Roger Federer, Serena Williams and More Join Exhibition Match to Raise Money for Australia's Bushfire Relief

With heavy bushfires continuing to plague Australia, the country’s tennis association Tennis Australia has organized an exhibition match in order to raise funds for bushfire relief.

Named the Australian Open Rally for Relief, the event will take place five days before the year’s first Grand Slam, and the proceeds from ticket sales will go towards the efforts in fighting the bushfire crisis. Among the players taking part are world champions Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams, first Asian world champion Naomi Osaka, as well as Caroline Wozniacki, Nick Kyrgios, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and more.

On top of the fundraising event, Tennis Australia has also pledged to donate $100 AUD (roughly $69 USD) for ever ace served during the ATP Cup in Brisbane, Perth, and Sydney. A range of other professional players have also pledged similar donations, including ex-world number one and current world number two player Karolina Pliskova.

The Australian Open Rally for Relief will take place January 15 in Melbourne, and tickets are currently on sale. Head over to Ticket Master to book yours now.

Elsewhere in sports, the XFL has announced its rules for the 2020 season.

So excited to announce the world’s best players will be at AO Rally for Relief.

Grab your tickets to see @rogerfederer, @RafaelNadal, @serenawilliams, @naomiosaka, @CaroWozniacki, @NickKyrgios, @StefTsitsipas and more!#Aces4BushfireRelief https://t.co/ioWWblwN3E pic.twitter.com/TsS2sQXIbb

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 8, 2020