Federer, Serena among headliners of charity event for Australia bushfires

Roger Federer, Serena Williams, and several other of tennis' biggest stars will participate in a charity event in Australia on Jan. 15 to assist bushfire relief efforts in the country, Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley confirmed to The Sydney Morning Herald's Peter Ryan.

"Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Caroline Wozniacki, Nick Kyrgios, Stefanos Tsitsipas have all agreed to participate on Wednesday night," Tiley said.

The event, dubbed "Rally for Relief," will take place at Rod Laver Arena, the main venue for the Australian Open. The year's first Grand Slam will commence its first-round matches days later on Jan. 18.

Tiley says Tennis Australia plans to add more of the sport's top athletes to the fundraiser's growing lineup.

"We will be over the coming days announce additional players," he said. "We'll be trying to get more out onto the court. ... We hope to raise as much money as possible."

The bushfires in Australia have spread to 8.4 million hectares across the country and are believed to be responsible for the deaths of 25 people, according to The Guardian's Ben Butler.

Athletes in other sports as well as several celebrities have pledged millions in financial support toward relief and recovery efforts.