Australian Open

Novak Djokovic 2023 Aussie Win “A Victory For Dignity, Individuality, Freedom, Non-Conformity”

January 29, 2023 by tennisbloggers Leave a Comment

Novak Djokovic’s win at the 2023 Australian Open was not only seen as significant in the context of the history of tennis, but also symbolic for bigger global reasons.

Djokovic’s 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5) final-round win over Stefanos Tsitsipas earned him a record-extending 10^th men’s singles title at the Australian Open and men’s record-tying 22^nd major singles title, equaling him with Rafael Nadal. The title also came one year after being deported from Australia, and not being able to play at Melbourne Park, due to his stance against taking a COVID-19 vaccine. This also prevented him from playing at the 2022 U.S. Open. His 2023 Australian Open victory, to some, symbolizes a victory over freedom, non-conformity and individuality. On the No. 1 rated morning cable television show “Fox and Friends” in the United States, hosts Will Cain, Pete Hegseth and Rachel Campos-Duffy discussed why they think the Djokovic victory has deeper meaning.

“I think this is more than just a victory for Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open,” said Cain, a former sports personality on ESPN. “We know what we now missed one year ago. We missed watching one of the greatest tennis players of all time win yet another major. I can’t guarantee that the winner of the 2022 Australian Open would’ve been Novak Djokovic, but you got a pretty good indication here when you see him win in 2023. But it’s more than that….We have missed not just great tennis, we’ve missed a year of education for our children. We’ve lost jobs, we’ve lost our economy, all under the dictatorial tyranny of an absolutely arbitrary mandate. But this is not just a victory for him. It’s a victory for dignity, individuality, freedom, non-compliance, non-conformity, not giving into public pressure. Yeah, it’s a victory for Novak Djokovic, but it’s a victory for individuality.”

Added Campos-Duffy, a former MTV personality, of Djokovic, “This guy has principle. He stood by his ground. He came back, he won. He was willing to risk that in order to do what’s right. There are millions of people in our military, teachers, nurses, doctors, everyday Americans, including myself, who just said, “I’m going to do what’s right for me. I believe in health liberty. I believe in autonomy over my own body.”

Hegseth pointed out many members of the American military, teachers, doctors, police officers, nurses and many others who were forced out of their jobs and livelihood and dreams for their refusal to adhere to the vaccine mandate. Said Hegseth, “Anyone who faced a mandate, when he’s fist pumping and overcoming it that way, he represents what maybe they didn’t get a chance to.”

After this commentary, Fox News then cued to an exchange between Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy and President Joe Biden’s press secretary Karine Jean Pierre from last August leading into the U.S. Open, when Djokovic was prevented from entering the country based on his vaccine status, while hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants are freely crossing the U.S. border from Mexico without having their vaccine status checked. As excerpted below.

Peter Doocy:

How come migrants are allowed to come into this country unvaccinated, but world class tennis players are not?

Karine Jean Pierre:

You’re talking about which world class tennis player?

Peter Doocy:

Novak Djokovic. How are they two different things? Somebody unvaccinated comes over on a plane, you say that’s not okay. Somebody walks into Texas or Arizona unvaccinated, they’re allowed to stay? Why?

Karine Jean Pierre:

But that’s not how it works. We actually … No.

Peter Doocy:

We know that that’s not what you guys want to happen, but that is what is happening.

Karine Jean Pierre:

It’s not like somebody walks over and … That’s not how-

Peter Doocy:

That’s exactly what’s happening.

Aryna Sabalenka wins 1st slam at Australian Open 2023

January 28, 2023 by tennisbloggers Leave a Comment

Aryna Sabalenka has won a Grand Slam title for the first time in her career. The 24-year-old number 5 of the world proved too strong for Jelena Rybakina, ranked 25th on the WTA Tour. In a match that lasted 2.5 hours, Sabalenka beat her opponent in 3 sets 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Last year Sabalenka struggled with her form and especially her service. The Belarussian didn’t win a single WTA tournament and was the player with the most double faults on the WTA Tour: 428 double faults in 55 matches.

