Donna Vekic begins her 2025 season without a key member of her team, as devastating wildfires in Southern California have forced Pam Shriver, her adviser and coach, to remain stateside.

The deadly fires have ravaged the Los Angeles area since Tuesday, burning more than 38,000 acres, killing 16 people and forcing nearly 180,000 residents to evacuate. According to media estimates, over 12,000 structures have been destroyed or damaged.

Shriver, an International Tennis Hall of Famer who has worked with Vekic since 2022, shared the news on social media, explaining her decision to stay home to manage family responsibilities.

“The MVP athletes in charge of hitting fire targets with water dumps from helicopters and planes have been showing extraordinary hand-eye skills,” she wrote.

The former doubles World No.1 and all those affected were top of mind for Vekic, the Olympic silver medalist, on Sunday on Day 1 of the Australian Open after her 6-4, 6-4 victory over France's Diane Parry, her first win of the season.

"It's a very difficult situation for her," the No.18 seed Vekic said in her postmatch press conference.  "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 also sent a message of love to the city on court after her win, writing "LA" and a heart on a television camera lens.

"We were doing our preseason in L.A. this year, so we were just there two weeks ago," Vekic said, "so I really cannot believe what's happening. We are very sad that she's not here with us ... We really miss her here. We are in touch daily, and I hope everything will be OK."

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Other Hologic WTA Tour stars, including Coco Gauff, Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula, have lent their voices to the chorus sharing resources to service those affected.

“I would like to send my thoughts and prayers to all of those affected by this fire,” Gauff said in advance of the start of the tournament, lending her voice to Tennis Channel's relief efforts in partnership with The Salvation Army. “Send[ing] my biggest thank you to firefighters and first responders who are out there fighting these fires, especially the incarcerated firefighters who aren’t getting paid as much. We appreciate you and we love you.

"Stay strong, Southern California. Just know I’ll be there to support, donate and help rebuild.”

Pegula, founder of the dog rescue charity A Lending Paw, has been sharing ways to help the hundreds of animals displaced by the fires among the information she's been passing along to her online followers.

After beating Pegula to win the season-opening Adelaide International, one-time L.A. area resident Keys announced she is donating $20,000 to the city's fire department "in support of the incredibly brave firefighters working tirelessly to protect the community" and to assist in their efforts.

Keys also said that her own charity, the Kindness Wins Foundation, is exploring further ways to help with the area's eventual recovery and rebuilding.

"I am heartbroken by the devastation being caused by the fires in Los Angeles, a place I once called home early in my tennis career," Keys wrote on Instagram. "My thoughts are with all the families affected. Please stay safe."