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Australian Open Day 1 Order of Play
Nadal and Federer take the court, along with plenty of other big names on Day 1 down under. Let's get this party started! Here is the Australian Open Day 1 Order of Play.
Rod Laver Arena
M. Sharapova (30) versus H. Dart (Q) Women's Singles 1st Round
J. Duckworth (WC) versus R. Nadal (2) Men's Singles 1st Round
P. Hercog versus A. Kerber (2) Women's Singles 1st Round
NOT BEFORE 7 PM
A. Van Uytvanck versus C. Wozniacki (3) Women's Singles 1st Round
D. Istomin versus R. Federer (3) Men's Singles 1st Round
Margaret Court Arena
J. Goerges (14) versus D. Collins Women's Singles 1st Round
S. Stephens (5) versus T. Townsend Women's Singles 1st Round
NOT BEFORE 3 PM
A. de Minaur (27) versus P. Sousa Men's Singles 1st Round
NOT BEFORE 7 PM
A. Barty (15) versus L. Kumkhum Women's Singles 1st Round
M. Cilic (6) versus B. Tomic Men's Singles 1st Round
Melbourne Arena
K. Anderson (5) versus A. Mannarino Men's Singles 1st Round
M. Sakkari versus J. Ostapenko (22) Women's Singles 1st Round
K. Edmund (13) versus T. Berdych Men's Singles 1st Round
NOT BEFORE 6 PM
R. Bautista Agut (22) versus A. Murray Men's Singles 1st Round
NOT BEFORE 7 PM
P. Kvitova (8) versus M. Rybarikova Women's Singles 1st Round
1573 Arena
J. Ponchet (Q) versus C. Garcia (19) Women's Singles 1st Round
G. Dimitrov (20) versus J. Tipsarevic Men's Singles 1st Round
A. Riske versus K. Bertens (9) Women's Singles 1st Round
NOT BEFORE 5 PM
M. Ebden versus J. Struff Men's Singles 1st Round
Court 3
A. Kalinskaya (Q) versus A. Sabalenka (11) Women's Singles 1st Round
S. Tsitsipas (14) versus M. Berrettini Men's Singles 1st Round
E. Perez (WC) versus Y. Wang Women's Singles 1st Round
F. Lopez versus J. Thompson Men's Singles 1st Round
Court 5
C. Eubanks (Q) versus N. Basilashvili (19) Men's Singles 1st Round
M. Puig versus A. Pavlyuchenkova Women's Singles 1st Round
Y. Putintseva versus B. Strycova (32) Women's Singles 1st Round
I. Begu versus A. Petkovic Women's Singles 1st Round
Court 7
A. Sharma (Q) versus P. Hon (WC) Women's Singles 1st Round
P. Badosa Gibert (Q) versus K. Birrell (WC) Women's Singles 1st Round
P. Gojowczyk versus K. Khachanov (10) Men's Singles 1st Round
F. Delbonis versus J. Millman Men's Singles 1st Round
Court 8
D. Vekic (29) versus K. Mladenovic Women's Singles 1st Round
B. Mattek-Sands versus Z. Hives (WC) Women's Singles 1st Round
R. Opelka versus J. Isner (9) Men's Singles 1st Round
G. Monfils (30) versus D. Dzumhur Men's Singles 1st Round
Court 10
M. Mmoh versus R. Albot Men's Singles 1st Round
O. Jabeur versus T. Babos Women's Singles 1st Round
A. Rublev versus M. McDonald Men's Singles 1st Round
Court 12
K. Boulter versus E. Makarova Women's Singles 1st Round
B. Haddad Maia (Q) versus B. Pera Women's Singles 1st Round
M. Basic versus H. Laaksonen (Q) Men's Singles 1st Round
C. Norrie versus T. Fritz Men's Singles 1st Round
Court 13
M. Kecmanovic (Q) versus F. Verdasco (26) Men's Singles 1st Round
J. Kubler (WC) versus T. Fabbiano Men's Singles 1st Round
B. Bencic versus K. Siniakova Women's Singles 1st Round
K. Flipkens versus A. Sasnovich Women's Singles 1st Round
Court 14
H. Watson versus P. Martic (31) Women's Singles 1st Round
G. Garcia-Lopez versus R. Haase Men's Singles 1st Round
M. Polmans (WC) versus D. Kudla Men's Singles 1st Round
Court 15
S. Cirstea versus R. Peterson Women's Singles 1st Round
F. Tiafoe versus P. Gunneswaran (Q) Men's Singles 1st Round
A. Kontaveit (20) versus S. Sorribes Tormo Women's Singles 1st Round
A. Seppi versus S. Johnson (31) Men's Singles 1st Round
Court 19
Y. Bonaventure (Q) versus S. Vickery Women's Singles 1st Round
L. Tsurenko (24) versus E. Alexandrova Women's Singles 1st Round
T. Ito (Q) versus D. Evans (Q) Men's Singles 1st Round
Y. Nishioka versus T. Sandgren Men's Singles 1st Round
Court 20
M. Vondrousova versus E. Rodina Women's Singles 1st Round
P. Cuevas versus D. Lajovic Men's Singles 1st Round
R. Molleker (Q) versus D. Schwartzman (18) Men's Singles 1st Round
V. Lapko versus J. Larsson Women's Singles 1st Round
Court 22
S. Travaglia (Q) versus G. Andreozzi Men's Singles 1st Round
M. Niculescu versus A. Anisimova Women's Singles 1st Round
V. Troicki (Q) versus R. Carballes Baena Men's Singles 1st Round
Naomi Osaka Featured on the Cover of Time Magazine
The 21-year-old is featured on the January cover of Time. Naomi Osaka is Time’s cover girl for the January 21 issue, and in it she tells Time’s Sean Gregory that she still very much loves Serena Williams even after the controversial incident that the pair endured at last year’s U.S. Open final.
