<p>Tennis champion <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/humbled-naomi-osaka-reveals-pressure-of-being-number-one-254168">Naomi Osaka</a> threw a tantrum against Zheng Saisai at the Australian Open but offered a light-hearted apology to her racket sponsor after overcoming her frustrations to set up a third-round clash with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tennis-naomi-osaka-trolls-serena-williams-calls-her-mom-274595">Coco Gauff</a>.</p>

<p>Third-seed Osaka threw her racket after dropping serve early in the second set, slammed a ball into the court and gave her racket a kick for good measure before regaining her composure and earning a 6-2 6-4 win on a gusty day at Margaret Court Arena.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
“I mean, my racket just magically flew out of my hand,” Osaka told reporters with a smile. “I couldn’t control it. Sorry, Yonex. I think that’s how I dealt with my frustration. It was a bit childish. I just want to play one match without throwing my racket or kicking it. That’s all I want.”</p>

<p><strong>Also Read</strong>:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/naomi-osaka-returns-to-winning-ways-with-pan-pacific-open-crown-251214">Naomi Osaka returns to winning ways with Pan Pacific Open crown</a></p>

<p><img alt="Naomi Osaka" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e162c995-5630-4e86-bb8d-4a9ddfa401ef" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2867%29.jpg" /><br />
<em>[&nbsp;Naomi Osaka offered a light-hearted apology to her racket sponsor for throwing a tantrum (Courtesy: AFP) ]</em></p>

<p>The match echoed of her tumultuous third-round win over Hsieh Su-wei at the same venue last year, when Osaka was distracted by her opponent's unorthodox technique of slices and drop-shots.</p>

<p>Hsieh was ultimately overhauled by Osaka and she claimed her second Grand Slam Title with another thunderous victory over Petra Kvitova.</p>

<p>“Yeah, it’s really tough, because you start thinking she’s not hitting winners,” said Osaka who was determined to avoid a third set against Zheng.</p>

<p>“You’re the one making all the errors. And you try to tell yourself not to make that many errors, but you have to go for those balls. “So it’s like you’re walking a very fine line between being very aggressive or attempting to push but that’s her game. So it’s very hard.”</p>

<p>Osaka was broken again after her tantrum and fell 4-2 behind, but fought off her rainclouds and shot Zheng down in a firestorm of winners.</p>

<p>Gauff set up a blockbuster rematch with her US&nbsp;Open conqueror Osaka by beating Romania’s Sorana Cirstea 4-6 6-3 7-5 at the Melbourne Arena. “I played her at the US&nbsp;Open so I know what to expect,” Gauff said of Osaka in her on-court interview. “I think she’s a great competitor on and off the court.”</p>


Tennis champion Naomi Osaka threw a tantrum against Zheng Saisai at the Australian Open but offered a light-hearted apology to her racket sponsor after overcoming her frustrations to set up a third-round clash with Coco Gauff.

Tennis champion Naomi Osaka threw a tantrum against Zheng Saisai at the Australian Open but offered a light-hearted apology to her racket sponsor after overcoming her frustrations to set up a third-round clash with Coco Gauff. Third-seed Osaka threw her racket after dropping serve early in the second set, slammed a ball into the court and gave her racket a kick for good measure before regaining her composure and earning a 6-2 6-4 win on a gusty day at Margaret Court Arena. “I mean, my racket just magically flew out of my hand,” Osaka told reporters with a smile. “I couldn’t control it. Sorry, Yonex. I think that’s how I dealt with my frustration. It was a bit childish. I just want to play one match without throwing my racket or kicking it. That’s all I want.” Also Read: Naomi Osaka returns to winning ways with Pan Pacific Open crown [ Naomi Osaka offered a light-hearted apology to her racket sponsor for throwing a tantrum (Courtesy: AFP) ] The match echoed of her tumultuous third-round win over Hsieh Su-wei at the same venue last year, when Osaka was distracted by her opponent's unorthodox technique of slices and drop-shots. Hsieh was ultimately overhauled by Osaka and she claimed her second Grand Slam Title with another thunderous victory over Petra Kvitova. “Yeah, it’s really tough, because you start thinking she’s not hitting winners,” said Osaka who was determined to avoid a third set against Zheng. “You’re the one making all the errors. And you try to tell yourself not to make that many errors, but you have to go for those balls. “So it’s like you’re walking a very fine line between being very aggressive or attempting to push but that’s her game. So it’s very hard.” Osaka was broken again after her tantrum and fell 4-2 behind, but fought off her rainclouds and shot Zheng down in a firestorm of winners. Gauff set up a blockbuster rematch with her US Open conqueror Osaka by beating Romania’s Sorana Cirstea 4-6 6-3 7-5 at the Melbourne Arena. “I played her at the US Open so I know what to expect,” Gauff said of Osaka in her on-court interview. “I think she’s a great competitor on and off the court.”

Australian Open: After kicking racket, Osaka admits she was 'a bit childish'

<p>Third seed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-open-nadal-and-federer-pledge-a250000-towards-relief-workers-in-charity-event-274432">Roger&nbsp;Federer</a>&nbsp;hit winners at will in an imperious display as he cantered into the third round of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/emotional-wozniacki-stays-alive-in-australian-open-swansong-275902">Australian Open</a> with a 6-1 6-4 6-1 thumping of Serbian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/coco-crunch-for-osaka-as-djokovic-bowls-over-wildcard-275901">Filip Krajinovic</a> on Wednesday.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">2️⃣1️⃣ / 2️⃣1️⃣<a href="https://twitter.com/rogerfederer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rogerfederer</a> maintains his peRFect record of having always reached the third round at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusOpen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AusOpen</a>, def. Filip Krajinovic 6-1 6-4 6-1.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AO2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AO2020</a> <a href="https://t.co/852qUhDFUr">pic.twitter.com/852qUhDFUr</a></p>
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) <a href="https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen/status/1219945900258353152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Starting his second-round match at around 2100 local time on Rod Laver Arena, the six-time champion appeared to be in a hurry to finish the contest, breaking his opponent's serve twice in the first two sets and thrice in the third.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-open-nadal-djokovic-and-federer-go-through-first-round-rain-plays-spoil-spot-275705"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Australian Open: Nadal, Djokovic, and Federer go through first round, rain plays spoil sport</strong></a></p>

<p>Krajinovic took a medical timeout to have his right upper arm attended with&nbsp;Federer&nbsp;leading 2-1 in the third set but it made no difference to the momentum for the 20-times Grand Slam champion, who hit his 42nd winner to end the contest in a little over 90 minutes.</p>

<p>He breezed through the next four games and hit a crosscourt forehand winner - his 42nd of the night - to end the contest in a little over 90 minutes.</p>

<p>Krajinovic's first outing against a top-five player at a Grand Slam ended up being a forgettable occasion.</p>

<p>The 41st-ranked player had his first-round match against Quentin Halys postponed due to rain on Monday and faced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tennis-federer-and-williams-lead-way-to-raise-funds-for-relief-workers-in-australia-273899">Federer&nbsp;</a>after needing almost four hours to battle past the French qualifier in five sets on Tuesday.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-open-nadal-and-federer-pledge-a250000-towards-relief-workers-in-charity-event-274432">Australian Open: Nadal, Federer pledge A$250,000 towards bushfire relief</a></strong></p>

<p>"I thought it wasn't 100% fair that he played three-and-a-half hours yesterday and me zero,"&nbsp;Federer&nbsp;said in an on-court interview. "The rain helped me. I do feel a little bit sorry actually like this but you have to take advantage of it."</p>

<p>Krajinovic's first serve percentage in the first two sets was almost 90%, which&nbsp;Federer&nbsp;called "rare". But it had no impact on the outcome of the match.</p>

