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Tennis Australia's superb response to Nick Kyrgios bushfire appeal

Nick Kyrgios called on Tennis Australia to dig deep in the nations’s time of need, as bushfires devastate livelihoods and communities around the country.

On Friday, the governing body of Australian Tennis answered the call.

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Krygios' plans for a massive fundraising effort for bushfire victims has resulted in a tennis exhibition match set to feature some of the world's top players.

The 24-year-old kicked off a flood of donations to the fundraising campaign from sporting names around Australia, including American NBL star LaMelo Ball.

Kyrgios floated the idea of a charity tennis match and Tennis Australia on Friday responded by announcing a "Rally for Relief" exhibition match on Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday Jan 15.

They will also donate proceeds from a Jessica Mauboy concert on January 19 to the Red Cross appeal and grant $1m for communities to rebuild tennis facilities.

TA chief executive and Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said the players to take part in the exhibition would be announced in coming days.

The world's top two players, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, are currently in Australia, preparing for the grand slam tournament.

Seen here, Nick Kyrgios has instigated a big fundraising appeal for bushfire victims.
Nick Kyrgios' fundraising appeal for bushfire victims has been given strong support. Pic: Getty

"We are working closely with the top players and have already had a great response, with many of them keen to help this incredibly important cause," Tiley said.

Kyrgios already put his hand in his pocket, pledging $200 for each ace he served across the Australian summer of tennis.

It didn’t take him long to get the ball rolling, with Kyrgios sending down multiple aces in the opening games of Australia’s ATP Cup opener against Germany on Friday evening.

Fellow Australian players Alex de Minaur, John Millman, Dylan Alcott and Samantha Stosur, among others, also vowed to donate money from their aces while the ATP Cup also got on board.

The tournament announced that for every ace served over the next 10 days across the three venues they will send $100 to the Australian Red Cross, with the final figure expected to surpass $150,000.

NBA-bound Ball, who plays for the Illawarra Hawks, pledged to donate one month of his NBL salary to help victims of the devastating fires.

"It's sad to see what is happening on the south coast of Australia," Ball said in a statement.

"People have lost their homes and everything they own. My parents taught me to help out wherever I can, so this is my way of helping out."

Cricket stars pledge support for bushfire relief

Big Bash League captains, Brisbane Heat's Chris Lynn and Melbourne Stars' Glenn Maxwell as well as Hurricanes batsman D'Arcy Short, have all pledged $250 for each six they hit in the competition.

Pictured here, Glenn Maxwell will donate $250 per six for the bushfire appeal.
Glenn Maxwell is among the BBL stars pledging $250 for every six he hits in the competition. Pic: Getty

As a mark of respect there will be no fireworks at Saturday's Melbourne BBL derby, where Renegades jerseys will be auctioned off.

Former Australian baseballer Simone Wearne kickstarted a campaign to donate for every home run hit in the Australian softball championships and a number of WNBL players have also got in on the act.

"It is special to see so many athletes from various sports getting in behind the real heroes who are fighting to save lives and properties around our country," Lynn tweeted.

Australia's cricketers will auction off signed shirts from the Boxing Day Test while Cricket Australia will throw open the gates to firefighters during two SCG one-dayers against New Zealand in March, also using the trans-Tasman series as a fundraising drive.

Melbourne A-League clubs - Victory, City and Western United - will also donate $2 from every ticket sold to their matches this weekend.