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Photo Gallery: Day 2, Australian Open
A collection of brilliant photos from Mark Peterson of Corleve, sponsored by Tecnifibre.
Kyrgios: Feel Like Dogs**t
Cranky knee and commanding Milos Raonic knock Kyrgios out of Oz.
The first round was the last stop for Nick Kyrgios.
A commanding Milos Raonic and a cranky right knee conspired to bounce Kyrgios out of the Australian Open, 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-4, sending the Aussie crashing out of the opening round of his home Slam for the first time in his career.
More: Azarenka in Tears, Vows To Keep Battling
Raonic ripped 30 aces, served 73 percent, permitted just six points on first serve and did not face a break point defeating Kyrgios for the fourth time in seven meetings.
The 16th-seeded Canadian will take on 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka for a spot in the third round. Three-time Grand Slam champion Wawrinka was down 3-6, 3-1 when opening-round opponent Ernests Gulbis retired with injury.
Kyrgios appeared to be contemplating retiring when he called for the trainer before the start of the third set for treatment of his knee issue.
Court-side microphones picked up a frustrated Kyrgios venting his knee "felt like dogs**t" as he talked treatment with the Tour trainer.
"It hurts to walk, it hurts to rock on my serve, I’ve just given up basically,” Kyrgios said. "I’ve taken four tablets and it’s gotten worse. It’s f**king terrible. By this stage, it’s f***ed. It feels like dogs**t, mate. Absolute dogs**t.
The Australian hard-court season can be as punishing as a concrete jungle and lately Kyrgios has been getting beaten up.
A spider bite to his left foot nearly forced him out of Bisbane earlier this month, but Kyrgios played bowing to Jeremy Chardy in the round of 16.
Tonight's loss could send Kyrgios tumbling out of the Top 70, a stunning turn of events for the man his Laver Cup captain, John McEnroe, calls "the most talented player I've seen in 10 years."
Four years ago, Kyrgios became the youngest man to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals since Andrei Cherkasov in 1990, while joining Pat Cash and Brad Drewett as just the third Aussie teen to reach the Melbourne last eight in the Open Era.
Times have changed and a banged-up Kyrgios has sputtered on the Slam stage. For the seventh time in his last eight majors, Kyrgios failed to survive the third round.
The enigmatic Aussie fell to 1-8 in his last nine major matches against Top 20 opponents.
It was Kyrgios' first Grand Slam opening-round exit since he lost to compatriot John Millman, who was ranked No. 232 at the time, in the 2017 US Open.
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve
Playing with taping around his right knee, Kyrgios lacked explosiveness at time though he downplayed the significance of his knee injury.
"I've had a sore knee now for a while," Kyrgios said. "Did everything I could. Been warming up. Been super professional before I'm even hitting. Warming up all the time. Just an ongoing thing.
"I don't know why we're talking about it. I literally just said it had nothing to do with my loss. So it's really pointless to keep talking about it."
Still, Kyrgios claims he will try to play doubles on Wednesday alongside good buddy Matt Reid. The Aussie wild cards are scheduled to face No. 13 seeds Ivan Dodig and Edouard Roger-Vasselin in Wednesday's first-rounder on Court No. 7.
"I'm still in the tournament," Kyrgios said. "I got doubles tomorrow. All my focus goes in there. I'm going to come out there, just bluff my way through a doubles match, see how it goes.
"Obviously playing with one of my best mates again, which is pretty special. I know this means a lot to him, being part of the Australian Open, playing doubles. That's all I'm focusing on. It's going to be a lot of fun. I don't know what I'm going to do yet honestly."
Channel Nine and ESPN analyst John McEnroe questioned if Kyrgios' injury issues are caused by inadequate training.
"Does he not train enough because the body breaks down? Or does the body break down because you don’t train enough," McEnroe said on Channel Nine. "He wouldn’t know because he hasn’t trained hard enough to know. You’ve got to try the other way before you dismiss it."
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve
Tsitsipas on What Makes Serena Serena
The Greek sensation had the opportunity to both play against and practice with the American legend prior to the Australian Open. By: Chris Oddo
Greek sensation Stefanos Tsitsipas is developing a friendship with—and healthy respect for—Serena Williams. The pair competed against one another at Hopman Cup earlier in the month and later Stefanos had a hitting session with the 23-time major champion.
“It was all arranged by Patrick [coach Mouratoglou],” Tsitsipas said. “I mean, yeah, he invited me for a hit. I said yes. It was a great opportunity to practice with her.”