<p>Unlike his main rivals,&nbsp;Federer, who won his last major title in 2018 at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/second-seed-pliskova-starts-melbourne-title-tilt-with-win-275707">Melbourne</a> Park, opted out of the inaugural <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/djokovic-and-nadal-rally-for-merger-of-atp-cup-and-davis-cup-271915">ATP Cup</a> in Australia to spend more time with his family before launching his 22nd season on Tour.</p>

<p>"I prefer this much more than (being) overcooked,"&nbsp;Federer&nbsp;told reporters. "As easy as it looks, there's always the effort, trying to extend the lead.</p>

<p>"Of course, it's not quite the same stress level if you're down a set or a break or two sets, whatever it may be. I prefer it this way because you have always extra left in the tank if you need it."</p>

<p>Next up for&nbsp;Federer, who was broken only once in the match, will be a meeting against local hope <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/rafael-nadal-delivers-glory-for-spain-as-davis-cup-starts-new-era-264332">John Millman</a>&nbsp;who beat him in four sets at the 2018 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/worst-brawl-opens-in-kansas-game-in-national-collegiate-athletic-associations-basketball-match-275896">US&nbsp;Open.</a></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In a rematch of the 4R at the 2018 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USOpen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USOpen</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/rogerfederer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rogerfederer</a> will meet Aussie <a href="https://twitter.com/johnhmillman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@johnhmillman</a> in the third round at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AO2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AO2020</a>.<br />
<br />
Here's what the World No.3 had to say 🔊<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusOpen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AusOpen</a> <a href="https://t.co/gUjMvKU1cB">pic.twitter.com/gUjMvKU1cB</a></p>
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) <a href="https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen/status/1219948752150171648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>"He's a super good guy, unbelievably tough opponent,"&nbsp;Federer&nbsp;said. "There are not many fitter guys than him out there and those are the guys I respect the most, actually.</p>

<p>"He gets absolutely the most out of the game and I hope it is going to be a great match with some great rallies."</p>


Third seed Roger Federer hit winners at will in an imperious display as he cantered into the third round of the Australian Open with a 6-1 6-4 6-1 thumping of Serbian Filip Krajinovic on Wednesday.

Third seed Roger Federer hit winners at will in an imperious display as he cantered into the third round of the Australian Open with a 6-1 6-4 6-1 thumping of Serbian Filip Krajinovic on Wednesday. 2️⃣1️⃣ / 2️⃣1️⃣@rogerfederer maintains his peRFect record of having always reached the third round at the #AusOpen, def. Filip Krajinovic 6-1 6-4 6-1.#AO2020 pic.twitter.com/852qUhDFUr — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2020 × Starting his second-round match at around 2100 local time on Rod Laver Arena, the six-time champion appeared to be in a hurry to finish the contest, breaking his opponent's serve twice in the first two sets and thrice in the third. Also read: Australian Open: Nadal, Djokovic, and Federer go through first round, rain plays spoil sport Krajinovic took a medical timeout to have his right upper arm attended with Federer leading 2-1 in the third set but it made no difference to the momentum for the 20-times Grand Slam champion, who hit his 42nd winner to end the contest in a little over 90 minutes. He breezed through the next four games and hit a crosscourt forehand winner - his 42nd of the night - to end the contest in a little over 90 minutes. Krajinovic's first outing against a top-five player at a Grand Slam ended up being a forgettable occasion. The 41st-ranked player had his first-round match against Quentin Halys postponed due to rain on Monday and faced Federer after needing almost four hours to battle past the French qualifier in five sets on Tuesday. Also read: Australian Open: Nadal, Federer pledge A$250,000 towards bushfire relief "I thought it wasn't 100% fair that he played three-and-a-half hours yesterday and me zero," Federer said in an on-court interview. "The rain helped me. I do feel a little bit sorry actually like this but you have to take advantage of it." Krajinovic's first serve percentage in the first two sets was almost 90%, which Federer called "rare". But it had no impact on the outcome of the match. Unlike his main rivals, Federer, who won his last major title in 2018 at Melbourne Park, opted out of the inaugural ATP Cup in Australia to spend more time with his family before launching his 22nd season on Tour. "I prefer this much more than (being) overcooked," Federer told reporters. "As easy as it looks, there's always the effort, trying to extend the lead. "Of course, it's not quite the same stress level if you're down a set or a break or two sets, whatever it may be. I prefer it this way because you have always extra left in the tank if you need it." Next up for Federer, who was broken only once in the match, will be a meeting against local hope John Millman who beat him in four sets at the 2018 US Open. In a rematch of the 4R at the 2018 #USOpen, @rogerfederer will meet Aussie @johnhmillman in the third round at #AO2020. Here's what the World No.3 had to say 🔊#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/gUjMvKU1cB — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 22, 2020 × "He's a super good guy, unbelievably tough opponent," Federer said. "There are not many fitter guys than him out there and those are the guys I respect the most, actually. "He gets absolutely the most out of the game and I hope it is going to be a great match with some great rallies."

Federer sweeps past Krajinovic into third round in Australian Open

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidIforuiq9zm23" /><meta charset="utf-8" /><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wta-finals-despite-knee-injury-defending-champion-wozniacki-beats-petra-kvitova-173064">Caroline Wozniacki</a> had tears in her eyes as she kept alive her dreams of a triumphant farewell to tennis at the Australian Open on Wednesday. The 29-year-old former world number one roared back in both sets to defeat 23rd-seeded Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine 7-5, 7-5.&nbsp; Neil Diamond's hit "Sweet Caroline" rang around a blustery Margaret Court Arena after the Dane nailed her sixth match point to reach round three.</p>

<p>She plays Ons Jabeur of Tunisia on Friday. "It's a little bit emotional for me," said <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/caroline-wozniacki-seeks-repeat-at-wide-open-wta-finals-172491">Wozniacki</a>, the 2018 Australian Open winner who announced in December that this would be her final tournament. "The crowd really got behind me so that was so special. Thank you, everyone, for coming out today, it really means a lot to me," she added, fighting back tears.</p>

<p><img alt="Caroline Wozniacki" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ffac7b7d-83e9-4691-a7b7-b1ede81d882d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2854%29_0.jpg" /><br />
<em>[ Caroline Wozniacki (Courtesy: Reuters) ]</em></p>

<p>The 19-year-old Yastremska, beaten by world number one Ashleigh Barty in last week's final in Adelaide, threatened to put a swift end to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/caroline-wozniacki-storms-into-3rd-round-may-meet-maria-sharapova-in-next-round-190697">Wozniacki's career</a>. But having been 5-1 down in the first set, Wozniacki - who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, which causes fatigue and joint pain - fought back to claim the set in 53 tough minutes. Now ranked 36, having ended 2010 and 2011 at number one in the world, Wozniacki was similarly quickly down 3-0 in the second set.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read</strong>:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/caroline-wozniacki-upbeat-ahead-of-australian-open-defence-189965">Caroline Wozniacki upbeat ahead of Australian Open defence</a></p>

<p>But once again she battled back to make it 4-4, then held her own serve to lead 5-4 and within touching distance of round three. Yastremska then required a medical timeout for what appeared to be a left thigh problem and returned to court with heavy strapping. She saved five match points, but with the crowd firmly behind her, Wozniacki would not be denied at the sixth attempt, the young Ukrainian looping a forehand long.</p>

<p><strong>- Tribute to Dad -</strong></p>

<p>The Dane, who says that a major reason for retiring was to start a family with her husband and former NBA star David Lee, admitted that she feared at the beginning that Yastremska would blow her away. "She came out swinging... and everything was going in, even balls that I don't think she knew were possible to hit it that way," said Wozniacki, who has won 30 WTA titles in a professional tennis career going back to 2005.</p>

<p>"I was just thinking to myself: it surely can't continue. If it's going to continue, then there is not much I can do." Wozniacki, who began playing tennis aged seven, is coached by her father Piotr, a former professional footballer. Asked what the best decision had been in her career, she said: "I think sticking with my dad and that partnership, I think, has made me the player that I am today. "I definitely wouldn't have been where I am today if it wasn't for him because the trust that was there between us and just the journey was amazing."</p>


Caroline Wozniacki had tears in her eyes as she kept alive her dreams of a triumphant farewell to tennis at the Australian Open on Wednesday. The 29-year-old former world number one roared back in both sets to defeat 23rd-seeded Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine 7-5, 7-5.

