Serena Williams donates ASB Classic prize money to Australian bushfire aid

Serena Williams won her first trophy since returning from maternity leave after beating Jessica Pegula in straight sets in ASB Classic final on Sunday.

Afterwards, Williams revealed that she will donate her entire prize fund of 43,000 US dollars to Australian bush fire appeal. 

Serena Williams ended a three-year title drought when she beat fellow American Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday to win singles final at ASB Classic.

Williams hn’t won a title since Australian Open in January 2017, and t since she became a mor to her daughter Olympia, who was court-side to see victory.

“It feels good. It’s been a long time,” Williams said. “I think you can see relief on my face.

“I played an incredible opponent today in Jessica and, honestly, it was a great match and I couldn’t have played anyone better in final.”

23-time major winner donated her $43,000 winner’s check to fundraising appeal for victims of Australian wildfires, joining many or tennis stars, such as Ash Barty, Nick Kygrios, vak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova, who have pledged money to alrey months-long fire emergency re.

U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted: “Congratulations to @serenawilliams on ar big win. She is a great player and an even greater person. Our members in Virginia (Tennis) will never forget you!”

Williams was with Trump at 2015 opening of Trump Tennis Center.

Williams was under pressure at first against 25-year-old Pegula, playing in her third WTA final, but asserted herself more as match went on to claim her 73rd win in 98 finals and to d her name to a trophy won by her sister, Venus, in 2015.

last three years have been challenging for Williams as she juggled competing demands of tennis and morhood. But she seemed to turn a corner during a demanding week in which she played both doubles and singles, turning out on all seven days of tournament.