MELBOURNE, Australia — During her recent match at the Australian Open, tennis player Donna Vekic expressed her solidarity with her coach, Pam Shriver, and others affected by the severe wildfires impacting Los Angeles. After securing a victory against Diane Parry from France with scores of 6-4, 6-4 in the tournament’s opening round, Vekic took a moment to draw a heart and write “LA” in blue ink on a nearby television camera, showcasing her support for the community in distress.

Vekic, who has had a successful year including reaching the semifinals at Wimbledon last July and earning a silver medal for Croatia at the Paris Olympics last August, utilized the unique opportunity provided to players on larger courts. Athletes are often encouraged to express themselves creatively on the camera lenses during events. Vekic decided to share positive thoughts for California, where she had trained with Shriver just two weeks prior to the fires’ devastation.

Reflecting on the situation, Vekic stated, “We were just there two weeks ago. So I really cannot believe what’s happening.” She has been in regular contact with Shriver, a former player celebrated for winning 21 Grand Slam doubles titles and achieving a career-high singles ranking of No. 3.

“It’s a very difficult situation for her,” Vekic noted regarding Shriver’s circumstances. “She’s home in L.A. Her house is OK for now, but so many have lost everything, and it’s a horrible situation.” Vekic’s heartfelt gesture illustrates not only her concern for Shriver but also a broader empathy for those enduring hardships due to the wildfires in California.