During her recent Australian Open match, Donna Vekic made her feelings clear. After defeating Diane Parry of France with a score of 6-4, 6-4, she took a moment to send a message. She drew a heart and wrote “LA” in blue ink on a television camera. This small act showed her solidarity with her coach, Pam Shriver, and the many people affected by the disaster.
A stellar year for Vekic
Vekic’s message comes after a stellar year. She reached the Wimbledon semifinals last July. In August, she won a silver medal for Croatia at the Paris Olympics. Now, she’s using her platform to highlight California’s struggles. On larger courts, players often leave messages on camera lenses. Vekic seized this chance to send positive energy to Los Angeles. She trained there with Pam Shriver just two weeks before the fires started.
Reflecting on the wildfires
Speaking about the situation, Vekic said, “We were just there two weeks ago. So I really cannot believe what’s happening.” She has stayed in close contact with Shriver throughout the crisis. Shriver, a tennis legend with 21 Grand Slam doubles titles and a career-high singles ranking of No. 3, is deeply affected.
“It’s a very difficult situation for her,” Vekic explained. “She’s home in L.A. Her house is OK for now, but so many have lost everything. It’s a horrible situation.”
This heartfelt gesture highlights Vekic’s empathy. Her concern extends beyond her coach to all those suffering in California. Her actions on and off the court show her as a true champion, both in sports and in spirit.
