Sydney (AFP)
The tennis world, which traditionally begins its season in Australia, will raise funds for the victims of the fires in the island continent, after a call to that effect Thursday from the local player Nick Kyrgios.
"Come on @TennisAustralia! We can surely organize an exhibition before the @ AustralianOpen to raise funds for the victims of the fires," tweeted the 24-year-old, best known for his blood shots on the courts, which earned him a suspended 16-week suspension in late September.
In the aftermath, the boss of the Australian Federation (Tennis Australia) Craig Tiley announced the organization of "a number of fundraisers and support operations during the ATP Cup, the Australian Open ( January 20 - February 2) and other events in the coming weeks ".
Since the start of the fire season in early September, at least 18 people have died in Australia and thousands more have had to vacate their homes due to the rising flames.
The fires are the subject of major discussions before the ATP Cup, team competition which begins Friday in Brisbane (East), Perth (West) and Sydney (Southeast), whose air is polluted by a cloud of toxic smoke caused by these fires.
The organizers have announced that medical experts will monitor the playing conditions and that the matches will be suspended if necessary.
"We are of course concerned about this (the fires), but we are all ready to play," said Bulgarian captain Grigor Dimitrov.
"For the moment, we haven't suffered that much from the air quality. I think it should be good for the matches," added Belgian David Goffin.
World number 2 Novak Djokovic, who will play the group stage in Brisbane with Serbia, sent a message of support on Twitter after visiting a sanctuary for koalas.
"It is very sad to know that people and animals have lost their homes in the fires. My thoughts and support go out to all the victims," he wrote.
© 2020 AFP