In the past couple of months, she’s worked on the ball toss before her service and it paid off. She’s been undefeated in 11 matches and won the WTA tournament in Adelaide before Melbourne.

23-year-old Rybakina played her second Grand Slam final. Last year she won Wimbledon but after that, she hit a slump and didn’t manage to win more than one match in 7 of the 10 tournaments she participated in.

But Melbourne got her out of a said slump and she beat Grand Slam champions Jelana Ostapenko, Viktoria Azarenka, and Iga Swiatek, the number 1 player in the world.

The Australian Open 2023 womens finals was one of contrasts

The contrasts of the finale of the Australian Open 2023 were huge. Sabalenka played with a lot of passion while Rybakina was the ice queen on the court. In terms of playing style, they looked alike. Both leaned on their service and kept the games as short as possible.

After 3 games (7 aces and a double fault for Sabalenka) Rybakina led thanks to a break of 2-1.

Sabalenka, who was ousted in 3 semi-finals of Grand Slam Tournaments appeared vulnerable on her second serve. She did make a tiny comeback to 4-4 but was broken immediately after, thanks to a double fault on breakpoint against.

Jelena Rybakina loses the Australian Open womens finals 2023 due to personal errors

Over the course of the match, more and more personal errors messed up the game of Rybakina. She was less dominant on her serve and had trouble with the pressure plays of her opponent. Sabalenka started to hit more winners and thanks to a break she led 2-1 in the 2nd set.

In the third and final set of the match, Rybakina had trouble winning her service games. Sabalenka broke her at 3-3 and finished the match on her own serve. She did need 4 match points however and messed up the first one with a double fault.

Fan Fave Sam Stosur to retire after AusOpen 2023

January 15, 2023 by tennisbloggers Leave a Comment

Sam Stosur has announced her retirement on her Facebook page in an emotional message to the fans. Samantha Stosur will retire after the Australian Open 2023. Of course, we hope that she will reach very far into the Australian Open and we hope to see her back in tennis in some capacity, like a coach or an analyst after she retires. And if not then we do hope we’ll still hear from her from time to time.

Samantha Stosur leaves a message to her fans

Hi Everyone,

I’m so excited to be back here at Melbourne Park playing in my 21st Australian Open! However, it’s with mixed feelings that I also wanted to share with you all that this will be my last tournament.

I’ve thought about this moment for a while now and I feel so happy and grateful to have the opportunity to finish playing at my favourite slam, my home slam and in front of my Aussie fans and family.

The feeling that it’s time to move into my life after tennis has been sitting with me for a little while. And even though I’ve made the decision to retire from the sport I love, a small part of me would be happy to keep playing forever. I know I’m going to miss playing tennis competitively and all the amazing experiences that come along with being on the tour and doing what I’ve done nearly all my life.

There is so much I still love about playing tennis. I love competing in matches, the practice, the off court sessions in the gym and most of all, working to improve on something everyday to make me a better player.

Even in this past year playing doubles, it refreshed that idea of getting better by practicing differently and having a different focus, of which I really enjoyed.

I’ve had that drive to improve and evolve as a player for so many years and I’m not sure what it will feel like waking up the next day once this is all over.

I’m so happy to have achieved more than I ever thought would be possible when I was an eight year old kid starting out in tennis. All I wanted was to be a professional player. I had no idea what this meant or the commitment involved, I just knew this was my dream and what I wanted to do.

When I was 10 or 11, I wrote a letter at school to put in a class time capsule that would outline our hopes and dreams for our future. My dreams were to be number one in the world, win a Grand Slam and go to an Olympic Games. Who knew I would do two out of the three, and come close to all three

It certainly wasn’t all easy. My first trip to Europe as a 15 year old I lost first round every week for the first 8 or 9 tournaments. I was so far out of my depth in the under 18s. I had never played on clay or grass and I would call home crying nearly every day. But something in me knew I had to stay and stick it out and I finally won my first match of the trip at Wimbledon on court 14. Every year I walk past that court and remember that moment.

