Following her victory in the first round of the Australian Open, tennis sensation Coco Gauff took a moment to acknowledge the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles that have been causing widespread devastation. Firefighters are currently facing a critical phase in their nearly weeklong battle against the deadly blazes raging across LA County. While progress has been reported by the firefighting crews, officials are cautioning that the fire threat remains very high, especially with dangerous winds expected to return this week.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Gauff managed to secure a convincing win over her compatriot Sofia Kenin with a score of 6-3 6-3 on Sunday. As she exited the court, Gauff left a heartfelt message on a camera lens, expressing her support for Los Angeles and gratitude towards the firefighters: “Stay strong LA, thank you firefighters.”
As one of the top contenders for the Australian Open title, Gauff demonstrated her prowess on the court by swiftly dispatching what could have been a tricky opening round opponent. Reflecting on her performance, Gauff remarked, “It was a tough match for me today. I knew going in it was going to be difficult, but I’m happy with how I played.”