Caroline Wozniacki had tears in her eyes as she kept alive her dreams of a triumphant farewell to tennis at the Australian Open on Wednesday. The 29-year-old former world number one roared back in both sets to defeat 23rd-seeded Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine 7-5, 7-5. Neil Diamond's hit "Sweet Caroline" rang around a blustery Margaret Court Arena after the Dane nailed her sixth match point to reach round three. She plays Ons Jabeur of Tunisia on Friday. "It's a little bit emotional for me," said Wozniacki, the 2018 Australian Open winner who announced in December that this would be her final tournament. "The crowd really got behind me so that was so special. Thank you, everyone, for coming out today, it really means a lot to me," she added, fighting back tears. [ Caroline Wozniacki (Courtesy: Reuters) ] The 19-year-old Yastremska, beaten by world number one Ashleigh Barty in last week's final in Adelaide, threatened to put a swift end to Wozniacki's career. But having been 5-1 down in the first set, Wozniacki - who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, which causes fatigue and joint pain - fought back to claim the set in 53 tough minutes. Now ranked 36, having ended 2010 and 2011 at number one in the world, Wozniacki was similarly quickly down 3-0 in the second set. Also Read: Caroline Wozniacki upbeat ahead of Australian Open defence But once again she battled back to make it 4-4, then held her own serve to lead 5-4 and within touching distance of round three. Yastremska then required a medical timeout for what appeared to be a left thigh problem and returned to court with heavy strapping. She saved five match points, but with the crowd firmly behind her, Wozniacki would not be denied at the sixth attempt, the young Ukrainian looping a forehand long. - Tribute to Dad - The Dane, who says that a major reason for retiring was to start a family with her husband and former NBA star David Lee, admitted that she feared at the beginning that Yastremska would blow her away. "She came out swinging... and everything was going in, even balls that I don't think she knew were possible to hit it that way," said Wozniacki, who has won 30 WTA titles in a professional tennis career going back to 2005. "I was just thinking to myself: it surely can't continue. If it's going to continue, then there is not much I can do." Wozniacki, who began playing tennis aged seven, is coached by her father Piotr, a former professional footballer. Asked what the best decision had been in her career, she said: "I think sticking with my dad and that partnership, I think, has made me the player that I am today. "I definitely wouldn't have been where I am today if it wasn't for him because the trust that was there between us and just the journey was amazing."

Emotional Wozniacki stays alive in Australian Open swansong

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidgmUAGmr4X0kL" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>Fifteen-year-old prodigy Coco Gauff set up an Australian Open blockbuster with defending champion Naomi Osaka on Wednesday, as Novak Djokovic strode towards his eighth title in Melbourne.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fighting-coco-sets-up-naomi-osaka-showdown-at-us-open-246551">American teenager Gauff</a>, showing a tenacity which is becoming her trademark, clawed her way back from a set down to beat the experienced Sorana Cirstea 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. Gauff, who screamed and pumped her fists as she completed her victory, said he "will win" had got her through the tough second-round match at a windswept Melbourne Park.</p>

<p>"My parents always told me you can always come back -&nbsp;no matter what the score is," said Gauff, who beat seven-time Grand Slam champion, Venus Williams, in round one.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/i-never-give-up-says-gauff-as-she-bows-out-of-wimbledon-234181">Gauff </a>also beat Williams on her Grand Slam debut last year at Wimbledon, and in another quirk, she faced Osaka in the US Open third round, going down meekly in straight sets. Japan's Osaka, 22, beat China's Zheng Saisai 6-2, 6-4 but briefly lost her cool mid-match, hurling and kicking her racquet when she gave up a break in the second set.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read</strong>:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/gauff-15-stuns-venus-williams-in-australian-open-first-round-275417">Gauff, 15, stuns Venus Williams in Australian Open first round</a></p>

<p><img alt="Coco Gauff" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4cd5f95c-7276-4601-94fb-f6dd5989ebaa" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2853%29_0.jpg" /><br />
<em>[ Coco Gauff (Courtesy: Reuters) ]</em></p>

<p>"I was thinking that I really don't want to play the third set this time," explained Osaka, who is defending a Grand Slam title for the second time. Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki, playing her final tournament before retiring, lived to fight again as she came from behind in both sets for a 7-5, 7-5 win over Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine.</p>

<p>And Australia's world number one Ashleigh Barty raced through 6-1, 6-4 against Polona Hercog, buoying hopes of a first home winner since 1978. "It was very different end to end, I think the wind was a massive factor particularly with the new ball," she said.</p>

<p><strong>'Tough conditions'</strong></p>

<p>Djokovic also weathered the breeze - which follows heavy rain on Monday, and smog from bushfires last week -&nbsp;to beat Japanese wildcard Tatsuma Ito 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in 95 minutes. "They were tough conditions, pretty windy and it was hard to know where the balls were going. My serve helped a lot to get me out of trouble," said the Serb.</p>

<p>Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas was handed a slice of fortune when Philipp Kohlschreiber withdrew injured from what looked like a testing match, giving the sixth seed a bye into the third round. In other results, Petra Kvitova, last year's runner-up, came through 7-5, 7-5 against Paula Badosa of Spain, and China's Zhang Shuai ousted American Caty McNally 6-2, 6-4.</p>

<p>Among eight first-round matches held over from Tuesday, after rain wiped out half of Monday's schedule, Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro, also retiring this year, upset Belarusian 11th seed Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets. Later in Melbourne, Serena Williams plays her second-round match against Slovenia's Tamara Zidansek, with Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam titles in her sight, and Roger Federer faces Serbia's Filip Krajinovic.</p>


Fifteen-year-old prodigy Coco Gauff set up an Australian Open blockbuster with defending champion Naomi Osaka on Wednesday, as Novak Djokovic strode towards his eighth title in Melbourne.

Fifteen-year-old prodigy Coco Gauff set up an Australian Open blockbuster with defending champion Naomi Osaka on Wednesday, as Novak Djokovic strode towards his eighth title in Melbourne. American teenager Gauff, showing a tenacity which is becoming her trademark, clawed her way back from a set down to beat the experienced Sorana Cirstea 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. Gauff, who screamed and pumped her fists as she completed her victory, said he "will win" had got her through the tough second-round match at a windswept Melbourne Park. "My parents always told me you can always come back - no matter what the score is," said Gauff, who beat seven-time Grand Slam champion, Venus Williams, in round one. Gauff also beat Williams on her Grand Slam debut last year at Wimbledon, and in another quirk, she faced Osaka in the US Open third round, going down meekly in straight sets. Japan's Osaka, 22, beat China's Zheng Saisai 6-2, 6-4 but briefly lost her cool mid-match, hurling and kicking her racquet when she gave up a break in the second set. Also Read: Gauff, 15, stuns Venus Williams in Australian Open first round [ Coco Gauff (Courtesy: Reuters) ] "I was thinking that I really don't want to play the third set this time," explained Osaka, who is defending a Grand Slam title for the second time. Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki, playing her final tournament before retiring, lived to fight again as she came from behind in both sets for a 7-5, 7-5 win over Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine. And Australia's world number one Ashleigh Barty raced through 6-1, 6-4 against Polona Hercog, buoying hopes of a first home winner since 1978. "It was very different end to end, I think the wind was a massive factor particularly with the new ball," she said. 'Tough conditions' Djokovic also weathered the breeze - which follows heavy rain on Monday, and smog from bushfires last week - to beat Japanese wildcard Tatsuma Ito 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in 95 minutes. "They were tough conditions, pretty windy and it was hard to know where the balls were going. My serve helped a lot to get me out of trouble," said the Serb. Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas was handed a slice of fortune when Philipp Kohlschreiber withdrew injured from what looked like a testing match, giving the sixth seed a bye into the third round. In other results, Petra Kvitova, last year's runner-up, came through 7-5, 7-5 against Paula Badosa of Spain, and China's Zhang Shuai ousted American Caty McNally 6-2, 6-4. Among eight first-round matches held over from Tuesday, after rain wiped out half of Monday's schedule, Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro, also retiring this year, upset Belarusian 11th seed Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets. Later in Melbourne, Serena Williams plays her second-round match against Slovenia's Tamara Zidansek, with Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam titles in her sight, and Roger Federer faces Serbia's Filip Krajinovic.

