Australian wildfire: Maria Sharapova pledges $17,400, urges Djokovic to match her donation

Maria Sharapova is latest athlete to pledge a donation for victims of Australian wildfire. In a tweet on Sunday, Russian said that she was 'heartbroken' to see loss of life and property and pledged to donate $17,400. She also urged World Number 2 vak Djokovic to match her donation.

RE: Australia Bushfire Crisis: PM Sets Up National Bushfire Recovery ncy, Toll Climbs To 24

Sharapova anunces donation

Many tennis stars have pledged donations in various ways. Some have stated that y will be pledging a certain amount per ace scored, ors have directly pledged a certain amount. 

wave of donations started after Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios prodded Tennis Australia to start campaigns to raise funds and decided to start one of his own. Once he anunced his campaign, many ors followed. 

Earlier, Djokovic stated that Australian Open might have to be postponed by a few days so that players' health is t affected due to intense smoke. Djokovic, who is President of ATP Players' Council, said that re was a possibility of postponement and it h to be considered.  “You have to consider it because of some extreme wear or conditions. That’s probably very, very last option. (But) if it comes down to ... conditions affecting health of players, you have to consider it."

RE: vak Djokovic: 'May Have To Delay Australian Open If Wildfire Smoke Haze Worsens'

wildfires in Australia have le to thousands of people losing ir homes and more than 450 million animals have lost ir lives. Around 20 people have lost ir lives and Scott Morrison, Prime Minister has been facing criticism for going on a holiday with his family and t taking eugh steps to solve issue. 

Tennis officials last week took unprecedented decision to relocate Canberra International — an ATP Challenger 125 event and on women's ITF World Tennis Tour, which serves as a stepping stone to full tour. y said play would t have been possible in Australian capital which has been choked by smoke, with tournament w due to start Monday at Bendigo in Victoria.

RE: Australia Bushfire Crisis: PM Scott Morrison Sets Up National Bushfire Recovery ncy, Toll Climbs To 24

On Saturday, government anunced that 3,000 Army, Navy and Air Force reservists will be deployed to battle against fires. A commitment of $14 million to leasing fire-fighting aircraft from overseas was also me.

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