Tsitsipas said that Williams was in stellar form, and generally more competitive than his typical practice partners, whether they be male or female.
“She was practicing really good,” he said. “I would probably say even better than some of the male players that I've been practicing with.”
Tsitsipas, who became the first Greek ATP player to win a match at the Australian Open on Monday when he defeated Matteo Berrettini, said that he enjoyed hearing Williams’ take on things.
“I enjoyed it,” he said. “She's a very interesting person, very open-minded, I would say. She had lots of topics when we'd sit down to drink water or rehydrate ourselves. We talked about some interesting stuff.”
When asked what it was that made Williams special, he said it was her je ne sais quoi.
“Her attitude, for sure,” Tsitsipas said. “She has a different approach than any I would say female player that I've met. She has this thing, you know, she's really – how can I explain it? She has a lot of confidence in herself. Like really she knows what she's doing on and off the court. She's a lovely person outside the court. Just this attitude that she has of hating to lose. That's what makes her a great champion. That's what I notice on the court.”
He added: “She has something different than the other players.”
Stephens and Kamau Murray Still Together in Spirit
The American insists that nothing has changed with her coaching team despite the absence of Kamau Murray.
Sloane Stephens and Kamau Murray are still working together—sort of. After her straight-sets win over Taylor Townsend on Day 1 in Melbourne, the American told media that nothing has changed in her coaching arrangement. Kamau is still with her team, just not physically.
#AusOpen: Day 2 Order of Play | Petkovic Collapses, Retires | Boulter Makes History | Murray Shows Grit in Defeat
“Everyone is still around,” Stephens said. “Like I said, Kamau and I needed a break, we are in a great space. I surrounded myself with people here that I have known for a long time that I'm comfortable with. I wanted to be happy and hopefully that would allow me to play better. So, yeah, the coaching situation is exactly the same as it was before. You just don't see Kamau physically here.
Asked if she had a date planned in which Murray would physically re-appear, Stephens replied “no.”
Sly Black is currently assuming head coaching duties.
Stephens is set to face Timea Babos in second-round action. She snapped a four-match losing streak at the Happy Slam with her victory on Day 1. Stephens famously reached the semifinals in 2013 at Melbourne when the then 19-year-old achieved a stunning three-set victory over Serena Williams in the quarterfinals.
“It's been a tough couple of years here, but I do love this tournament,” Stephens said. “It's always tough the first slam of the year kind of getting going. I had a good result here once before, so I think I'm going to try to do it again.”
Australian Open Day 2 Order of Play
Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic headline the action on Rod Laver on Day 2 in Melbourne.The top half of the men’s and women’s singles draws take the court for the first time at the Australian Open – here is the complete Day 2 Order of Play.
Rod Laver Arena
D. Aiava (WC) versus M. Keys (17) Women's Singles 1st Round
T. Maria versus S. Williams (16) Women's Singles 1st Round
A. Zverev (4) versus A. Bedene Men's Singles 1st Round
N. Djokovic (1) versus M. Krueger (Q) Men's Singles 1st Round
N. Osaka (4) versus M. Linette Women's Singles 1st Round
Margaret Court Arena
K. Majchrzak (Q) versus K. Nishikori (8) Men's Singles 1st Round
T. Zidansek versus D. Gavrilova Women's Singles 1st Round
V. Williams versus M. Buzarnescu (25) Women's Singles 1st Round
S. Halep (1) versus K. Kanepi Women's Singles 1st Round
B. Paire versus D. Thiem (7) Men's Singles 1st Round
Melbourne Arena
K. Muchova (Q) versus Ka. Pliskova (7) Women's Singles 1st Round
B. Coric (11) versus S. Darcis Men's Singles 1st Round
L. Siegemund versus V. Azarenka Women's Singles 1st Round
