Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova, who is in Thailand to play an exhibition match against Venus Williams, plans to donate US$10,000 to victims of the tsunami disaster in southern Thailand, said a Thai tennis official.
The world no. 4 and Wimbledon champion is scheduled to play Williams, the former world no. 1, in the northern province of Chiang Mai on Sunday. Williams arrives in Thailand later on Thursday.
"Sharapova and Venus come here not only to show their tennis talent but to help regain the reputation of local tourism. Their presence in Thailand could render moral support to victims of the tragedy," said Suwat Liptapunlop, president of the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand, Wednesday.
Sharapova was expected to announce the donation, which Suwat confirmed, at a press conference on Thursday.
The two tennis stars will also act as presenters in a Thai tourism promotion video.
They had been scheduled to join Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for a New Year's Eve countdown party but this was cancelled after the government announced the country should abstain from celebrations as it mourned victims of the tragedy.
More than 1,800 Thais and foreign tourists are confirmed to have died and the death toll is expected to climb.