I love that ultimately this drive, dedication and determination I felt as a junior then led me to experience so many more incredible moments on the court.

There are so many stand out matches, some against some of the legends of the sport, that I look back on now and think how amazing it is to have been part of this tour. Every win, every loss, every split second decision to go for this shot or that shot, every millimetre the ball was in or out …all these moments have given me what I have today and I wouldn’t change any of it.

However, you can’t do everything forever, no matter how much you love the sport. My body doesn’t always like waking up and getting moving in the mornings. And as much as I’ve pushed myself throughout my career, it’s become harder to do all the little things that you need to do to be the best you can be, against the best in the world.

So many people have contributed to my career and success over the years. I don’t even know where to begin but I’ll give it a try.

Firstly to my family… my parents and my brothers Dominic and Daniel. It was a whole family affair going to tennis for weekend tournaments or coaching sessions. I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive big brother in Daniel who helped to guide me, especially as my parents didn’t even know how to score – how times have changed. And to Dominic, who got dragged along to my tournaments because he was the youngest, thanks for going with the flow. Mum and Dad who did everything they could to make my career possible and never once make me feel tennis was a burden or all too hard. It wasn’t just my heart and soul that went into this but all of ours and I can’t thank you all enough. I know you’ve all been with me every step of the way.

And to my own family, Liz and Evie. Having you both there along for the ride has been incredible. Liz, you have been amazing in always supporting and encouraging me to continue my tennis journey for as long as I felt I was able. You have helped me far beyond what you’ll ever know and I thank you for all you have given me. I truly wouldn’t be where I am today, on or off the court without you.

To my coaches, physios, strength and conditioning trainers and doctors, from my young years right through to now…..you have all played a huge part in my journey and I’m so fortunate to have learnt and grown under your guidance. And most importantly, I now have valuable friendships that will carry on far beyond the tennis years. You are all incredibly special and I thank you for your sacrifices to help me.

I have met amazing people around the world, from tour staff or housing families that took me in when I was first starting on tour, to my fellow competitors and partners. My sponsors who have been with me throughout my career, I have some very special memories with you all.

There are many others who have helped behind the scenes, it’s hard to name everyone but you know who you are.

Lastly, to you my amazing fans who have supported me from the stands or on TV. You are the reason we can go out there and play the sport we love and I am eternally grateful for you all. It has been such a pleasure and a joy to play for you all over the world and feel your love. There is truely no better feeling than playing in a packed stadium, no matter where in the world. This is something I’m absolutely going to miss and why it makes it even harder to step away. I’m going to miss you.

It’s been an adventure to say the least and I’m so grateful for this wonderful ride.

“Absolutely Spent” Ash Barty Announces Retirement

March 23, 2022 by tennisbloggers Leave a Comment

Australian tennis women’s world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty has announced her retirement from the sport, saying she has lost the drive to compete at the highest level.

“I don’t have the physical drive, the emotional want and everything it takes to challenge yourself at the very top level anymore,” she said in a video posted on social media on Wednesday.

“I am so thankful for everything this sport has given me and leave feeling proud and fulfilled. Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way,” the 25-year-old said.

In an emotional interview with a close friend, Barty said she was “absolutely spent” when it came to tennis.

“I know physically I have nothing more to give and that for me is success. I’ve given absolutely everything I can to this beautiful sport of tennis and I’m really happy with that,” said Barty.

“It’s given me all of my dreams and more, but I know that the time is right now for me to step away and chase other dreams, and put the racquet down.”

The announcement came two months after Barty became the first Australian to win the Australian Open since 1978.

The Australian tennis star finishes her career with three Grand Slam titles – the French Open in 2019, Wimbledon in 2021 and this year’s Australian Open, where she beat out American Danielle Collins in the final.