“Serena is Serena,” Osaka told time in her first extended interview since the final. “I didn’t experience her life. I can’t tell her what she’s supposed to do, because there are things that she’s gone through. I have nothing against her or anything. I actually still really love her.”
Osaka went on to say that she held no grudges and that after some reflection she realized that she is fine with the way things turned out.
“In a perfect dream, things would be set exactly the way you would want them,” she told Time. “But I think it’s more interesting that in real life, things aren’t exactly the way you planned. And there are certain situations that you don’t expect, but they come to you, and I think those situations set up things for further ahead.”
The article features quotes from Osaka’s sister Mari as well as her father Leonard Maxine Francios and her coach Sascha Bajin. In it we get a feel of the impact that Osaka has had on Japan, particularly with mixed race people who are inspired to see Osaka, who is Haitian and Japanese, gaining so much acclaim.
The piece also features personal notes on Osaka’s perfectionism, intensity, and her online shopping.
“She’s going crazy,” her sister says of her online shopping. “Every day is like Christmas.”
Osaka, whose endorsement earnings are rumored to have gone from approximately $2.5 million to $15 million, isn’t letting any of it go to her head.
あたらしいCM @cupnoodle_jp @keinishikori pic.twitter.com/QgK3yalYEm
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@Naomi_Osaka_) January 8, 2019
The Time Cover caption reads “Naomi Osaka defeated her idol Serena Williams, now she just might succeed her.” It’s probably a caption that makes the modest and shy 21-year-old cringe.
She offered her own version in the article, one that is more likely to be closer to the truth.
“I don’t think there is ever going to be another Serena Williams,” she told Time. “I think I’m going to be me. And I hope people are O.K. with that.”
Osaka, who fell in the semifinals of her first event of 2019 at Brisbane, is seeded fourth at the Australian Open. She will open on Tuesday against Poland’s Magda Linette in first-round action.
While we were in the process of writing and posting this article we learned of Osaka’s latest ensorsement, with All Nipon Airlines:
US Open champ @Naomi_Osaka_ signs new deal with All Nippon Airlines (ANA) @FlyANA_official. Will wear brand’s patch at all events. 4th deal since September 2018. #flyANA #NaomiOsaka #IMGTennis pic.twitter.com/3ud8Hyhuj2
— IMG Tennis (@IMGTennis) January 11, 2019
No Pain, No Expectations: Halep Heads to Melbourne
The Romanian shook off some rust against Ash Barty in Sydney but she's not in peak form ahead of the Aussie Open.
After falling in second-round action at the Sydney International to Ashleigh Barty, Simona Halep was decidedly upbeat. Not necessarily about her chances at 2019’s first Grand Slam, but that she was able to play pain-free after an offseason that was extra-long due to a back injury that plagued her at the conclusion of 2018.
“No pain at all,” Halep said after taking a 6-4 6-4 loss to the Australian World No.15. “I'm happy about that. It's a great sign. I will recover now, and I will see how I wake up tomorrow morning, because it's important.”
As far as her prospects for the year’s first major, Halep is a lot less sanguine. The Romanian, who won her first major last June at Roland Garros, says she simply hasn’t had enough time to shake the rust off to consider herself a contender at the Australian Open.
“Not really,” she said when asked if she felt like she had enough match play to feel ready for next week’s main draw play at Melbourne, “but I took the risk. I took a longer break because I needed it. Also mentally, also physically. So I have no expectations. That's why I always say because I cannot expect myself to be at the highest level in this moment, because I didn't play matches, but tennis is good, so I have just to believe in myself more.”
