Wellington, January 12: An emotional Serena Williams on Sunday donated her $43,000 winner's cheque after winning the WTA Auckland Classic title to the Australian bushfire relief fund.

It was Williams' first tournament victory since 2017 -- and her first as a mother -- as she had won the Australian Open while pregnant. Serena Williams Ends 3-Year Title Drought With WTA Auckland Classic 2020 Victory.

Besides donating her winner's cheque, Williams also signed the dress she wore in the first round in Auckland and has put it up for auction to raise funds for the bushfire victims.

On Sunday, Serena overcame a slow start to defeat Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-4 in the summit clash of the WTA Auckland Classic.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 12, 2020 03:31 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).