“As a person, this is what I want. I want to chase after some other dreams that I’ve always wanted to do, and always had that really healthy balance, but I’m really, really excited,” said Barty.

Following her Australian Open triumph, Barty withdrew from Indian Wells and the Miami Open, saying her body needed more time to recover.

Wednesday’s announcement marked the second time Barty has walked away from tennis, previously taking a hiatus to play cricket in 2014 before returning in 2016,

Rafael Nadal Wins Major Title 21 With Dramatic Australian Open Final Comeback

January 30, 2022 by Randy Walker Leave a Comment

Rafael Nadal won his 21^st career Grand Slam men’s singles title, breaking the men’s record for most major singles titles, coming back from two sets down to beat Daniil Medvedev in five hours, 24 minutes in the Australian Open final that didn’t finish until after midnight in the early hours of Monday morning.

It was the second longest Australian Open final after Novak Djokovic beat Nadal in five sets in 5 hours and 53 minutes in 2012, as documented in the book “The Greatest Tennis Matches of All Time” by Steve Flink here: https://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Tennis-Matches-All-Time/dp/0942257936/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=greatest+tennis+matches+of+all+time&qid=1643563303&sprefix=Greatest+tennis+mat%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-2

The 35-year-old Spaniard now has one more major singles title than Roger Federer and Djokovic.

With the 2-6, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 win, Nadal also became just the fourth man in history to win all four of the sport’s major titles at least twice.

Nadal won his first Australian Open title in 2009 and lost four other finals at Melbourne Park before his dramatic win over U.S. Open champion Medvedev. His conversation rate in major finals is now 21 out of 29. Federer and Djokovic each have 20 majors from 31 finals appearances.

His victory was even more remarkable considering Nadal flew to Australia with just two matches under his belt in the second half of 2021 because he was sidelined with a chronic foot injury that can be treated but not cured. He also had a bout of COVID-19.

Medvedev, who was aiming to be the first man in the Open era to win his second Grand Slam title at the very next major, made Nadal go the distance and win from two-sets down. Medvedev now joins Andy Murray among those who’ve lost the final at the next major tournament after their career breakthrough at the highest level.

It was just the fourth time Nadal has rallied from two sets down to win a best-of-five-set match, and the first since a fourth-round victory in 2007 at Wimbledon over Mikhail Youzhny.

Ash Barty Becomes First Aussie To Win Australian Singles Title Since 1978

January 29, 2022 by tennisbloggers Leave a Comment

World No. 1 Ash Barty defeated American Danielle Collins 6-3, 7-6 (2) in the final of the Australian Open to become first Australian to win a singles title in their home Grand Slam tournament in 44 years.

“This is a dream come true for me and I’m so proud to be an Aussie,” said Barty in her acceptance speech.

The last Australian singles winner at the event was Chris O’Neil, who won a 32-player event in 1978 on grass at Kooyong Tennis Club.

Barty was greeted by a roaring local crowd – many wearing “Barty Party” shirts – and a scattering of Australian and Aboriginal flags as she took to the court at the Rod Laver Arena.

The first set got off to a routine start, as each player traded service games and the score was brought to an even 2-2. After narrowly avoiding a break from her American opponent, Barty secured her own break with a forehand winner and then a double fault from a tense Collins, securing a 5-2 lead. Barty closed out set one with a perfect service game after just 32 minutes, an ace in the last point a final flourish of confidence.

In the second set, Collins rolled to a 5-1 lead, but Barty slowly clawed her way back in the set and forced a tiebreaker, which she won 7-2. The Australian champion boasted a 94 percent first serve win percentage, including five aces, throughout set one, giving little opening to her American opponent.

Barty did not lose en route to the title and dropped just 30 games during the fortnight.

Playing in her first major singles final, the No. 27-seeded Collins will move into the top 10 in the WTA rankings with the hallmark result.

