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American tennis great Serena Williams is asking what else she can do to help raise money for the Australian bushfire relief.

Serena Williams is auctioning a signed dress but the tennis superstar says she wants to do more to aid the Australian bushfire relief.

American legend Williams said she feels helpless when she hears about the impact of the fires on a country she has an affinity with and where she will play this month in pursuit of grand slam history.

In the wake of her second-round win at Auckland's ASB Classic on Thursday, Williams confirmed she had placed a playing dress she wore this week on a Kiwi internet auction website. An early bid of $NZ1500 ($A1450) had been made.

She indicated she was open to other fundraising ideas.

"To me it means the world. I have so many friends in Australia and it's just been really tragic all around," she said.

"I just keep asking every day to people back home or in Australia, what can I do? Is there anything I can do? It's literally devastating for me and I'm sure a lot of other people feel the same way."

Williams, 38, can secure a record-equalling 24th grand slam title if victorious at the Australian Open in Melbourne for an eighth time.

Meanwhile, Auckland tournament organisers have auctioned a number of centre court seats, with those proceeds also going to the Australian Red Cross.