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Williams joins in bushfires fundraising

3 minute read

Caroline Wozniacki, Serena Williams and coach Patrick Mouratoglou have joined those raising funds for Australian bushfires relief.

SERENA WILLIAMS of The United States.
SERENA WILLIAMS of The United States. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Serena Williams and her mentor Patrick Mouratoglou, as well as fellow star Caroline Wozniacki, have teamed up to raise funds for Australian bushfire relief.

Williams and Mouratoglou are in Auckland to prepare for the Australian Open, where the 23-time major winner is the top seed at the ASB Classic.

The tournament is offering a string of seats to the quarter finals, semi-finals and final, with proceeds heading to Australian Red Cross.

Williams has offered a match-worn and signed outfit, and has also signed a tennis ball with Auckland doubles partner Wozniacki to the cause.

Another unique opportunity for a cashed-up Kiwi - a coaching clinic by Mouratoglou - is currently going for a song.

The Greek, who has coached Williams to her last ten grand slam titles, has offered an hour-long on-court session for up to four people on Saturday morning to the winning bidder.

As of Friday lunchtime it was attracting a price of just NZ$530 (A$511), ahead of the 4pm AEDT cutoff.

Mouratoglou, who also assists countryman Stefanos Tsitsipas and Australian Alexei Popyrin, said the coaching clinic was a "great initiative" from tournament organisers.

The 49-year-old was aghast to land in New Zealand earlier in the week and find smoke from the bushfires was impacting air quality.

"Smoke from Australia's fires flew 3000 km to Auckland today and it felt like it was night at 3pm," he Tweeted on Monday.

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