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Canada’s Milos Raonic serves to Germany’s Alexander Zverev during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne

Tennis Canada announced on Wednesday that it will stand together with the global tennis community and provide support to the Australian bushfire relief efforts. The organization will donate $100 AUD for every Ace hit by a Canadian player during the Australian Open main draw in singles and doubles.

Following the devastation caused by the bushfires to land, residents and wildlife, Tennis Canada hopes these funds – along with those donated by the likes of Tennis Australia, the United States Tennis Association (USTA), the French Tennis Federation (FFT), the All-England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) and the three governing bodies of tennis: the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) – will help support the affected areas in Australia.

The funds will be donated to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund, which – as part of its wide-ranging relief efforts – is working hard to support victims at evacuation centres and recovery hubs, provide psychological first aid to reduce trauma and distress as well as emergency grants to those who have lost their homes.

Photo: Pascal Ratthe/Tennis Canada

“We have a duty as a world-wide tennis community to help our friends and colleagues in Australia,” commented Jennifer Bishop, Chair of the Board of Directors of Tennis Canada. “We are horrified by the devastation the bushfires have caused and we sincerely hope our donation can prove valuable in the efforts to ensure they subside. Tennis Canada encourages players and fans across the country to support the relief efforts in any way they can. We are proud to be part of a caring, international tennis family – one that can truly make a substantial difference and help those in need.”

During the Australian Open, Tennis Canada will use its platforms to support #Aces4BushfireRelief. Since the beginning of the 2020 season, Tennis Australia, the ATP and WTA tours, as well as many tennis players have been using the hashtag to raise awareness and contribute to the cause.

To find out more about the Australian bushfire relief efforts, please visit redcross.org.au/tennis.

(Feature photo: AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

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