tour title in Auckland last weekend and feels he has nothing left to prove. “I can finish now,” he said. “I have done what I want in a way. If I do more, it’s a bonus. Tennis has given me everything I can even imagine, so I am already blessed.”
Fritz’s compatriot Frances Tiafoe suffered a frustrating early defeat by Hungary’s Fábián Marozsán with the 17th seed losing in five sets. Tiafoe had led by two sets to one and failed to take advantage of 10 break points in the fourth set losing 6-7 (3), 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.
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