Coco crunch for Osaka as Djokovic bowls over wildcard

<p>Amanda Anisimova burst into tears in the post-match media conference after she was asked about her father, &nbsp;the American rising star bowed out of the first round of the Australian Open this year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She was playing her first major Grand Slam post her father's untimed demise. Her father died due to a heart attack. The shocking tragedy took place just before the 2019 US Open.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Missing you 🕊😞</p>
— Amanda Anisimova (@AnisimovaAmanda) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnisimovaAmanda/status/1214866902675116040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>World No 21 Amanda was beaten (6-3, 4-6, 6-3) by World No 73 Zarina Diyas in an upset.</p>

<p>After the match ended a reporter asked her if she 'felt unsettled' after the tragedy, where she replied while fighting her tears"Do we really have to talk about this so fast after a match?".&nbsp;</p>

<p>The reporter&nbsp;who asked her the question immediately apologized for the question.</p>

<p>Her mixed-double partner Nick Kyrgios blasted at the media after this incident. He called it 'cruel'.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This makes me so mad. Have a heart and please feel, it’s not fair. Keep your head up Amanda ❤️🙏🏽 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/alwayswatching?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#alwayswatching</a> <a href="https://t.co/gaoA8SlOFY">https://t.co/gaoA8SlOFY</a></p>
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickKyrgios/status/1219598571311259648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Nick Kyrgios has also proceeded to the next round. The young Australian has promised A$200 per ace this month.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 18-year-old displayed her skills when she beat World No 3 Simona Halep in the French Open quarterfinals. But she was beaten by the then French Champion Ashleigh Barty in semis.</p>

<p>Anisimova was seen as a prodigy after the match, Nike signed the teen for a long term deal for $102 million. The deal was compared to that of Maria Sharapova's.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Amanda Anisimova burst into tears in the post-match media conference after she was asked about her father, the American rising star bowed out of the first round of the Australian Open this year.

Amanda Anisimova burst into tears in the post-match media conference after she was asked about her father, the American rising star bowed out of the first round of the Australian Open this year. She was playing her first major Grand Slam post her father's untimed demise. Her father died due to a heart attack. The shocking tragedy took place just before the 2019 US Open. Missing you 🕊😞 — Amanda Anisimova (@AnisimovaAmanda) January 8, 2020 × World No 21 Amanda was beaten (6-3, 4-6, 6-3) by World No 73 Zarina Diyas in an upset. After the match ended a reporter asked her if she 'felt unsettled' after the tragedy, where she replied while fighting her tears"Do we really have to talk about this so fast after a match?". The reporter who asked her the question immediately apologized for the question. Her mixed-double partner Nick Kyrgios blasted at the media after this incident. He called it 'cruel'. This makes me so mad. Have a heart and please feel, it’s not fair. Keep your head up Amanda ❤️🙏🏽 #alwayswatching https://t.co/gaoA8SlOFY — Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 21, 2020 × Nick Kyrgios has also proceeded to the next round. The young Australian has promised A$200 per ace this month. The 18-year-old displayed her skills when she beat World No 3 Simona Halep in the French Open quarterfinals. But she was beaten by the then French Champion Ashleigh Barty in semis. Anisimova was seen as a prodigy after the match, Nike signed the teen for a long term deal for $102 million. The deal was compared to that of Maria Sharapova's.

Tennis: Amanda Anisimova bursts out in tears when asked about father, Kygrios calls it cruel

<p>Five-time Grand Slam champion <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/maria-sharapova-makes-winning-comeback-set-to-face-kerber-in-mallorca-open-228597">Maria Sharapova</a> admitted she does not know if she will be back at the Australian Open next year after suffering a first-round defeat in Melbourne on Tuesday.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">What a shot <a href="https://twitter.com/DonnaVekic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DonnaVekic</a>!<br />
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The 19th seed breaks Sharapova to take a 3-1 lead <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AO2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AO2020</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusOpen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AusOpen</a> <a href="https://t.co/Lzjny8SJfh">pic.twitter.com/Lzjny8SJfh</a></p>
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) <a href="https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen/status/1219443011190476807?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>The former <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/maria-sharapova-wins-her-1st-wta-match-in-russia-in-13-years-193677">world number one</a>, playing on a wildcard, is set to drop below 350 in the rankings following her 3-6, 4-6 defeat to Croatia's 19th-seeded Donna Vekic.&nbsp;It was the 32-year-old Sharapova's third first-round exit in a row at Grand Slam tournaments and will increase speculation over her future.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read</strong>:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sharapova-to-return-next-month-as-brisbane-wildcard-271149">Ahead of Australian Open, Sharapova to return as Brisbane wildcard</a></p>

<p>Sharapova,&nbsp;banned for 15 months for failing a drugs test at the 2016 Australian Open, was unable to say whether she would return next year. "I don't know, I don't know," said the Russian, already ranked a lowly 145th, when asked by AFP if she would be back at Melbourne Park in 2021.</p>

<p><img alt="Sharapova" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9d6c59f2-8833-4939-8050-4e6b928cfa9e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2818%29_3.jpg" /><br />
<em>[ Maria Sharapova (Courtesy: AFP) ]</em></p>

<p>"It's tough for me to tell what's going to happen in 12 months." Sharapova, who won the Australian Open in 2008, was similarly vague about the months or even weeks ahead. "Honestly, I'd give you the answer, I just don't know," she said about what tournaments she will play soon. "I haven't thought of my schedule moving forward from here yet."</p>

<p>After missing large chunks of last year with a shoulder injury, she needed a wildcard to compete in Melbourne. Playing on the centre court, Rod Laver Arena -- a sign of Sharapova's enduring pulling power -- she lost the first set in 36 minutes. She broke to go 4-1 up in the second set, but Vekic struck back and sealed victory on the second match point when Sharapova fired wildly wide.</p>

<p><img alt="Sharapova" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e15bad75-959b-47e7-80b1-de52c7dea023" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2819%29_2.jpg" /><br />
<em>[ Maria Sharapova (Courtesy: AFP) ]</em></p>

<p>Sharapova said she was not taking much notice of her plummeting ranking. "Last year I think I played seven or eight tournaments so I don't know if I can look at the ranking and really think about it in-depth," she said, cutting a forlorn figure. "Just because I really haven't played and I was injured most of the year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"You know, I certainly have to take that into account." Sharapova,&nbsp;who last lost in the Melbourne first round in 2010, has struggled for form and fitness since returning from the ban for taking meldonium. Sharapova, once a rival to Serena Williams at the top of women's tennis, refused to blame her right shoulder problem for her latest early exit.</p>

<p>"I can speak about my struggles and the things that I've gone through with my shoulder, but it's not really in my character too," she said. "I was there, I put myself out there (playing).&nbsp; As tough as it was, I finished the match -- it wasn't the way that I wanted."</p>


Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova admitted she does not know if she will be back at the Australian Open next year after suffering a first-round defeat in Melbourne on Tuesday.

Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova admitted she does not know if she will be back at the Australian Open next year after suffering a first-round defeat in Melbourne on Tuesday. What a shot @DonnaVekic! The 19th seed breaks Sharapova to take a 3-1 lead #AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Lzjny8SJfh — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2020 × The former world number one, playing on a wildcard, is set to drop below 350 in the rankings following her 3-6, 4-6 defeat to Croatia's 19th-seeded Donna Vekic. It was the 32-year-old Sharapova's third first-round exit in a row at Grand Slam tournaments and will increase speculation over her future. Also Read: Ahead of Australian Open, Sharapova to return as Brisbane wildcard Sharapova, banned for 15 months for failing a drugs test at the 2016 Australian Open, was unable to say whether she would return next year. "I don't know, I don't know," said the Russian, already ranked a lowly 145th, when asked by AFP if she would be back at Melbourne Park in 2021. [ Maria Sharapova (Courtesy: AFP) ] "It's tough for me to tell what's going to happen in 12 months." Sharapova, who won the Australian Open in 2008, was similarly vague about the months or even weeks ahead. "Honestly, I'd give you the answer, I just don't know," she said about what tournaments she will play soon. "I haven't thought of my schedule moving forward from here yet." After missing large chunks of last year with a shoulder injury, she needed a wildcard to compete in Melbourne. Playing on the centre court, Rod Laver Arena -- a sign of Sharapova's enduring pulling power -- she lost the first set in 36 minutes. She broke to go 4-1 up in the second set, but Vekic struck back and sealed victory on the second match point when Sharapova fired wildly wide. [ Maria Sharapova (Courtesy: AFP) ] Sharapova said she was not taking much notice of her plummeting ranking. "Last year I think I played seven or eight tournaments so I don't know if I can look at the ranking and really think about it in-depth," she said, cutting a forlorn figure. "Just because I really haven't played and I was injured most of the year. "You know, I certainly have to take that into account." Sharapova, who last lost in the Melbourne first round in 2010, has struggled for form and fitness since returning from the ban for taking meldonium. Sharapova, once a rival to Serena Williams at the top of women's tennis, refused to blame her right shoulder problem for her latest early exit. "I can speak about my struggles and the things that I've gone through with my shoulder, but it's not really in my character too," she said. "I was there, I put myself out there (playing). As tough as it was, I finished the match -- it wasn't the way that I wanted."

Sharapova uncertain over Australian Open return after first-round loss

<p>Australian Open was hit on Monday by morning showers which suspended the play just hours after they were started.&nbsp;</p>

<p>World No 3 Roger Federer was dominant in the first round as he beat World No 75 Steve Johnson. The play was interrupted by rain but the play resumed and Federer in a breathtaking display beat the American 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">ICYMI 6-time champ <a href="https://twitter.com/rogerfederer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rogerfederer</a> kicked off his 22nd consecutive <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusOpen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AusOpen</a> campaign with a speedy 6-3 6-2 6-2 victory<br />
<br />
Match report 👉<a href="https://t.co/CSdsXRRCCx">https://t.co/CSdsXRRCCx</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AO2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AO2020</a> <a href="https://t.co/b4xY8zjvFq">pic.twitter.com/b4xY8zjvFq</a></p>
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) <a href="https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen/status/1219277149938438144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Swiss continued his streak of being unbeaten in the first round in Melbourne (21-0).&nbsp;</p>

<p>World No 2 Novak Djokovic survived a minor scare against Jan-Lennard Struff on Monday night. He beat Struff 7-6 (5), 6-2, 2-6, 6-1 at Rod Laver Arena to begin his journey for eight Australian Open title. The defending champion has become the sixth man to win 900 tour-level matches.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Green means GO.<br />
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Bidding for a record-extending eighth <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusOpen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AusOpen</a> title, <a href="https://twitter.com/DjokerNole?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DjokerNole</a> recorded the 900th tour-level victory of his career with a 7-6(5) 6-2 2-6 6-1 win over Jan-Lennard Struff on Day 1 👏<br />
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Match report 👉 <a href="https://t.co/sLA4SG8gp8">https://t.co/sLA4SG8gp8</a> <a href="https://t.co/7MeHxqnwAS">pic.twitter.com/7MeHxqnwAS</a></p>
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) <a href="https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen/status/1219323992395407361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>On Tuesday, the weather is predicted to be clear and sunny. The matches are predicted to get through in the afternoon.</p>

<p>World No 1 Rafael Nadal started his campaign after displaying his dominance over Bolivia's Hugo Dellien. The Spaniard moved a step closer to his 20th Grand Slam after beating Hugo 6-2, 6-3, 6-0.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The mentality of a legend 💯<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AO2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AO2020</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusOpen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AusOpen</a> <a href="https://t.co/IeQxpbmXXk">pic.twitter.com/IeQxpbmXXk</a></p>
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) <a href="https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen/status/1219516577306927104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Nadal will face the winner of Argentine Federico Delbonis and Portuguese Joao Sousa in the next round.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rafa Rolls 🏃‍♂️<a href="https://twitter.com/RafaelNadal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RafaelNadal</a> fends off a valiant effort from Dellien and slams the door 6-2 6-3 6-0.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AO2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AO2020</a> |<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusOpen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AusOpen</a> <a href="https://t.co/s5svPwjzFE">pic.twitter.com/s5svPwjzFE</a></p>
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) <a href="https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen/status/1219496114275213312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>His fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta battled past Slovakian Jozef Kovalik 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(2), the match went on for two hours and 37 minutes. World No 27 smashed 41 winners to proceed to the next round.</p>

<p>Weather Forcast on Wednesday and Thursday is scaring as heavy showers are predicted in Melbourne. Play suspension could spoil the highly anticipated Grand Slam.&nbsp;</p>


Australian Open was hit on Monday by morning showers which suspended the play just hours after they were started. World No 3 Roger Federer was dominant in the first round as he beat World No 75 Steve Johnson.

Australian Open was hit on Monday by morning showers which suspended the play just hours after they were started. World No 3 Roger Federer was dominant in the first round as he beat World No 75 Steve Johnson. The play was interrupted by rain but the play resumed and Federer in a breathtaking display beat the American 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. ICYMI 6-time champ @rogerfederer kicked off his 22nd consecutive #AusOpen campaign with a speedy 6-3 6-2 6-2 victory Match report 👉https://t.co/CSdsXRRCCx#AO2020 pic.twitter.com/b4xY8zjvFq — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2020 × The Swiss continued his streak of being unbeaten in the first round in Melbourne (21-0). World No 2 Novak Djokovic survived a minor scare against Jan-Lennard Struff on Monday night. He beat Struff 7-6 (5), 6-2, 2-6, 6-1 at Rod Laver Arena to begin his journey for eight Australian Open title. The defending champion has become the sixth man to win 900 tour-level matches. Green means GO. Bidding for a record-extending eighth #AusOpen title, @DjokerNole recorded the 900th tour-level victory of his career with a 7-6(5) 6-2 2-6 6-1 win over Jan-Lennard Struff on Day 1 👏 Match report 👉 https://t.co/sLA4SG8gp8 pic.twitter.com/7MeHxqnwAS — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2020 × On Tuesday, the weather is predicted to be clear and sunny. The matches are predicted to get through in the afternoon. World No 1 Rafael Nadal started his campaign after displaying his dominance over Bolivia's Hugo Dellien. The Spaniard moved a step closer to his 20th Grand Slam after beating Hugo 6-2, 6-3, 6-0. The mentality of a legend 💯#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/IeQxpbmXXk — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2020 × Nadal will face the winner of Argentine Federico Delbonis and Portuguese Joao Sousa in the next round. Rafa Rolls 🏃‍♂️@RafaelNadal fends off a valiant effort from Dellien and slams the door 6-2 6-3 6-0.#AO2020 |#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/s5svPwjzFE — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2020 × His fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta battled past Slovakian Jozef Kovalik 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(2), the match went on for two hours and 37 minutes. World No 27 smashed 41 winners to proceed to the next round. Weather Forcast on Wednesday and Thursday is scaring as heavy showers are predicted in Melbourne. Play suspension could spoil the highly anticipated Grand Slam.