To read more about the Australian Open, buy or download “The Bud Collins History of Tennis” by Bud Collins https://www.amazon.com/dp/1937559386/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_86TG1ZFD76G9MZMXDWV9 via @amazon

Former Australian Open Quarterfinalist Sabine Appelmans Talks Her Two Most Difficult Opponents

January 18, 2022 by tennisbloggers Leave a Comment

Sabine Appelmans, one of the best ever women players Belgium, is one of many players who played their best tennis and posted their best Grand Slam results at the Australian Open.

During her career Appelmans of Belgium played the Australian Open 12 times, with her best showing coming in 1997 where she lost to eventual runner-up Mary Pierce.

After beating the likes of Helena Sukova and Conchita Martinez – both of whom became Hall of Famers – Appelmans nearly cracked the Final Four “Down Under” but fell to Pierce 1-6, 6-4, 6-4.

She nearly became the first woman from Belgium to win a major singles title and the Australian Open, but Justine Henin was the first to win a major at the 2003 French Open and claimed victory in Australia in 2004.

Appelmans actually retired at the Australian Open in 2001, losing her final career match against Denisa Chladkova in the second round.

In 2000, she reached the third round in Melbourne and lost to Serena Williams in a tough 6-2, 7-6 (2) decision

In 1999, she also reached the third round losing to Monica Seles 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

Interesting that Appelmans said that it was not Serena who was the toughest player she had to face in her career, but Steffi Graf and listed Seles as the second-toughest player she ever played.

“She was like an icon to me,” said Appelmans of Graf to Betway. “I looked up to her. She had an unbelievable forehand. She had unbelievable footwork as well. I remember playing her for the first time and only winning one game, so that was very tough.”

Of Seles, Appelmans said, “She was such a fighter on the court, playing everything with two hands, getting to all the balls, bringing everything back. I enjoyed playing her, but I never beat her, so that was a tough opponent.”

Appelmans turned pro in 1988, and won her first of seven WTA singles titles beating Chanda Rubin in the final in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1991. She participated three times in the Olympics (in 1992, 1996 and 2000) – at the 1992 Games in Barcelona she reached the quarterfinals in singles. Her career high WTA ranking was No. 16, earned in November 1997.

How To Watch ESPN’s Australian Open Coverage (For Free and For Pay)

January 18, 2022 by Randy Walker 2 Comments

Tennis fans in North America can escape the winter for the warmth of summer down under via ESPN’s live presentation – now exclusive – of the Australian Open, tennis’ first Major of the year, starting Sunday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. Live “first ball to last ball coverage” across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+ and ESPN3 from Melbourne will include every match from all 16 courts. ESPN+ will offer more exclusive hours than ever, including the 3 a.m. featured matches (prime time in Australia) on ESPN+ from Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena. In addition, for the first time, ESPN+ will offer simulcasts of all linear TV coverage, from Day One through the Championships. The Women’s and Men’s Championships will air late on January 28 and 29, respectively, both at 3:30 a.m. with encore presentations later that day on ESPN2. New to the schedule this year is a one-hour highlights show each weekend on ABC.

ESPN has televised the Australian Open since 1984, ESPN’s longest uninterrupted professional sports programming relationship.

The ESPN Tennis Team

Coverage Highlights (ET)

ESPN and ESPN2

Live nightly telecasts, generally beginning at 9 p.m. through the quarterfinals
Semifinals and Women’s and Men’s Championships, including encore presentations
ESPN2 with 35 additional hours in the afternoon with action from the previous day.
ESPN+

Exclusive coverage of all 224 matches from qualifying this week
Exclusive streaming up to 12 or more courts from the start of play each night at 7 p.m. including more exclusive hours such as two quarterfinals on Monday, Jan. 24, and two on Tuesday, Jan. 25
Singles, doubles (men’s, women’s, mixed), wheelchair, legends and juniors, and on-demand replays of completed matches
New: Simulcasts of all ESPN and ESPN2 telecasts, from Day One through the Championships
A daily highlights show posted at 11 a.m.
New: On-demand replays of great matches in Australian Open history
All coverage on ESPN+ will be available in both English and Spanish

ABC
First-ever Australian Open coverage via new weekly one-hour highlights show, on Sunday, Jan. 23, at 4 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 29, at 2 p.m.