Head down. Back to work.
See you 🔜 @AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/qNKYJ2NN6C
— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) January 9, 2019
Halep has now lost five consecutive matches dating back to the Cincinnati final last August. She couldbe in for a difficult season now that she has parted ways with coach Darren Cahill and has yet to hire a new coach. She doesn’t plan to for several months.
When asked how it felt to be without Cahill for the first time in four years, she replied:
“Weird and tough. You know, it's a new beginning, let's say, and I will give myself a chance, a few months, just to chill on court.”
Adidas + Parley Produce Stunning Eco-Innovative Kits for Top Stars
Made from upcycled plastic waste, this year's Aussie Open Adidas kits are all about saving the oceans.
Save the ocean, win a Slam?
Until those two notions were mutually exclusive but at this year’s Australian Open players wearing Adidas kits—Angelique Kerber, Caroline Wozniacki, Garbiñe Muguruza, Alexander Zverev, Dominic Thiem and many more—tennis and the ocean are on the same team like never before.
Thanks to the Adidas x Parley tennis collection, players contracted to Adidas will wear the company's first range made from 100 per cent recycled "ocean plastic", developed in partnership with ocean-protection organisation Parley.
Adidas has been making an effort to remove virgin plastic from its supply chain, and now they company has expanded their collection process to include plastic waste found in coastal communities and on beach fronts.
Starting this week in Melbourne, tennis fans and oceans lovers will become one, as star players unveil these sharp new looks. Here’s a sneak preview of some:
Evert: Sabalenka Will Win Multiple Majors
18-time major champion is very high on 20-year-old Aryna Sabalenka
“I have no reason to believe that Sabalenka will not win more than one Grand Slam,” said Evert in a conference call to promote ESPN's television coverage of the 2019 Australian Open. “Why? I see two things. I see hunger and I see boldness. Whether that’s fearlessness or what. It’s tied up, the boldness, fearlessness, confidence. That’s her swagger, I see that. I also see hunger. Like this girl wants it. You can see it in her eyes. She’s pretty intense.”
The WTA has seen eight different Slam winners over the last two seasons, marking the first time the WTA has seen four different Slam winners in back-to-back seasons since 1938.
Evert things that in Sabalenka, who is still just 20 years old and currently ranked 11 in the world, the WTA may have a new dominant force.
“To me, those ingredients, the fact that she has the skill set and the talent she does, she will win more than one Grand Slam in the next few years,” Evert said. “That’s my take on her.”
Kyrgios: Biggest Career Moment Coming In Oz
Nick Kyrgios kicks off all-star partnership.
Nick Kyrgios kicks a career peak at next week's Australian Open.
In a mash of hardcourt and hardwood, Kyrgios will take the court armed with an NBA all-star on the tip of his tongue.
Boston Celtics superstar Kyrie Irving, who was born in Melbourne and is Kyrgios' favorite player, has collaborated with the 23-year-old Aussie on the new Nike Vapor X Kyrie 5 tennis shoe.
Kyrgios will wear the shoe throughout the Australian Open.
"Yeah, it’s arguably the biggest moment of my career," Kyrgios told Complex. "I’m going to go out in front of my home crowd wearing the tennis shoes that share the name with my favorite basketball player. Representing Kyrie and myself at the same time, in front of such a big stage, is pretty crazy."
Kyrie Irving's logo is embedded on the NikeCourt logo on the shoe's tongue.
The Swoosh brand aims to "brings basketball performance to tennis and blends the innovations and styles," Alex Restivo, NikeCourt footwear product director, told Complex.
The shoe recalls another flamboyant Nike shotmaker—Andre Agassi—putting pops of the "hot lava" that made pink a power color when Agassi wore it at the 1990 Roland Garros on the shoe's heel.
A 2015 Australian Open quarterfinalist, Kyrgios reached the fourth round at his home Slam last year, bowing to Grigor Dimitrov.
The 51st-ranked Kyrgios, who will be unseeded in Melbourne, explained his custom of walking on court wearing Air Jordans before changing into his tennis shoes.
Kicks can reveal character, according to Kyrgios.
"It started when I was young," Kyrgios told Complex of his shoe-changing habit. "I had this superstition that I couldn’t wear my tennis shoes before or after a match. I feel like you can kind of gauge someone’s personality by the kicks they wear. That was a little bit of a sneak preview of what I was about before I started playing."
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve
Muguruza In Awe of Ferrer’s Fighting Spirit
The two-time Slam champion was thrilled to partner with the legendary Spaniard at Hopman Cup Garbiñe Muguruza has high praise for her teammate David Ferrer after spending the week with the soon to be retired Spaniard.