Australian Open: Nadal, Djokovic, and Federer go through first round, rain plays spoil spot

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<p>Fifteen-year-old American Coco Gauff beat Venus Williams at the Australian Open on Monday -- the second time the teenager has dumped the veteran out in a Grand Slam first round.</p>

<p>Gauff surged into the second round in Melbourne with a 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 victory over the 39-year-old and will play unseeded Romanian Sorana Cirstea next.</p>

<p>Gauff, ranked 67 in the world and a fast-rising star in tennis, similarly defeated the seven-time Grand Slam winner in the first round last year at Wimbledon.</p>

<p>"That was really difficult, she played really well," said the precocious teenager.</p>

<p>"I was really nervous for today's match.</p>

<p>"I was a bit shocked -- I'm sure everyone was shocked -- when they saw the draw come out but I'm glad I was able to get through it," Gauff added, referring to the repeat of their Wimbledon match.</p>

<p>Williams, formerly number one but now ranked 55th, conceded the first-set tie break when she hit a routine backhand overhead into the net.</p>

<p>Gauff, remarkably unfazed by playing someone more than twice her age, held her nerve in the second set to claim Williams' scalp once more.</p>

<p>Victory over Williams at Wimbledon, and her run to the fourth round there -- where she lost to eventual champion Simona Halep -- propelled Gauff into the sporting limelight.</p>

<p>She went on to win her first WTA title in October in Linz, Austria.&nbsp;</p>


Fifteen-year-old American Coco Gauff beat Venus Williams at the Australian Open on Monday -- the second time the teenager has dumped the veteran out in a Grand Slam first round.

Fifteen-year-old American Coco Gauff beat Venus Williams at the Australian Open on Monday -- the second time the teenager has dumped the veteran out in a Grand Slam first round. Gauff surged into the second round in Melbourne with a 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 victory over the 39-year-old and will play unseeded Romanian Sorana Cirstea next. Gauff, ranked 67 in the world and a fast-rising star in tennis, similarly defeated the seven-time Grand Slam winner in the first round last year at Wimbledon. "That was really difficult, she played really well," said the precocious teenager. "I was really nervous for today's match. "I was a bit shocked -- I'm sure everyone was shocked -- when they saw the draw come out but I'm glad I was able to get through it," Gauff added, referring to the repeat of their Wimbledon match. Williams, formerly number one but now ranked 55th, conceded the first-set tie break when she hit a routine backhand overhead into the net. Gauff, remarkably unfazed by playing someone more than twice her age, held her nerve in the second set to claim Williams' scalp once more. Victory over Williams at Wimbledon, and her run to the fourth round there -- where she lost to eventual champion Simona Halep -- propelled Gauff into the sporting limelight. She went on to win her first WTA title in October in Linz, Austria.

Gauff, 15, stuns Venus Williams in Australian Open first round

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<p>Serena Williams put aside her concerns about the air quality at Melbourne Park as she breezed into the second round of the Australian Open on Monday to remain on course for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title.</p>

<p>Buoyed by securing her first WTA title as a mother in Auckland two weeks ago, the 38-year-old American great kept her stay out on Rod Laver Arena to a minimum with a 6-0 6-3 trouncing of Anastasia Potapova in under an hour.</p>

<p>The air quality was officially rated good on Monday but Williams had not forgotten the choking smoke from Australia's bushfires that greeted her when she arrived in Melbourne earlier this week.</p>

<p>"I definitely was concerned, and am. I think it changes every day," the eighth seed told reporters.</p>

<p>"There is a lot of factors on how it can change. That is still a concern for pretty much everyone. Every day all the players and the tournament make sure that all the players are updated on what the play conditions would be like.</p>

<p>"It's literally every day, we are just waiting every day to see how the air quality would be ... Today, it seemed normal. Yeah, it seemed pretty good... It definitely felt like that.</p>

<p>Williams said she was particularly concerned because of the pulmonary embolism she suffered after giving birth to her daughter Olympia in 2017.</p>

<p>"I'm, like, 'oh no, I'm already playing a little down than most people'," she added.</p>

<p>"But we'll see. Just have to focus on what happens and we'll see what happens."</p>

<p>The good news for Williams is that the outlook for the rest of tournament is promising, with the rain that has lashed Australia over the last few days helping contain the fires that have killed 29 people and millions of animals.</p>

<p>The rain also stopped play on the outside courts on Monday which means that Williams might have to wait another day to find out whether she plays Slovenia's Tamara Zidansek or South Korean wildcard Han Na-lae in the second round.</p>

<p>Her victory over Russian teenager Potapova to kickstart her 19th campaign at Melbourne Park was no great surprise given she has now lost only once in 74 first-round matches at Grand Slams.</p>

<p>"I felt like I started out really well, played really strong in the first set and just building on that," she said.</p>

<p>"So, I feel like I can still improve and get better throughout this tournament, for sure. This is a good stepping stone for right now."</p>

<p>An eighth title at Melbourne Park would bring Williams level with Australian Margaret Court as the most prolific Grand Slam singles winner in the history of the game -- a feat she said had been on her mind.</p>

<p>"I think it's factored a lot into my game, and now it's just more or less about doing the best that Serena Williams can do," she said.</p>

<p>"Margaret Court was a wonderful, great champion. And now how great is Serena Williams?</p>

<p>"That's it. That's kind of what I have been thinking about the last couple of weeks and months. It definitely helps me relax a lot."</p>


Serena Williams put aside her concerns about the air quality at Melbourne Park as she breezed into the second round of the Australian Open on Monday to remain on course for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title.

Serena Williams put aside her concerns about the air quality at Melbourne Park as she breezed into the second round of the Australian Open on Monday to remain on course for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title. Buoyed by securing her first WTA title as a mother in Auckland two weeks ago, the 38-year-old American great kept her stay out on Rod Laver Arena to a minimum with a 6-0 6-3 trouncing of Anastasia Potapova in under an hour. The air quality was officially rated good on Monday but Williams had not forgotten the choking smoke from Australia's bushfires that greeted her when she arrived in Melbourne earlier this week. "I definitely was concerned, and am. I think it changes every day," the eighth seed told reporters. "There is a lot of factors on how it can change. That is still a concern for pretty much everyone. Every day all the players and the tournament make sure that all the players are updated on what the play conditions would be like. "It's literally every day, we are just waiting every day to see how the air quality would be ... Today, it seemed normal. Yeah, it seemed pretty good... It definitely felt like that. Williams said she was particularly concerned because of the pulmonary embolism she suffered after giving birth to her daughter Olympia in 2017. "I'm, like, 'oh no, I'm already playing a little down than most people'," she added. "But we'll see. Just have to focus on what happens and we'll see what happens." The good news for Williams is that the outlook for the rest of tournament is promising, with the rain that has lashed Australia over the last few days helping contain the fires that have killed 29 people and millions of animals. The rain also stopped play on the outside courts on Monday which means that Williams might have to wait another day to find out whether she plays Slovenia's Tamara Zidansek or South Korean wildcard Han Na-lae in the second round. Her victory over Russian teenager Potapova to kickstart her 19th campaign at Melbourne Park was no great surprise given she has now lost only once in 74 first-round matches at Grand Slams. "I felt like I started out really well, played really strong in the first set and just building on that," she said. "So, I feel like I can still improve and get better throughout this tournament, for sure. This is a good stepping stone for right now." An eighth title at Melbourne Park would bring Williams level with Australian Margaret Court as the most prolific Grand Slam singles winner in the history of the game -- a feat she said had been on her mind. "I think it's factored a lot into my game, and now it's just more or less about doing the best that Serena Williams can do," she said. "Margaret Court was a wonderful, great champion. And now how great is Serena Williams? "That's it. That's kind of what I have been thinking about the last couple of weeks and months. It definitely helps me relax a lot."

