Taylor Fritz donates Australian Open prize money to help LA wildfire relief

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 the third round with a 6-2, 6-1, 6-0 thumping of Chile’s Cristian Garin before announcing he will donate Aus$132,000 (about $81,000 or £67,000) to relief efforts.

“I just want everyone to stay safe, it’s crazy what happened,” Fritz said. “I wanted to say something after my first round match, but I’m going to donate my first round prize money to the LA wildfire fund.

“It’s really the least I could do. Southern California is my home and LA was my home for a long time, so I’m just doing what I can do to help. I would encourage anyone who can donate to help as well, as many people really need help.

“I have friends who have been affected. I had to evacuate some family members. The house my brothers grew up in burned down.”

Fritz reached his first grand slam final at the US Open last year and was ruthless in Melbourne, losing eight matches in six sets. He will next face 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 last weekend in Auckland and feels he has nothing left to prove. “I can finish it now,” he said. “I did what I wanted, in a way. If I do more, that’s a bonus. Tennis has given me everything I could ever imagine, so I am already blessed.”

Fritz’s compatriot Frances Tiafoe suffered a frustrating early defeat to Hungary’s Fábián Marozsán, with the 17th seed losing in five sets. Tiafoe was two sets ahead to one and failed to capitalize on 10 break points in the fourth set, losing 6-7 (3), 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.