Croatian tennis player Donna Vekic sends a message of love to LA because of the wildfires

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MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australian Open tennis player Donna Vekic sent a message of support to her coach, Pam Shriver, and others in the greater Los Angeles area dealing with the wildfires ravaging the city — drawing a heart and writing “LA” in blue ink on a courtside TV camera after a victory on Sunday.

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This article was published 12/01/2025 (262 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australian Open tennis player Donna Vekic sent a message of support to her coach, Pam Shriver, and others in the greater Los Angeles area dealing with the wildfires ravaging the city — drawing a heart and writing “LA” in blue ink on a courtside TV camera after a victory on Sunday.

Vekic, who reached Wimbledon’s semifinals last July and won a silver medal at the Paris Olympics for Croatia last August, defeated Diane Parry of France 6-4, 6-4 in the first round of this season’s first Grand Slam tournament.

Players on bigger courts at various tennis tournaments often are handed a pen and encouraged to write something on the lens of a television camera. Vekic used the opportunity at the Australian Open to offer good vibes to California, where she trained with Shriver during her sport’s just-concluded preseason.

Donna Vekic of Croatia plays a forehand return to Diane Parry of France during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
Donna Vekic of Croatia plays a forehand return to Diane Parry of France during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

“We were just there two weeks ago,” Vekic said. “So I really cannot believe what’s happening.”

She said she is in touch daily with Shriver, who won 21 Grand Slam titles in doubles and reached No. 3 in singles as a player.

“It’s a very difficult situation for her,” Vekic said. “She’s home in L.A. Her house is OK for now, but so many have lost everything, and it’s a horrible situation.”

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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

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