Australian Open: Serena puts aside air quality concerns to clear first hurdle

<p>&nbsp;An unlikely hero of his country's bushfire relief efforts, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../australia-oust-britain-in-knife-edge-atp-cup- quarter-final-273204">Nick Kyrgios</a> enters the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-open-first-grand-slam-of-2020-kicks-off-tomorrow-275222">Australian Open</a> on a rare surge of goodwill from a&nbsp;sports-loving public long infuriated by his failure to convert talent into trophies.</p>

<p><strong>Also read-&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-government-pledges-52-million-to-revive-tourism-in-bushfire-ravaged-states-275169">Australian government pledges $52 million to revive tourism in bushfire-ravaged states</a></p>

<p>For a player branded "polarising" for his long rap sheet of indiscretions, Kyrgios has been a galvanising force in raising funds and awareness as Australia comes to terms with the unprecedented devastation left by the fires.</p>

<p><strong>Also read-&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-open-nadal-and-federer-pledge-a250000-towards-relief-workers-in-charity-event-274432">Australian Open: Nadal, Federer pledge A$250,000 towards bushfire relief</a></p>

<p>The 24-year-old has raised thousands off his own racquet after pledging A$200 ($137) for every ace he bashes down in the home summer but it his efforts away from the court that has caught the eye.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I’m kicking off the support for those affected by the fires. I’ll be donating $200 per ace that I hit across all the events I play this summer. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MoreToCome?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MoreToCome</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StayTuned?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StayTuned</a></p>
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickKyrgios/status/1212677231270645762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>His appeals on a social media platform boasting over 1.6 million followers have inspired a bigger wave of generosity, nudging celebrities and top athletes from other&nbsp;sports&nbsp;to open their wallets.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Come out in your green and gold in Sydney this Thursday and support <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamAustralia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamAustralia</a> in the <a href="https://twitter.com/ATPCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ATPCup</a> quarter finals at 10am. 🇦🇺 🟢🟡🎾<a href="https://t.co/g27WPldXK1">https://t.co/g27WPldXK1</a></p>
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickKyrgios/status/1214400291220553728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Hearts have also been opened toward Kyrgios, who drew warm applause from the terraces last Wednesday during the "Rally4Relief" charity event at Rod Laver Arena where he broke down in tears when speaking of the toll of the bushfires.</p>

<p>Kyrgios has long had an army of social media detractors poised to take issue with every misstep but he has never had trouble attracting a crowd at Melbourne Park or indeed any tennis event he cares to sign up for.</p>

<p>"Every time I play here, I'm well-supported," Kyrgios told reporters on Saturday.</p>

<p>"All my practices are pretty full. I think people are excited to see me."</p>

<p>"I guess with everything going on, the other stuff outside tennis, maybe that's more what they support rather than my tennis itself," he added of his fundraising efforts.</p>

<p>"Everything I'm doing is just because I care."</p>

<p>Public support for Kyrgios is arguably at its strongest since 2014 when as a 19-year-old he beat Rafa Nadal at Wimbledon during an exhilarating run to the quarter-finals.</p>

<p>He reached the Australian Open quarters the following year but has not been seen in the last eight at a Grand Slam since.</p>

<p>The ensuing five years have had their moments, with six titles and some brilliant wins over the 'Big Three' of Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.</p>

<p>Beating the elite in the best-of-five sets remains a final frontier which many suspect Kyrgios will never achieve due to his aversion to hard training and the constraints that would be placed on him by a full-time coach.</p>

<p>"I think there's a lot of young guys that are right now, no offence, just better than him," world number seven Alex Zverev said of Kyrgios recently.</p>

<p>"It is not a three-set match where you can win in an hour-and-20 and get off the court. To beat the best, you have to play at your best for a longer period of time."</p>

<p>Kyrgios seeded 23rd, will open his campaign against Italy's Lorenzo Sonego on Tuesday, a player he beat in their one previous clash on the Cincinnati hardcourt last year.</p>

<p>The A$200 pledged for every ace he strikes in Melbourne will be deservedly cheered but respect in the locker room may prove harder to come by if he makes another early exit from his home Grand Slam.</p>


An unlikely hero of his country's bushfire relief efforts, Nick Kyrgios enters the Australian Open on a rare surge of goodwill from a sports-loving public long infuriated by his failure to convert talent into trophies.

An unlikely hero of his country's bushfire relief efforts, Nick Kyrgios enters the Australian Open on a rare surge of goodwill from a sports-loving public long infuriated by his failure to convert talent into trophies. Also read- Australian government pledges $52 million to revive tourism in bushfire-ravaged states For a player branded "polarising" for his long rap sheet of indiscretions, Kyrgios has been a galvanising force in raising funds and awareness as Australia comes to terms with the unprecedented devastation left by the fires. Also read- Australian Open: Nadal, Federer pledge A$250,000 towards bushfire relief The 24-year-old has raised thousands off his own racquet after pledging A$200 ($137) for every ace he bashes down in the home summer but it his efforts away from the court that has caught the eye. I’m kicking off the support for those affected by the fires. I’ll be donating $200 per ace that I hit across all the events I play this summer. #MoreToCome #StayTuned — Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 2, 2020 × His appeals on a social media platform boasting over 1.6 million followers have inspired a bigger wave of generosity, nudging celebrities and top athletes from other sports to open their wallets. Come out in your green and gold in Sydney this Thursday and support #TeamAustralia in the @ATPCup quarter finals at 10am. 🇦🇺 🟢🟡🎾https://t.co/g27WPldXK1 — Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 7, 2020 × Hearts have also been opened toward Kyrgios, who drew warm applause from the terraces last Wednesday during the "Rally4Relief" charity event at Rod Laver Arena where he broke down in tears when speaking of the toll of the bushfires. Kyrgios has long had an army of social media detractors poised to take issue with every misstep but he has never had trouble attracting a crowd at Melbourne Park or indeed any tennis event he cares to sign up for. "Every time I play here, I'm well-supported," Kyrgios told reporters on Saturday. "All my practices are pretty full. I think people are excited to see me." "I guess with everything going on, the other stuff outside tennis, maybe that's more what they support rather than my tennis itself," he added of his fundraising efforts. "Everything I'm doing is just because I care." Public support for Kyrgios is arguably at its strongest since 2014 when as a 19-year-old he beat Rafa Nadal at Wimbledon during an exhilarating run to the quarter-finals. He reached the Australian Open quarters the following year but has not been seen in the last eight at a Grand Slam since. The ensuing five years have had their moments, with six titles and some brilliant wins over the 'Big Three' of Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. Beating the elite in the best-of-five sets remains a final frontier which many suspect Kyrgios will never achieve due to his aversion to hard training and the constraints that would be placed on him by a full-time coach. "I think there's a lot of young guys that are right now, no offence, just better than him," world number seven Alex Zverev said of Kyrgios recently. "It is not a three-set match where you can win in an hour-and-20 and get off the court. To beat the best, you have to play at your best for a longer period of time." Kyrgios seeded 23rd, will open his campaign against Italy's Lorenzo Sonego on Tuesday, a player he beat in their one previous clash on the Cincinnati hardcourt last year. The A$200 pledged for every ace he strikes in Melbourne will be deservedly cheered but respect in the locker room may prove harder to come by if he makes another early exit from his home Grand Slam.

