An emotional Serena Williams has donated her US$43,000 winner’s cheque from the WTA Auckland Classic to the Australian bushfire relief fund.
It was the 38-year-old Williams first tournament victory in three years, but she tempered celebrations by saying her thoughts were with Australians.
The victory gave Serena Williams her 73rd WTA title and broke a near three-year drought, despite having appeared in five finals since she clinched her 23rd Grand Slam crown with a win at the Australian Open.
Williams is chasing Australian Margaret Court’s record 24 Grand Slam singles titles, but has lost two Wimbledon and two U.S. Open finals since her 6-4 6-4 victory over elder sister Venus in Melbourne.
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