World No.1 Ash Barty will be the first woman on Pat Rafter Arena this week as the Brisbane tournament director defended the event from player criticism.
An Australian Open wildcard is set to cheer up Maria Sharapova after a shock Brisbane International first-round loss compounded a horror grand slam build-up.
Discussions are well advanced for an ATP Cup-style tournament for women next year to be called the WTA Cup.
The five-time grand slam champion says retirement was never on her radar despite a persistent shoulder complaint that limited her appearances last year.
Ash Barty:the world No. 1"outthinking her opponents instead of relying on power". Plus:Steve Smith and Craig Foster.
The name of the first-round opponent for six-time US Open champion Serena Williams was unmistakable. An old foe and,frankly,a bitter rival:Maria Sharapova.
Anti-doping rules are written so that it's not necessary to prove intent when a banned substance is detected. So we should hit pause before labelling athletes'cheats'.
Eyebrows were raised when the Ashleigh Barty-Maria Sharapova blockbuster was scheduled for the middle of the day,which suits the Australian's game,but her quarter-final is on at night.
Maria Sharapova was booed after returning from a seven-minute toilet break,but Ash Barty was unfazed by the interruption as she felled the 2008 champion.
Injury threatens to undermine Ashleigh Barty's Australian Open title push after the great home hope pulled out the women's doubles with an abdominal strain.
The first major upset of this year's Australian Open has taken place after former champion Maria Sharapova shocked defending champion Caroline Wozniacki in three sets on centre court.