ESPN3
All-day action from select courts
On-demand replays of completed matches
ESPN.com
Extensive previews, reviews, analysis, the latest news, polls, videos and more
ESPN Interactive TV
Multi-screen mosaic on DIRECTV featuring ESPN linear feed and other TV courts, during the first seven days of the tournament. Sam Gore will host with Luke Jensen.
ESPN Deportes

On TV, ESPN Deportes will air live the women’s and men’s semis and both Championships, which are all also on ESPN+.
30-minute pre-show leading into the Women’s and Men’s Championships
Coverage every day in Spanish on ESPN+
ESPNDeportes.com with news and information including results, recaps and chats
ESPN and its affiliated networks around the globe

Extensive coverage in Latin America (Spanish), Brazil (Portuguese) and the Caribbean (English)
Star+ & ESPN Play, ESPN’s direct to consumer and broadband streaming services in the region, will also provide access to every single match from every televised court
ESPN will also televise two-hour “Best of the Day” daily (Spanish only)
Canada – TSN (English) and RDS (French): comprehensive coverage on television and digital services.

Surveying the Fields

Men’s top seed Novak Djokovic, who has been dealing with a visa issue and recently won his appeal to stay in Australia and compete, has a record nine titles, including the most recent three. He seeks to break the mark of 20 career Majors he currently shares with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. His biggest challenge will be No. 2 Daniil Medvedev who denied Djokovic the Grand Slam at the US Open final in September for his first Major title. No. 6 Rafael Nadal, the 2009 winner in Australia, also hopes to snare a record 21st Major. Those three will be challenged by a number of players 25 and under seeking to join the club of Major winners – No. 3 Alexander Zverev (24, a finalist at the 2020 US Open), No. 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas (23, a finalist at last year’s French Open), No. 5 Andrey Rublev (24) and No. 7 Matteo Berrettini (25, a finalist at Wimbledon last summer).
The women’s draw is again wide open – in the last 19 Majors there have been 14 different champions and seven first-time winners in the most recent 12 Majors. Crowd favorite top-seeded Ashleigh Barty has a French Open and Wimbledon title on her resume and would love to add her country’s championship. Defending champ Naomi Osaka, No. 13 after taking a post-US Open break, also won this event in 2019 to go with her pair of US Open crowns (2018, ‘20). Other contenders: Aryna Sabalenka (No. 2, reached the semis in the two most recent Majors), Garbiñe Muguruza (No. 3, has won two Majors), American Sofia Kenin (No. 11, captured her one Major title down under two years ago) and Karolina Pliskova (No. 5, a two-time Major finalist). Of course, the tennis world is anxious to see the continued progress of Emma Raducanu, the US Open winner now 19 and seeded No. 17, and American 17-year-old Coco Gauff, seeded No. 18.

2022 AUSTRALIAN OPEN

(All times are Eastern, and each day “begins” at 6 a.m. ET.

Therefore, the listing Wed., Jan. 26, at 3:30 a.m. ET is actually very late on Wednesday night.)

