Serena Williams donates ASB Classic prize money to bushfire relief

By MiNDFOOD

REUTERS/Andrew Boyers
REUTERS/Andrew Boyers
Serena Williams has joined a growing list of celebrities donating money to bushfire relief efforts in Australia.

The tennis star announced she is donating her prize money from New Zealand’s ASB Classic to bushfire aid, after winning the championship title on Sunday.

It’s the first singles tournament William has won since having her daughter three years ago, ending a five-final losing streak.

She beat fellow American Jessica Pegula to take out the title, which came with a $NZ65,000 cash prize.

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“I’ve been playing in Australia for over 20 years and it’s been really hard for me to watch all the news and everything that has been happening with all the fires,” she said.

“Over a billion animals and people that have lost their homes. So much has happened, so I decided at the beginning of the tournament in every match I played I’d donate a dress and I’d also donate all my prize money for a great cause.”

The donation comes ahead of Williams crossing the ditch to play in the Australian Open, where she has won seven of her 23 Grand Slam singles titles.

Her win at the Australian Open in 2017 was the last title Williams won before her triumph in Auckland on Sunday.

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