Australian men’s tennis,not for the first time,is leaving its demon to battle alone.
After winning his first round match,Alexander Zverev said he had no reason to stand aside from an ATP leadership role,and he believed he had the confidence of his tennis colleagues to continue.
Majors are cruel. Like Botic van de Zandschulp’s serve to Australian Open fancy Jannik Sinner in the first set,his campaign was over before it began. The Italian,who Australian hope Alex de Minaur is yet to beat in six attempts,was in ominous touch.
Twenty-one local hopes,headlined by Alex de Minaur,will contest this year’s Australian Open,after three managed to scrap their way through the qualifying rounds on Friday.
He’s the first Australian man in two decades to break into the world’s top 10. It started with a decision 12 years ago that brought tears to his eyes.
The science of tennis balls has again entered the mainstream after Thanasi Kokkinakis said the balls at the Adelaide International were “lemons”.
Novak Djokovic,the king of Melbourne Park,has returned to centre court showing no apparent signs of his wrist complaint ahead of his shot at an 11th Australian Open.
Grigor Dimitrov has won his first title in nearly seven years,while Elena Rybakina has declared her intention on returning to Queensland in a bid to defend her crown.
Spanish icon Rafael Nadal may never play in Australia again after withdrawing from this year’s Australian Open with a new injury.
Rafael Nadal can’t guarantee he will take his place in the Australian Open next Sunday after a hip problem emerged during his loss to Jordan Thompson at the Brisbane International.
Rafael Nadal issued his most ominous statement yet in his comeback in Brisbane,as he prepares to face another Australian. But the champion believes the nation’s prospects are changing.