Date	Time (ET)	Network(s)		Event
Jan 16 – 30	First ball to last ball each day	ESPN+, ESPN3	LIVE	Australian Open – up to 16 courts
Sun, Jan 16	7 – 11 p.m.	ESPN, ESPN+	LIVE	Early Round Play
11 p.m. – 7 a.m.	ESPN+	LIVE
Mon, Jan 17	2 – 5 p.m.	ESPN2	Same-day
7 – 11:30 p.m.	ESPN+	LIVE
11:30 p.m. – 2 a.m.	ESPN2, ESPN+	LIVE
2 – 7 a.m.	ESPN+	LIVE
Tue, Jan 18	2 – 5 p.m.	ESPN2	Same-day
7 – 9 p.m.	ESPN+	LIVE
9 – 11:30 p.m.	ESPN2, ESPN+	LIVE
11:30 p.m. – 7 a.m.	ESPN+	LIVE
Wed, Jan 19	2 – 5 p.m.	ESPN2	Same-day
7 – 9 p.m.	ESPN+	LIVE
9 – 11:30 p.m.	ESPN2, ESPN+	LIVE
11:30 p.m. – 7 a.m.	ESPN+	LIVE
Thu, Jan 20	2 – 5 p.m.	ESPN2	Same-day
7 – 9 p.m.	ESPN+	LIVE
9 – 11:30 p.m.	ESPN2, ESPN+	LIVE
11:30 p.m. – 7 a.m.	ESPN+	LIVE
Fri, Jan 21	2 – 5 p.m.	ESPN2	Same-day
7 – 9 p.m.	ESPN+	LIVE
9 – 11:30 p.m.	ESPN2, ESPN+	LIVE
11:30 p.m. – 7 a.m.	ESPN+	LIVE
Sat, Jan 22	8 – 11 a.m.	ESPN2	Same-day
7 – 9 p.m.	ESPN+	LIVE	Round of 16
9 – 11:30 p.m.	ESPN2, ESPN+	LIVE
11:30 p.m. – 7 a.m.	ESPN+	LIVE
Sun, Jan 23	9 – 11 a.m.	ESPN2	Same-day
4 – 5 p.m.	ABC	Taped	First Week Highlights
7 – 9 p.m.	ESPN+	LIVE	Round of 16
9 – 11:30 p.m.	ESPN2, ESPN+	LIVE
11:30 p.m. – 7 a.m.	ESPN+	LIVE
Mon, Jan 24	2 – 5 p.m.	ESPN2	Same-day
7 – 11 p.m.	ESPN2, ESPN+	LIVE	Quarterfinals
11 p.m. – 1 a.m.	ESPN+	LIVE
3 – 6 a.m.	ESPN+	LIVE
Tue, Jan 25	2 – 5 p.m.	ESPN2	Same-day
7 – 9 p.m.	ESPN+	LIVE
9 p.m. – 1 a.m.	ESPN2, ESPN+	LIVE
3 – 6 a.m.	ESPN+	LIVE
Wed, Jan 26	2 – 5 p.m.	ESPN2	Same-day
3:30 – 7:30 a.m. 3:25 – 6:30 a.m.	ESPN, ESPN+ ESPN Deportes	LIVE	Women’s Semifinals
Thur, Jan 27	2 – 5 p.m.	ESPN2	Encore
8 -10 p.m.	ESPN+	LIVE	Mixed Doubles Championship
10:30 p.m. – 1 a.m. 10:25 p.m. – 2 a.m.	ESPN, ESPN+ ESPN Deportes	LIVE	Men’s Semifinal #1
3:30 – 6 a.m. 3:25 – 7 a.m.	ESPN, ESPN+ ESPN Deportes	LIVE	Men’s Semifinal #2
Fri, Jan 28	2 – 5 p.m.	ESPN2	Encore	Men’s Semifinals
3 – 3:30 a.m.	ESPN Deportes	LIVE	Women’s Championship Pre-Show
3:30 – 5:30 a.m. 3:30 – 6 a.m.	ESPN, ESPN+ ESPN Deportes	LIVE	Women’s Championship
5:30 – 7:30 a.m.	ESPN+	LIVE	Men’s Doubles Championship
Sat, Jan 29	8 – 11 a.m.	ESPN2	Encore	Women’s Championship
2 – 3 p.m.	ABC	Taped	Second Week Highlights
11 p.m. – 1 a.m.	ESPN+	LIVE	Women’s Doubles Championship
3 – 3:30 a.m.	ESPN Deportes	LIVE	Men’s Championship Pre-Show
3:30 – 6:30 a.m. 3:30 – 7:30 a.m.	ESPN, ESPN+ ESPN Deportes	LIVE	Men’s Championship
Sun, Jan 30	9 a.m. – 1 p.m.	ESPN2	Encore
6 – 10 p.m.	ESPN2	Encore

