Serena Williams recently won her first title since 2017. Her victory at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand was her 73rd singles career title. The 38-year-old expressed her delight at finally lifting a trophy since her comeback in 2018. She also promptly said that she would donate her prize money from the tournament towards relief efforts in Australia. Ashleigh Barty had pledged to donate the prize money she would earn in the Brisbane International for both her singles and doubles matches.
Serena donates prize money
The country has experienced devastating wildfires which have resulted in the loss of 27 human lives while millions of wild animals have also perished. Serena revealed that she was distraught by the current situation in Australia. After winning the tournament in Auckland, she said that she would donate her $43,000 prize money to relief efforts in Australia. “I decided at the beginning of the tournament, every match I played I’d donate a dress and I’d also donate all my prize money for a great cause.”Her contribution will not end there. Serena will play in a charity tournament dubbed the Australian Open Rally for Relief. The event will take place on January 15th. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will also participate. The former world number one said she was deeply fond of Australia. She has won seven Australian Open titles in her career.
Other players contribute towards relief efforts
Maria Sharapova also donated $17,400 dollars to the relief efforts. The tennis world has come together to support Australia, especially since the Australian Open begins on 20th January. Tournament director, Craig Tiley has expressed his sympathies with the ongoing situation in the country. “This unprecedented bushfire crisis is devastating people, properties, communities, livestock, and animals across the country and our hearts go out to all those affected.”
With the tournament fast approaching, Serena will be competing for her 24th Grand Slam champion. She will hope to tie Margret Court’s record after failing to do so in the past two Grand Slam tournaments. The 38-year-old made it to the final at Wimbledon and the US Open but fell short on both occasions. She lost to Simona Halep at Wimbledon before losing to Bianca Andreescu last September. After her victory in Auckland, she said that she had not lost belief in her abilities. “You have to be your biggest cheerleader, even if you are doing everything right but things aren’t working out for you.”
Barty in Adelaide, ranking, and results in 2020
Currently ranked no.1, Barty has a 1-1 win-loss record in 2020. Barty is playing at the moment in Adelaide where she bested Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 4-6 6-3 7-5.
The Australian won 7 titles in her career: 3 on hard courts, 1 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 2 on grass courts. (See the list of her titles)
Serena Williams’s ranking and performance in 2020
At the moment ranked no.9, the American played her last match on the 12th of January when she defeated Jessica Pegula 6-3 6-4 in the final in Auckland to win her 72nd career title.
Presently, this year Serena has a 5-0 win-loss record. Serena clinched 1 title in Auckland.
Ashleigh Barty and Serena Williams played each other 2 times. The head to head is 2-0 for Williams.
The last time that they competed against each other, Serena Williams won 3-6 6-3 6-4 in the 2nd round in Paris (French Open) in May 2018.
Ashleigh Barty and Serena Williams |
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