Tennis

February 2021

Djokovic’s mental strength paves the way to ninth Australian title

As he edged another punishing backhand duel with Daniil Medvedev, one that put him to within a game of his ninth Australian Open title, Novak Djokovic raised his hands to his temples for the crowd to see.

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Novak Djokovic cruises to ninth Australian Open with classy display to beat Daniil Medvedev

Novak Djokovic remains the king of Melbourne Park after clinching a ninth Australian Open title with a comfortable victory over Daniil Medvedev.

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Osaka struggles before she soars to greatness

In the midst of this unending pandemic and a scattered, disjointed 12 months of tennis, there has been one consistent sight throughout: Naomi Osaka exhibiting her greatness under suffocating pressure.

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Pressure is on Djokovic in final, claims Medvedev

In the short term, Daniil Medvedev’s 6-4, 6-2, 7-5 win over Stefanos Tsitsipas proved to be a disappointingly drama-free affair. But at least it throws up the possibility of a finely balanced men’s final tomorrow.

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Saluting Serena’s exit throws up major questions over her future

Serena Williams has been eliminated from ten grand-slam tournaments since she last won a title – a sequence stretching back more than two-and-a-half years. But she has rarely been as emotional as she was after yesterday’s straight-sets Australian Open loss to Naomi Osaka.

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Emotional Serena Williams walks out of post-match press conference in tears after defeat in Australian Open

Serena Williams bid a tearful farewell to the Australian Open amid questions about whether she may have played at the tournament for the last time.

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Karolina Muchova stuns favourite Ashleigh Barty with sensational comeback in Australian Open

Karolina Muchova stunned world number one Ashleigh Barty with a sensational comeback sparked by a medical time-out to progress into the Australian Open semi-finals following a 1-6 6-3 6-2 win.

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Djokovic sparks to life after furiously smashing his racquet

A furious racquet smash from Novak Djokovic was the spur for a dramatic quarter-final comeback, as the world No1 rallied from an unpromising position to beat Alexander Zverev by a 6-7, 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 margin.

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Nadal takes another step in his quest for record 21st Grand Slam

Rafael Nadal looks to be peaking at the right time after brushing aside Fabio Fognini to reach the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.

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Rafa Nadal overcomes Norrie challenge to make Australian Open last 16

Second seed Rafa Nadal overcame some stiff early resistance from Britain's Cameron Norrie before easing into the fourth round of the Australian Open with a 7-5 6-2 7-5 victory on Saturday.

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Novak Djokovic's Australian Open tilt in doubt as he skips training with 'muscle tear'

World number one Novak Djokovic skipped practice on Saturday after suffering what he described as a "muscle tear" as the wait continued over the defending Australian Open champion's ability to contest his fourth round match.

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Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open bid in jeopardy after stomach muscle injury

Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open hopes are in the balance due to a torn stomach muscle.

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Australian Open to continue without fans as Melbourne goes back into lockdown

The Australian Open will continue without fans for the next five days after Melbourne was placed in a lockdown.

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Kyrgios serves up a treat after overcoming ‘dark thoughts’

“That is the best tennis has sounded since the pandemic.” So said Jim Courier, the on-court interviewer, as he spoke to Nick Kyrgios at the end of an electric five-setter that has ignited the Australian Open.

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Novak Djokovic forced to battle for second round win at Australian Open

Novak Djokovic came through his first major test at the Australian Open against American powerhouse Frances Tiafoe.

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Rafael Nadal dismisses fears over back problem to ease into second round

Rafael Nadal allayed fears over a back problem with a straightforward victory against Laslo Djere in the first round of the Australian Open.

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'This is my favourite court to play on' - Coco Gauff glides into Australian Open second round

American teenager Coco Gauff said she felt right at home among her spectator contemporaries on the John Cain Arena court on Tuesday as she knocked out Jil Teichmann 6-3 6-2 to glide into the second round of the Australian Open.

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Serena looks to Flo-Jo for inspiration as she opens her Australian quest with straightforward victory

Serena Williams took just 56 minutes to dispose of Laura Siegemund in Melbourne yesterday, but the debate around her choice of outfit will last considerably longer.

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'A heck of a tennis player but someone who's partying with his shirt off during a global pandemic' – Kyrgios' fresh rant at Djokovic

Nick Kyrgios has continued his war of words with Novak Djokovic, after suggesting he 'doesn't need to take advice from someone who's partying with his shirt off during a global pandemic'.

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Australian Open under way as Serena and Osaka ease into second round

Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka made flying starts to their Australian Open campaigns.

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January 2021

'I was playing computer games... I didn't really miss the game at all' - Why Nick Kyrgios stopped playing tennis in quarantine

Nick Kyrgios says he did not miss tennis at all during almost a year away from competitive action.

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Crowds of up to 30,000 allowed to watch Australian Open next month

Crowds of up to 30,000 will be allowed to watch next month's Australian Open in Melbourne, Victoria's sports minister has confirmed.

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'Djokovic is our LeBron James but we have to call him out sometimes' - Nick Kyrgios

Nick Kyrgios has likened Novak Djokovic to NBA player LeBron James in his influence both on and off the court but says he had a duty to call out the world number one when he "lost his way" during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Extra WTA event added in Australia

Organisers of the Australian Open have added an extra women's warm-up event for players who have been unable to train.

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Andy Murray pulls out of Australian Open having failing to find 'workable quarantine' after Covid recovery

Andy Murray will miss the Australian Open having failed to find a “workable quarantine” after he recovered from coronavirus.

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Djokovic says Aussie Open demands were misinterpreted

World No 1 Novak Djokovic has defended himself against charges of insensitivity towards the people of Melbourne, claiming that his much-criticised letter to Tennis Australia had been "misconstrued".

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Three more positive Covid 19 cases including two players linked to Australian Open arrivals

Ten people who have flown to Melbourne for the Australian Open have tested positive to coronavirus, authorities said.

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New Covid 19 cases linked to Australian Open participants as tournament hit by series of rows

Australian Open boss Craig Tiley said on Tuesday most players supported being locked down in hard quarantine as a government official reported three new cases of COVID-19 might be linked to participants of the Grand Slam.

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Djokovic's mask slips again in Australian Open gaffe

Sympathy has rarely turned to disdain with such speed as it has in Australia, where the 'poor-me' attitude of the world's tennis players has incensed local residents and politicians alike.

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'There’s no special treatment here' - Novak Djokovic comes under fire for Australian Open demands

Tennis players stuck in isolation in their Melbourne hotel rooms will not be given any special treatment, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has said.