MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Top seed Novak Djokovic was drawn on Thursday, Jan. 11, against a qualifier or lucky loser to begin his bid for an 11th Australian Open crown, and could meet fellow Grand Slam champion Andy Murray in the third round. Great Britain's Andy Murray (left) and Serbia's Novak Djokovic...
MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Iga Swiatek will be a hot favorite to win a first Australian Open when it begins on Sunday, Jan. 14, but could face a stiff challenge from former champions Aryna Sabalenka and Naomi Osaka. Poland's Iga Swiatek (top), Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka (bottom left) and Japan's Naomi Osaka...
AUCKLAND (AFP) -- Top seed Ben Shelton got his Australian Open preparations back on track on Wednesday, Jan. 10, after a run of defeats with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Hungary's Fabian Marozsan at the Auckland Classic. USA's Ben Shelton (AFP) The American world number 16 reached the quarterfinal of the...
MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Iga Swiatek is in scintillating form as she seeks a maiden Australian Open crown, but she could face a stiff test from defending champion Aryna Sabalenka while two-time winner Naomi Osaka is making her comeback. Poland's Iga Swiatek (AFP) World number one Swiatek has won 17 of...
ADELAIDE (AFP) -- Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova pulled out of the Adelaide International with a hip injury on Tuesday, Jan. 9, just days before the Australian Open, as Jelena Ostapenko set up a clash against Caroline Garcia. Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko (AFP) Czech world number seven...
MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Novak Djokovic is once again red-hot favorite at the Australian Open as he chases an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title, but a wrist problem and the emergence of Carlos Alcaraz puts his all-conquering reign under threat. Spain's Carlos Alcaraz (left) and Serbia's Novak Djokovic...
HONG KONG (AFP) -- World number five Andrey Rublev prepared for next week's Australian Open in perfect style as he swept past Finland's Emil Ruusuvuori 6-4, 6-4 to win the Hong Kong Open on Sunday, Jan. 7. Russia’s Andrey Rublev holds the trophy after winning the match against Finland’s Emil...
MELBOURNE (AFP) -- Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal on Sunday, Jan. 7, pulled out of the Australian Open with a "micro tear on a muscle" barely a week after making his comeback from a year-long injury absence, but said he remained positive. Spain's Rafael Nadal (AFP) The 37-year-old had been out of...
BRISBANE (AFP) -- Elena Rybakina will head to the Australian Open full of confidence after demolishing Aryna Sabalenka in the Brisbane International final on Sunday, Jan. 7, while Grigor Dimitrov upset Holger Rune to win his first title since 2017. Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan (left) holds the...
BRISBANE (AFP) -- Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray said 2024 could be his final year before retirement after illness and injury hampered his preparation for the new season. Two-time Wimbledon champion Great Britain's Andy Murray (AFP) Murray's year will begin at the Brisbane International as...
AUCKLAND (AFP) -- World number three Coco Gauff said on Sunday, Dec. 31, she felt more relaxed heading into the next month's Australian Open after achieving her goal of winning a Grand Slam title as a teenager. USA's Coco Gauff (AFP) The 19-year-old won the US Open in September and said it was a...
BRISBANE (AFP) -- Rafael Nadal left the door ajar on Sunday, Dec. 31, to continuing after the 2024 season, but conceded there was "a high percentage" that he was on his last trip as a player to Australia. Spain's Rafael Nadal speaks during a press conference at the Brisbane International tennis...
