MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Two-time finalist Daniil Medvedev and US Open champion Coco Gauff swept into the second round of the Australian Open on Monday, Jan. 15, but Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova was sent packing. USA's Coco Gauff hits a return against Slovakia's Anna Karolina Schmiedlova during...
MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Naomi Osaka makes her comeback to Grand Slam tennis on day two of the Australian Open on Monday, Jan. 15, while Daniil Medvedev has vowed to turn over a new leaf and be "more mature" on court. Japan’s Naomi Osaka (AFP/File photo) New mum Osaka, 26, stepped away from the sport...
MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Novak Djokovic survived a fierce test against teenager Dino Prizmic at the Australian Open on Sunday, Jan. 14, as he launched his bid for a historic 25th Grand Slam, but defending women's champion Aryna Sabalenka destroyed her opponent 6-0, 6-1. Serbia's Novak Djokovic hits a...
MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Novak Djokovic launched his bid for Grand Slam history at the Australian Open on Sunday, Jan. 14, against an 18-year-old qualifier after fifth seed Andrey Rublev survived a huge scare to progress. Serbia's Novak Djokovic (AFP) Women's second seed Aryna Sabalenka starts her own...
MELBOURNE (AFP) -- A "pain-free" Novak Djokovic begins his Australian Open defense against a teenage qualifier on Sunday, Jan. 14, as he bids for an unprecedented 25th major crown, but women's top seed Iga Swiatek faces a much trickier assignment. Serbia's Novak Djokovic (AFP/File photo)...
MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Carlos Alcaraz says the challenge of toppling 10-time champion Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open gives him "extra motivation" as he aims to end the Serbian's long reign in Melbourne. Spain's Carlos Alcaraz (AFP/File photo) The Spanish world number two missed the Grand Slam...
MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Coco Gauff says she will try and use the "mental fire" that propelled her to US Open glory at Melbourne Park as she set her sights on winning multiple Grand Slam titles. USA's Coco Gauff (AFP/File photo) The 19-year-old American said her victory at Flushing Meadows in September...
MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Caroline Wozniacki admits ultimately she will "never be cool" to her two young children even as they watch her pursue more Grand Slam glory at the Australian Open. Caroline Wozniacki of the Netherlands (AFP) The Dane made a shock return to tennis last year after retiring in 2020,...
MELBOURNE (AFP) -- World number one Iga Swiatek said on Friday, Jan. 12, a "peaceful" off-season had left her more focused heading into the Australian Open as she targets her first Grand Slam title at Melbourne Park. Poland's Iga Swiatek (AFP) The Polish top seed is in imperious form, dropping just...
MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Naomi Osaka said on Friday, Jan. 12, she can "feel the nostalgia" at the Australian Open as the two-time former champion prepares to make her return to Grand Slam tennis after becoming a mother. Japan's Naomi Osaka (AFP) The former world number one stepped away from tennis in...
MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Aryna Sabalenka said on Friday, Jan. 12, she felt "really great" heading into the defense of her Australian Open title, with a hard grind during the pre-season making her "as ready as I can be". The 25-year-old Belarusian had a breakthrough 2023 in which she claimed a maiden...
AUCKLAND (AFP) -- Britain's world number 19 Cameron Norrie pulled out of the Auckland Classic with a wrist injury on Thursday, Jan. 11, leaving his fitness in doubt just three days before the Australian Open. Britain's Cameron Norrie (AFP) American top seed Ben Shelton had just powered past...