Aussie Open Title Puts Sofia Kenin as No. 1 American

February 3, 2020 by Randy Walker Leave a Comment

After capturing her first Grand Slam title in her maiden major final at the Australian Open, Sofia Kenin breaks into the WTA Top 10 for the first time in her career today at World No.7.

At 21 years, 81 days old, Kenin becomes the youngest American woman to make her Top 10 debut since Serena Williams in 1999, and surpasses Madison Keys and Serena Williams in the rankings to also become the new American No.1.

By lifting the trophy in Melbourne, Kenin is the youngest American woman to win a major since Serena Williams at the 2002 US Open. She now owns four Tour-level titles, having lifted her first three trophies last year at the Hobart International, Mallorca Open and the Guangzhou Open. Click here to listen to Kenin discuss her dream run in Melbourne on the latest episode of the WTA Insider Podcast.

Can Osaka Win In Melbourne Again?

January 7, 2020 by Randy Walker 1 Comment

by Bob Stockton

Naomi Osaka announced herself on the tennis circuit by producing two outstanding runs to win the US Open and the Australian Open over a year ago. The Japanese tennis player defeated Serena Williams at Flushing Meadows to win her first Grand Slam at the end of 2018. She then followed it up with another brilliant surge to the final in Melbourne to claim the crown with a victory over Petra Kvitova to start 2019 in perfect fashion.

The 22-year-old would have been looking to exert her authority over the women’s game in the rest of 2019, but she was not able to match the excellence of her play in the rest of the Slams. She failed even to reach quarter-finals, progressing only as far as the fourth round of the US Open. Osaka will now return to Melbourne to attempt to defend her crown, being backed in the odds on Australian Open winner outright markets at 7/1 to come away with the title for the second year in a row. Williams is the favourite for the crown, but Simona Halep and Ashleigh Barty will also be in contention and present good value in the betting odds just behind Osaka.

Osaka has the quality to win once again in Melbourne, although she will have to put the disappointments from the majority of last year behind her. After her breakthrough at the US Open and the sustained success in the Australian Open, Osaka was expected to roll towards a period of dominance. She was the number one seed for the French Open at Roland Garros and produced a fine performance to see off Victoria Azarenka in the second round. However, unseeded Katerina Siniakova brushed aside Osaka in straight sets in the third round – with the Japanese admitting that she was struggling with the burden of being the top-ranked player in the draw.

Matters were even worse at Wimbledon as dropping down to the two seed made no difference to the outcome of her first-round match. Osaka was dumped out of the tournament by Yulia Putintseva in straight sets, including the decisive one 6-2. If the defeat was a reality check, it did not appear so in the first round of the US Open. Anna Blinkova took the Japanese into a decider after winning a tie-breaker in the second set, but Osaka found her form to advance.

Order appeared to be restored with victories over Magda Linette and the impressive teenager Coco Gauff. The 22-year-old faced a tough challenge in the form of Belinda Bencic in the fourth round. The Swiss was excellent on the day and secured the win in straight sets, sending the defending champion out of the tournament.

It has been a peculiar decline in form for Osaka at the majors over the past year, but she does have the opportunity to make a statement at the Australian Open. Osaka did win the China Open in October by beating Barty in straight sets, while a shoulder injury ended her season at the WTA Finals. The Japanese is perhaps the brightest talent in the women’s game and it would be a welcome sight to see her return to her best in Melbourne. The odds suggest that she can make a deep surge in the tournament and there is even value there to back her to go all the way. However, Osaka will have to put her disappointing 2019 season outside of her triumph in Melbourne to lift the crown again.