Donna Vekic pays tribute to LA wildfire victims at Australian Open, hours after coach Pam Shriver emotionally reveals urgent return home

Donna Vekic spared a thought for the Los Angeles wildfire victims after claiming victory in her 2025 Australian Open first-round encounter. Vekic's coach Pam Shriver could not attend her match in Melbourne as she is in LA tending to her family.

Hours before Vekic took to the court to begin her Australian Open campaign against Diane Parry, Shriver took to X to reveal her urgent return to Los Angeles. She praised the firefighters working relentlessly to avoid further damage and wrote:

"With @AustralianOpen start @espn & @DonnaVekic playing later today, I am back in LA helping manage my family’s needs. The MVP athletes in charge of hitting fire targets with water dumps from helicopters and planes have been showing extraordinary hand eye skills."

Vekic, who has been coached by Shriver since their meeting in 2022, lost her first three matches of the 2025 season at the United Cup and the Adelaide International. She faced Parry at the Margaret Court Arena during the morning session on Day 1 of the 2025 Australian Open, Sunday, January 12 and pulled off a 6-4, 6-4 win to earn her first win of the season.

Vekic dedicated her victory to the victims of the LA wildfire by signing the camera:

"[heart] LA"

Devastating wind-fed wildfires in Los Angeles County have killed at least 16 people, destroyed over 12,000 structures, and scorched 37,000 acres. The Palisades and Eaton Fires are the most severe, with evacuations in place and several people still missing.

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Donna Vekic reveals Margaret Court Arena at the Australian Open 2025 is one of her favorite courts on tour

Donna Vekic at the 2025 Australian Open (Image: Getty)

During the post-match interview after her win over Diane Parry, Donna Vekic was asked about her experience playing at the Australian Open after finishing as a quarterfinalist in 2023.

"Actually this is one of my favorite courts on tour. When I saw the schedule and saw I was playing here I was really happy and really excited. It’s great to be back in Australia. I’ve had some tough matches. Some good wins. Some tough losses. Hopefully it’ll be another good year for me," Vekic said.

After finishing quarterfinalist and earning her best finish in Melbourne in 2023, Vekic was ousted in the first round last year.

In the second round, the 28-year-old will face the winner between 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova and Croat qualifier Jana Fett.