Australian Open

“Absolutely Spent” Ash Barty Announces Retirement

March 23, 2022 by TennisGrandstand 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 TennisGrandstand 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 TennisGrandstand 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.

Can Roger Federer Win Another Grand Slam Title?

November 16, 2019 by TennisGrandstand

There is no debate that when it comes to men’s singles tennis, Roger Federer is the G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time). Currently third in the ATP world rankings, but with 103 career titles to his name, Federer holds the record for the most Grand Slams with 20. His last came at the 2018 Australian Open and as we gear up to 2020’s tournament, let’s take a look at the Swiss Maestro’s career and future.

After years of dominance, injuries are starting to take their toll on the Swiss ace and this year he failed to win a major title. The two-time defending champion lost out in the fourth round of the first Grand Slam of the year. Rising star Stefanos Tsitsipas was FedEx’s opponent in Melbourne and the 14th seed turned around his losing start, going on to win 6–7(11-13), 7–6(7-3), 7–5, 7–6(7-5).

In June’s French Open, old foes Federer and Nadal met at the semi-final stage. The Spaniard is unstoppable on clay, his favoured surface, and so it proved again. He dispatched Federer in straight sets 6–3, 6–4, 6–2, before beating Dominic Thiem in the final to win a 12th French Open title, and yet another record.

Grass season came around and attention turned to Wimbledon. Federer reached the final here, his best performance of 2019’s Grand Slam calendar. Facing Novak Djokovic, the two played out the longest singles final in Wimbledon history. It took Djokovic four hours and 57 minutes to defeat Federer 7–6(7–5), 1–6, 7–6(7–4), 4–6, 13–12(7–3).
2019’s final Grand Slam, the US Open, saw Federer crash out in the quarter-finals. Unseeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, who has fallen down the rankings to 78th in the world, rediscovered some of his old form to come from a set down and beat Federer 3–6, 6–4, 3–6, 6–4, 6–2.

If you’re looking at the latest odds on the Australian Open, you’ll find Federer slightly down the pecking order at odds of 17/2, behind his rivals Nadal and Djokovic, and world number 4 Daniil Medvedev.

Since the US Open, Federer has only played a handful of events: the Shanghai Masters, the Swiss Indoors (which he won) and the ATP finals. But after that, he’s decided that he won’t play in any professional tournaments for almost two months. It’s a move that could pay off – after all, he reached the semi-finals of the French Open after three years away from the clay court.

Of his decision not to partake in any of the Australian Open warm-up competitions, Federer said: “I think with age and experience I can be confident about what I do in training. I’ll travel to Melbourne early to give myself the best chance to be ready. I believe I can be ready. I don’t think I need a ton of matches especially on the hard courts but maybe I’m a bit more dependent on the draw early on at the Australian Open but the key is health and if I’m healthy I know stuff can be achieved.”

Since Federer last won a Grand Slam title, Djokovic has won four and Nadal has won three. His rivals are hot on the heels of his record, with the Serbian on 16 and the Spaniard just one behind on 19. You can’t help but feel that time is running out for FedEx. Should the other two members of the ‘Big Three’ stay fit, they have the potential of overtaking his tally.

UTR, Tennis Australia Announce Multi-City Australian Open UTR Wildcard Playoff

October 15, 2019 by TennisGrandstand

Universal Tennis (www.MyUTR.com) and Tennis Australia, today announced the AO2020 UTR Wildcard Playoff, a multi-week, multi-city event that gives all tennis players, regardless of age and ability, the opportunity to play their way into the main draw of the Australian Open 2020 via the AO Wildcard Playoff in Melbourne.

The new AO2020 UTR Wildcard Playoff will kick off in Queensland from Thursday 7th to Sunday 10th November, with New South Wales to follow from Thursday 14th to Sunday 17th November. The top two finishers (male and female) in each event will advance to the AO2020 UTR Wildcard Playoff Finals in Melbourne, from which two winners will gain entry into the AO Wildcard Playoff, held Monday 9th to Sunday 15th December.

The AO2020 UTR Wildcard Playoff will utilize the Universal Tennis tournament platform and organize draws based on a player’s Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) Powered by Oracle, to create a competitive, level-based staggered entry format. Staggered entry draws based on UTR have quickly been gaining global traction as the preferred way to create a truly open community tournament where players are matched purely on skill level for better competition.

Craig Tiley, Tennis Australia CEO and Australian Open Tournament Director said, “This is an exciting chance for us to open up opportunities for the everyday player and bring a new level of innovation to the Australian Open. The AO 2020 UTR Wildcard Playoff will encourage players of all levels to get excited about the sport as well as offer a creative and fun way for them to get involved. Our partnership with Universal Tennis is integral to our efforts to grow the game and create more opportunities for players of all levels to have a fantastic tennis experience wherever they are.”

The AO2020 UTR Wildcard Playoff is part of a long-term partnership between Tennis Australia and Universal Tennis that aims to create more pathways within the game and increase local participation through level-based tennis. Today, there are tens of thousands of tennis players in Australia who have a UTR, which allows them to unlock a more fun and flexible tennis experience by finding better matches and more people to play with.

