Tennis greats Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal will headline an exhibition match ahead of the Australian Open. The exhibition match at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena will raise money for bushfire relief.

Tennis Australia announced that the match is slated for January 15, the week before the first Grand Slam of the year.
 
Vast wildfires continue to burn across eastern Australia. 25 people have been killed since the start of the disaster in September and destroyed more than 1,800 homes.

Milder conditions are providing a reprieve for firefighters, although more dangerous weather is forecast for later in the week.

There have been fears that smoke haze could affect the Australian Open, but Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley said this was unlikely.
       

 Meanwhile, five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova was handed an Australian Open wildcard as she attempts to resurrect her career after an injury-plagued 2019.