“I was so excited to play with David. In Spain we all admire his fighting spirit,” said Muguruza. “Actually I’m learning so much this week. I’m just like staring at him and talking to him—I think he’s a great mentor.”
.@DavidFerrer87 will now play his last singles match in Australia.@GarbiMuguruza offers a tribute to her teammate 🇪🇸 #HopmanCup pic.twitter.com/qgXY4NMIEc
— Hopman Cup (@hopmancup) January 4, 2019
Ferrer capped off an entertaining week with a win over Lucas Pouille in three sets on Friday. He is expected to retire at home, at the Madrid Masters this season.
“It’s going to be the last matches in my career and I try to enjoy every point that I play,” said the Spaniard.
Muguruza went 1-2 in singles at Perth, losing in three sets to Angelique Kerber and falling to Ashleigh Barty in straight sets before defeating Alizé Cornet on Friday. The good news for the Spaniard is that her leg injury appears to be nothing serious.
She left the court after three games during her win over Cornet on Friday and returned to win the match.
"I work hard, as well with matches and the whole week. So, today I was a little bit tired. I just felt a little pain in my quad and I thought, you know what, protect it a little bit," she said. "I kept fighting and kept playing."
Unseeded at Sydney, Muguruza is slated to face Carla Suarez Navarro in the first round.
Federer, Tsitsipas, Jazzed to Face the Legend Serena Williams at Hopman Cup
For the first time in a long time, Roger Federer is set to face a player with more major titles than him.
The first ever meeting of Roger Federer and Serena Williams is set to take place on New Year’s Day in Perth, and Federer is jazzed to have the opportunity to face a player with more Grand Slam titles than him for the first time in a long time.
"I think it's very exciting for both of us,” Federer said (full video above) after he defeated Cameron Norrie in men’s singles action on Saturday at the Hopman Cup, adding: “I hope that a lot of tennis fans are going to tune in and also watch it because it's gonna be one time and probably never again.”
Federer told reporters that he really doesn’t know Williams all that well despite the fact that the pair have been on tour for more than 20 years together. He says the both have busy lives, and rarely have time to sit down and do a deep dive into each other’s personal life.
But that fact has not deterred Federer’s admiration for his fellow legend.
“I admire everything she has done on and off the court. We can relate to one another now also being parents even more so. Besides the fact that we won a lot and we are both fierce competitors and we always want to win—we try our best.”
“She’s obviously one of the biggest champions ever in our sport—men and women combined—so it’s great to be playing against her.”
Before Federer and Williams lock horns on January 1st, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Greece will take a shot at Team USA on the lone New Year’s Eve tilt. Tsitsipas, like Federer, is looking forward to the experience of facing the legendary American.
“A great experience, I can’t say anything more,” the Greek said when asked to give his thoughts on facing Williams. “Playing against her would be a big lesson for me and for Maria [Tsitsipas’ teammate Maria Sakkari] as well. I’ll try to play my best game because it would be great to get a win against her.”
Serena Williams Featured in New Gatorade Spot
The 23-time champion joins a few sporting luminaries in Gatorade's latest campaign.
Serena Williams is ready to fuel up for the 2019 season with Gatorade.
The 23-time major champion is featured prominently in Gatorade’s “You Fuel Us, We Fuel You,” campaign, which also features NBA star Jayson Tatum, cyclist Lionel Sanders and footballer Christian Pulisic.
Here’s what Gatorade has to say about the campaign:
“Realizing that customization and personalization are the next frontier of sports nutrition, this campaign showcases how Gatorade combines science-backed products with newly designed equipment and tracking technologies to provide fueling recommendations specific to an individual athlete. The Gatorade products featured in the You Fuel Us, We Fuel You creative are just a sampling of the sports fuel portfolio, from G Zero to Gx, to G Endurance, G ESSNTL and more.”
Angelique Kerber Wins Sportswoman of the Year in Germany
The World No.2 praised cycling star Kristina Vogel in her emotional speech. Angelique Kerber has been named Germany’s Sportswoman of the Year for 2018. The World No.2 completes another fantastic season, winning her third major title and first at Wimbledon, while going 46-19.
Kerber also won the award in 2016, when she won two major titles and finished the year No.1.
Patrick Lange, professional duathlete and triathlete, won the award for the men.
In her acceptance speech Kerber paid tribute to track cycling World Champion Kristina Vogel, who became a paraplegic after a training crash in June.
"You are a role model for so many people. You have shown so much willpower," Kerber told Vogel at the ceremony on Sunday evening.
Ganz große und tolle Worte von @AngeliqueKerber an @KristinaVogel . Bewegender und emotionaler Moment!! pic.twitter.com/qDfWZ5WTdM
— Marco Hagemann (@Marco_Hagemann) December 16, 2018
