Vekic, Keys and Pegula lead WTA support amid Los Angeles wildfires

Donna Vekic begins her 2025 season without a key member of her team as devastating wildfires in Southern California have forced Pam Shriver, her advisor and coach, to remain stateside.

The deadly fires have ravaged the Los Angeles area since Tuesday, burning more than 38,000 acres, killing 16 people and forcing nearly 180,000 residents to evacuate. According to media estimates, over 12,000 structures have been destroyed or damaged.

Shriver, an International Tennis Hall of Famer who has worked with Vekic since 2022, shared the news on social media, explaining her decision to stay home to handle family commitments.

“The MVP athletes responsible for hitting fire targets with water tankers from helicopters and airplanes have shown extraordinary hand-eye skills,” she wrote.

The former doubles world no. 1 and all concerned were top of mind for Vekic, the Olympic silver medalist, on Sunday on Day 1 of the Australian Open after her 6-4, 6-4 victory over France’s Diane Parry, her first win of the season.

“It’s a very difficult situation for her,” said No.18 seed Vekic in his post-match press conference. “She’s home in LA. Her house is OK for now, but so many people have lost everything and it’s a terrible situation.

Vekic also sent a message of love to the city on the court after her victory, writing “LA” and a heart on a television camera lens.

“We did our preseason in LA this year, so we were just there two weeks ago,” Vekic said, “so I really can’t believe what’s happening. We’re very sad that she’s not here with us … We really miss her. Here we are in contact daily and I hope everything is okay.”

Other Hologic WTA Tour stars, including Coco Gauff, Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula, have lent their voices to the choir, which shares resources to serve those affected.

“I want to send my thoughts and prayers to all those affected by this fire,” Gauff said prior to the start of the tournament. to lend his voice to Tennis Channel’s relief efforts in collaboration with the Salvation Army. “Sending my biggest thanks to the firefighters and first responders who are out there fighting these fires, especially the incarcerated firefighters who don’t get paid as much. We appreciate you and we love you.

“Stay strong Southern California. Just know I’ll be there to support, donate and help rebuild.”

Pegula, the founder of the dog rescue organization A Lending Paw, has shared ways to help the hundreds of animals displaced by the fires, among the information she has shared with her online followers.

After beating Pegula to win the season-opening Adelaide International, Keys, a onetime LA-area resident, announced she was donating $20,000 to the city’s fire department “in support of the incredibly brave firefighters who work tirelessly to protect the community” and to help with their efforts.

Keys also said her own charity, the Kindness Wins Foundation, is exploring additional ways to help with the area’s eventual recovery and rebuilding.

“I am devastated by the devastation caused by the fires in Los Angeles, a place I once called home early in my tennis career,” Keys wrote on Instagram. “My thoughts go out to all the families affected. Stay safe.”