“Our goal at Universal Tennis is to increase tennis participation in local ecosystems and bring players together via level-based play opportunities,” said Mark Leschly, Universal Tennis Chairman and CEO. “Together with Tennis Australia, we are excited to offer players a new road to the Australian Open via the AO2020 UTR Wildcard Playoff. Creating engaging events that allow players of any level to have a competitive match is key to achieving our shared goal of growing the game and making tennis more affordable, accessible, and fun for all.”

AO2020 UTR Wildcard Playoff Calendar:

● Stage 1 – Queensland Qualifying: Thursday 7th November to Sunday 10th November 2019. New South Wales Qualifying: Thursday 14th November to Sunday 17th November. Two finalists from each event will move on to Stage 2.
● Stage 2 – Melbourne Final: Friday 6th December and Saturday 7th December 2019. Two winners receive entry into the AO Wildcard Playoff.
● Stage 3 – Melbourne AO Wildcard Playoff: Monday 9th December to Sunday 15th December 2019. Winner receives entry into the Australian Open Main Draw.

Registration for the New South Wales and Queensland AO UTR Wildcard Playoff Qualifying closes on October 30, 2019 at 11:59 PM AEST. For more information and to register for the Queensland AO UTR Wildcard Playoff visit MyUTR.com/AOWCQLD. To register for the New South Wales AO UTR Wildcard Playoff visit MyUTR.com/AOWCNSW.

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About Universal Tennis
The mission of Universal Tennis is to make tennis more affordable, accessible and fun for all players, regardless of age, gender, level and socioeconomic status. Anchored by the Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) Powered by Oracle – the world’s most accurate tennis rating system – Universal Tennis is creating opportunities and pathways for players from all over the world, in all stages of life, to find better matches and unlock a more fun and flexible tennis experience. Visit MyUTR.com to learn more.

About Tennis Australia
Tennis Australia is the governing body of tennis in Australia, promoting and facilitating participation in tennis at all levels. TA also conducts national and international tournaments including the Australian Open. For more information please visit tennis.com.au.

Lleyton Hewitt vs. Bernard Tomic – An Analysis

February 8, 2019 by TennisGrandstand

by Rajagopalan Rohinee

Australians Alex de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin and Alex Bolt came up with impressive performances for their nation when the world and its tennis players gathered to play the season’s first major there in Melbourne at the Australian Open. Lleyton Hewitt, the country’s Davis Cup captain and its last major titlist (among the men), speaking highly of them also effectively shut any doubts that may have lingered about their individual potential.

All this made for a perfect segue – of a country’s old sporting guard validating the credentials of the new – except for one, major blot marring the scene. That of Bernard Tomic who, a few years ago, had been similarly welcomed into the fold as one of Australia’s brightest future prospects and who accused Hewitt of throttling his career – especially when it came to playing the Davis Cup – and prioritising his self-interests.

The continuing spillage of rebutting allegations and counter-rebuttals to these between Hewitt and Tomic has now taken on a distinct note of “He Said-He Said”. Aside from this, however, the ongoing fracas has led to implications beyond a cursory professional falling-out.

Tomic’s accusations at the Australian Open that Hewitt was creating a conflict of interest both by captaining the Australian Davis Cup team and continuing to play professionally on the ATP Tour does present the former world No. 1 in an unflattering light. Although Hewitt did not play the doubles rubber in Australia’s Davis Cup qualifier tie against Bosnia-Herzegovina in February in Adelaide, the fact that he would be playing doubles in a few upcoming ATP events then conveys the message that he is trying to secure the best of both worlds for himself.

Not that being the Davis Cup captain and playing on the Tour are mutually exclusive. But while Hewitt had made a big show of announcing his retirement from the circuit a couple of years ago, there is a lack of certitude and clarity as to what is his status on the circuit presently. Is Hewitt to be considered retired, professional, semi-retired or semi-professional?

Hewitt’s response to Tomic’s allegations that the 26-year-old had issued threats and blackmailed him – and his family – highlighted his thuggish behaviour all over again. Hewitt’s stance of not being keen on selecting Tomic in the Australian Davis Cup squad was also justified, given Tomic’s penchant of displaying lack of commitment in matches, and towards the sport in general.

Also, considering that Tomic had blown a seemingly innocuous question about his availability for the Davis Cup into a theory of ill-intentions, not only towards him but also towards his compatriots – Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis – neither of whom who were in the picture nor a part of the question, showed his immaturity once again. Then, he may have had raised valid concerns about Hewitt purportedly side-lining Kyrgios and Kokkinakis, but his rant was definitely ill-timed. Most importantly, Tomic need not have tagged Tennis Australia, too, into the fracas thereby forcing them to pick a side – which they eventually did. To that end, Tomic lost twice-over when Tennis Australia not only sided with their Davis Cup captain but also cut off the financial support that it had been providing him.

Interestingly, in Tomic’s downward spiral touching a new low – after his interview with Chanel 9’s 60 Minutes, in which he accepted that he had indeed threatened Hewitt – the initial point he had been trying to raise, about Hewitt’s status quo in the general scheme of things, was conveniently deflected. Moreover, with the Australian team marching to the Davis Cup finals with a mammoth 4-0 win over the Eastern European nation, Hewitt’s assertive captaincy has come to be seen as redoubtable so much so that his statement of Tomic never donning Australian colours for the Davis Cup takes on an ominous ring, shutting the door on Tomic in more ways than one.