Fritz donates Australian Open prize money to support Los Angeles wildfire victims

American tennis star Taylor Fritz has pledged his $82,000 first-round prize money from the Australian Open to assist those affected by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, describing the situation as "insane."

Fritz, ranked world number four, made the announcement after cruising into the third round in Melbourne with a dominant 6-2, 6-1, 6-0 victory over Chilean qualifier Cristian Garin.

The 27-year-old, a California native, expressed his concern for those impacted by the disaster.

"I just want everyone to stay safe; it's insane what has happened," said Fritz. "I'll be donating my first-round prize money to LA wildfire relief funds.

"It's really the least I can do. Southern California is my home, and LA was my home for a long time. I'd encourage anyone who can to donate because so many people need help."

The fires, which have raged for over a week, were exacerbated by hurricane-force winds, leaving two dozen people dead and vast areas destroyed.

Fritz's contribution follows similar gestures from fellow players, including Madison Keys, Coco Gauff, and Jessica Pegula.

Keys, who once lived in the LA area, donated $20,000 to the city's fire department, applauding firefighters for their tireless efforts.

"They're incredibly brave," Keys said. "It's important to support those protecting the community."

Pegula, known for her work with the dog rescue charity A Lending Paw, has been sharing resources to aid animals displaced by the wildfires.

Naomi Osaka, a Los Angeles resident representing Japan, highlighted the personal impact of the crisis earlier this week, revealing that the fires had come within three blocks of her home.