S. Stosur versus D. Yastremska Women's Singles 1st Round
N. Kyrgios versus M. Raonic (16) Men's Singles 1st Round
1573 Arena
F. Fognini (12) versus J. Munar Men's Singles 1st Round
E. Bouchard versus S. Peng (WC) Women's Singles 1st Round
P. Andujar versus D. Shapovalov (25) Men's Singles 1st Round
V. Golubic (Q) versus E. Svitolina (6) Women's Singles 1st Round
Court 3
J. Konta versus A. Tomljanovic Women's Singles 1st Round
S. Zheng versus G. Muguruza (18) Women's Singles 1st Round
T. Daniel versus T. Kokkinakis (Q) Men's Singles 1st Round
S. Wawrinka versus E. Gulbis Men's Singles 1st Round
Court 5
I. Ivashka versus M. Jaziri Men's Singles 1st Round
N. Vikhlyantseva (Q) versus V. Lepchenko (Q) Women's Singles 1st Round
F. Krajinovic versus M. Cecchinato (17) Men's Singles 1st Round
Court 7
E. Mertens (12) versus A. Schmiedlova Women's Singles 1st Round
A. Bolt (WC) versus J. Sock (WC) Men's Singles 1st Round
C. Giorgi (27) versus D. Jakupovic Women's Singles 1st Round
J. Tsonga (WC) versus M. Klizan Men's Singles 1st Round
Court 8
Q. Wang (21) versus F. Ferro Women's Singles 1st Round
H. Chung (24) versus B. Klahn Men's Singles 1st Round
P. Kohlschreiber (32) versus Z. Li (WC) Men's Singles 1st Round
D. Cibulkova (26) versus S. Zhang Women's Singles 1st Round
Court 10
P. Parmentier versus A. Potapova Women's Singles 1st Round
L. Vanni (Q) versus P. Carreno Busta (23) Men's Singles 1st Round
J. Chardy versus U. Humbert Men's Singles 1st Round
Court 12
Z. Diyas versus A. Krunic Women's Singles 1st Round
L. Djere versus E. Donskoy Men's Singles 1st Round
M. Granollers versus M. Copil Men's Singles 1st Round
S. Kenin versus V. Kudermetova (Q) Women's Singles 1st Round
Court 13
A. Ramos-Vinolas versus M. Fucsovics Men's Singles 1st Round
D. Kasatkina (10) versus T. Bacsinszky Women's Singles 1st Round
S. Voegele versus S. Hsieh (28) Women's Singles 1st Round
A. Popyrin (WC) versus M. Zverev Men's Singles 1st Round
Court 14
L. Harris (Q) versus D. Medvedev (15) Men's Singles 1st Round
B. Fratangelo (Q) versus G. Simon (29) Men's Singles 1st Round
C. Suárez Navarro (23) versus C. Burel (WC) Women's Singles 1st Round
Kr. Pliskova versus A. Blinkova Women's Singles 1st Round
Court 15
N. Jarry versus L. Mayer Men's Singles 1st Round
B. Andreescu (Q) versus W. Osuigwe (WC) Women's Singles 1st Round
L. Zhu (Q) versus M. Gasparyan Women's Singles 1st Round
M. Marterer versus G. Sakharov (Q) Men's Singles 1st Round
Court 19
I. Karlovic versus H. Hurkacz Men's Singles 1st Round
M. Brengle versus M. Doi (Q) Women's Singles 1st Round
L. Pouille (28) versus M. Kukushkin Men's Singles 1st Round
I. Swiatek (Q) versus A. Bogdan Women's Singles 1st Round
Court 20
S. Querrey versus P. Herbert Men's Singles 1st Round
M. Barthel versus A. Sevastova (13) Women's Singles 1st Round
D. Goffin (21) versus C. Garin Men's Singles 1st Round
V. Kuzmova versus K. Kozlova Women's Singles 1st Round
Court 22
J. Vesely versus R. Harrison Men's Singles 1st Round
G. Pella versus J. Sousa Men's Singles 1st Round
A. Cornet versus L. Arruabarrena Women's Singles 1st Round
Watch: Nadal Calls out Sleeping Journalist at Aussie Open
The Spaniard was feeling quite chipper after his Day 1 win in Melbourne.
When you are a press room reporter at the Australian Open, it’s best to stay awake when Rafael Nadal is on the mic. Here the Spaniard calls out an Italian reporter who had decided to grab a quick snooze while the Spaniard answered questions about his straight-sets win over James Duckworth.
"It's not interesting to him," Nadal tells the room after he's outed the sleeping Italian.
Nadal and the reporter go way back, which is probably why Nadal felt comfortable making sure that everybody in the room knew that he was sleeping.
And, now we know.
"I know you were closing your eyes to be more focused on what I am saying," Nadal closes with a laugh.
Extra points go to Nadal for those goofy faces he was making—clearly he’s in a pretty good mood after playing a solid match and getting off court in just two hours and 15 minutes.
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:
