To kick off the new year, tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios showed us his sensitive side by taking to social media to solicit aid from Tennis Australia regarding the fires raging across his homeland:
C'mon @TennisAustralia surely we can do a pre @AustralianOpen exho to raise funds for those affected by the fires? 🤷🏼♂️🤷🏼♂️
- Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 1, 2020
To put things into perspective, the amount of forest land burning in Australia is more than the damage done by Amazon and California fires... . Not only that, but at least seven people have died and two have gone missing, and emergency services have confirmed that nearly 200 homes have been completely destroyed.
Even the city areas are not safe as the air pollution levels are getting extremely dangerous. Air quality in Canberra was recently indexed at 999 (an index of 500 is hazardous) due to smoke - 4 times more than anywhere else in the world right now. These fires have also had a devastating effect on the rich Australian wildlife, as nearly 1/3 of the beloved Koala population has been decimated.
While he waited for a response, the native of Canberra decided to make donations himself during his games:
I'm kicking off the support for those affected by the fires. I'll be donating $200 per ace that I hit across all the events I play this summer. #MoreToCome #StayTuned
- Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 2, 2020
Thankfully, his plea was heard, and this morning, he not only had Tennis Australia's attention, but that of many of his peers. His teammates Alex de Minaur and John Millman joined in his effort, with Alex offering $250 per ace and John Millman offering $100 per serve.
I'm not at your level boys but I want to get involved. $100 for an ace over the Australian summer. #servingupsomehelp https://t.co/eIwIH0xTXT
- John Millman (@johnhmillman) January 2, 2020
Fellow Aussie Samantha Stosur will also donate $200 for each of her aces.
For every ACE I serve over the Aussie summer I'll donate $200 to the bushfire relief to help raise funds to the families, firefighters and animals who are affected by this disaster. Please join me in any way you can #ausfires #ClimateEmegency #AustralianFires
- Samantha Stosur (@bambamsam30) January 2, 2020
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And get this... the ATP jumped on board by announcing their contribution, and it's HUGE. They will donate $100 per ace at all three venues of the 2020 ATP Cup. Wow! That is some serious kwan!
Each ace served across the @ATPCup at all three venues will deliver $100 to the @RedCrossAU bushfire disaster relief and recovery efforts.
With more than 1500 aces expected to be served, the tournament contribution is expected to exceed $150,000.
- ATPCup (@ATPCup) January 2, 2020
It's so heartwarming to see the tennis community taking up this noble cause. If you would like to help, there are numerous legitimate agencies accepting donations now:
- NSW Rural Fire Service - all donations go directly to local fire brigades which are currently strained from the sheer amount of fires.
- The Salvation Army - funds help the agency to provide meals, water and emotional support to evacuees and firefighters.
- The Australian Red Cross - fund go toward first aid, food and shelter, and emotional support for evacuees and firefighters, as well as the reuniting of families separated by the fires.
As for wildlife rescue donations, you can donate here:
- Port Macquarie Koala Hospital - they have well surpassed their initial goal, however ALL donations will be used to help save the remaining precious koalas and to help them repopulate.
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Jen Campbell
4.5 USTA rated/open champion level tennis player, vegan, fitness freak, animal lover, and smart ass who firmly believes that champagne is anathema for all ills. Right now I'm either up to my eyeballs in paint swatches and fabric samples, or kicking some butt on a tennis court (hopefully the latter).