Melbourne Park ready to embrace the Kyrgios that cares

<p>The 2020 Australian Open action will commence with World No 3 and defending champion <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../tennis-naomi-osaka-trolls-serena-williams-calls- her-mom-274595">Naomi Osaka</a> facing Czech Republic's Marie Bouzkova.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Reunited and it feels so good 💕 <a href="https://t.co/CDWrz0pL4m">pic.twitter.com/CDWrz0pL4m</a></p>
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) <a href="https://twitter.com/naomiosaka/status/1217767637339402240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Bouzkova crashed out of Hobart Internationals in Women's doubles when <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../what-a-journey-its-been-sania-mirza-after- winning-hobart-international-tournament-275116">Sania Mirza</a> and Nadiia Kichenok beat Bouzkova and her partner Tamara Zidanšek.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"I'm just really happy to be back playing tennis. It's been a long time... I think I speak for all the players, this is probably the best slam there is. I'm really excited to be back."<br />
<br />
We're so happy to have you back, <a href="https://twitter.com/MirzaSania?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MirzaSania</a> 🙌<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusOpen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AusOpen</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AO2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AO2020</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DoublesDownunder?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DoublesDownunder</a> <a href="https://t.co/LZBPUtGQbV">pic.twitter.com/LZBPUtGQbV</a></p>
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) <a href="https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen/status/1218761450144944128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>World No 1 Ashleigh Barty will go head-on against Lesia Tsurenko, homegirl Barty will be looking forward to lifting the cup as she will be the first Australian woman to win the Grand Slam in her home country since Chris O'Neil in 1978.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Home is where the heart is 💛💚 Thank you Adelaide! <a href="https://t.co/KY5TeVsn1E">pic.twitter.com/KY5TeVsn1E</a></p>
— Ash Barty (@ashbarty) <a href="https://twitter.com/ashbarty/status/1218469147438280705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>The 23-times Grand Slam winner <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../wta-auckland-open-williams-breaks-three-year- title-drought-to-win-273787">Serena Williams</a> looks confident equalling Margaret Court's most Grand slam record (24). World No 8 had a great start to the year after winning the Auckland Open. She will be facing Russia's Anastasia Potapova in the first round.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In one of the most highly anticipated fixtures 15-year-old Coco Gauff will go toe-to-toe with tennis veteran Venus Williams in the first round.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ciao Melbourne 🍝🍝🍝 <a href="https://twitter.com/Barilla?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Barilla</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusOpen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AusOpen</a> <a href="https://t.co/TYYPlrgjOK">pic.twitter.com/TYYPlrgjOK</a></p>
— Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) <a href="https://twitter.com/CocoGauff/status/1218754378430943232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Former Australian Open champion (2018) Caroline Wozniacki will begin her last tournament of her career against Kristie Ahn. She is one of the three players who have won the Australian Open. Along with her, Serena Williams (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017) and Osaka (2019) will be a part of this competition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Seven players are making their Grand Slam debut. Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Leylah Fernandez, Han Na-Lae, Ann Li, Greet Minnen, Nina Stojanovic, and Martina Trevisan are the debutants. Out of these, &nbsp;four (Han Na-Lee, Ann Li, Greet Minnen and Martina Trevisan) will be playing on day 1.</p>

<p>The first day is likely to face a thunderstorm as forecasted. 90 per cent chances of showers are predicted.</p>


The 2020 Australian Open action will commence with World No 3 and defending champion Naomi Osaka facing Czech Republic's Marie Bouzkova. Reunited and it feels so good 💕 pic.

The 2020 Australian Open action will commence with World No 3 and defending champion Naomi Osaka facing Czech Republic's Marie Bouzkova. Reunited and it feels so good 💕 pic.twitter.com/CDWrz0pL4m — NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) January 16, 2020 × Bouzkova crashed out of Hobart Internationals in Women's doubles when Sania Mirza and Nadiia Kichenok beat Bouzkova and her partner Tamara Zidanšek. "I'm just really happy to be back playing tennis. It's been a long time... I think I speak for all the players, this is probably the best slam there is. I'm really excited to be back." We're so happy to have you back, @MirzaSania 🙌#AusOpen | #AO2020 | #DoublesDownunder pic.twitter.com/LZBPUtGQbV — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2020 × World No 1 Ashleigh Barty will go head-on against Lesia Tsurenko, homegirl Barty will be looking forward to lifting the cup as she will be the first Australian woman to win the Grand Slam in her home country since Chris O'Neil in 1978. Home is where the heart is 💛💚 Thank you Adelaide! pic.twitter.com/KY5TeVsn1E — Ash Barty (@ashbarty) January 18, 2020 × The 23-times Grand Slam winner Serena Williams looks confident equalling Margaret Court's most Grand slam record (24). World No 8 had a great start to the year after winning the Auckland Open. She will be facing Russia's Anastasia Potapova in the first round. In one of the most highly anticipated fixtures 15-year-old Coco Gauff will go toe-to-toe with tennis veteran Venus Williams in the first round. Ciao Melbourne 🍝🍝🍝 @Barilla #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/TYYPlrgjOK — Coco Gauff (@CocoGauff) January 19, 2020 × Former Australian Open champion (2018) Caroline Wozniacki will begin her last tournament of her career against Kristie Ahn. She is one of the three players who have won the Australian Open. Along with her, Serena Williams (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017) and Osaka (2019) will be a part of this competition. Seven players are making their Grand Slam debut. Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Leylah Fernandez, Han Na-Lae, Ann Li, Greet Minnen, Nina Stojanovic, and Martina Trevisan are the debutants. Out of these, four (Han Na-Lee, Ann Li, Greet Minnen and Martina Trevisan) will be playing on day 1. The first day is likely to face a thunderstorm as forecasted. 90 per cent chances of showers are predicted.

Australian Open: First Grand Slam of 2020 kicks off tomorrow

<p>Barty, who swept aside Yastremska in one hour and 25 minutes, is bidding to end Australia's long wait for a homegrown champion at the year's first Grand Slam. The last was Chris O'Neil, who claimed the women's title at the 1978 tournament.</p>

<p><b>Also Read</b>:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-ashleigh-barty-embraces-number-one-tag-cruises-into-second-round-232654">Wimbledon: Ashleigh Barty embraces number one tag, cruises into second round</a></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Home is where the heart is 💛💚 Thank you Adelaide! <a href="https://t.co/KY5TeVsn1E">pic.twitter.com/KY5TeVsn1E</a></p>
— Ash Barty (@ashbarty) <a href="https://twitter.com/ashbarty/status/1218469147438280705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>A tweet from Ashleigh Barty's official twitter account was sent on the day she won expressing&nbsp;her gratitude and joy to the world.</p>

<p>Barty&nbsp;broke the Ukrainian twice to win the first set but Yastremska put up stiffer resistance in the second to level it at 4-4. The Australian broke to go 6-5 up on four straight errors from the Ukrainian and served out to seal the title.</p>

<p>She fired 15 winners against the wayward Yastremska, who committed 31 unforced errors.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-ashleigh-barty-guarantees-rise-to-world-number-one-229775">Barty&nbsp;won</a> her only previous meeting with Yastremska in Miami last year.</p>

<p>Top seed&nbsp;Barty&nbsp;begins her Australian Open campaign against Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko on Monday.</p>


Barty, who swept aside Yastremska in one hour and 25 minutes, is bidding to end Australia's long wait for a homegrown champion at the year's first Grand Slam. The last was Chris O'Neil, who claimed the women's title at the 1978 tournament.

Barty, who swept aside Yastremska in one hour and 25 minutes, is bidding to end Australia's long wait for a homegrown champion at the year's first Grand Slam. The last was Chris O'Neil, who claimed the women's title at the 1978 tournament. Also Read: Wimbledon: Ashleigh Barty embraces number one tag, cruises into second round Home is where the heart is 💛💚 Thank you Adelaide! pic.twitter.com/KY5TeVsn1E — Ash Barty (@ashbarty) January 18, 2020 × A tweet from Ashleigh Barty's official twitter account was sent on the day she won expressing her gratitude and joy to the world. Barty broke the Ukrainian twice to win the first set but Yastremska put up stiffer resistance in the second to level it at 4-4. The Australian broke to go 6-5 up on four straight errors from the Ukrainian and served out to seal the title. She fired 15 winners against the wayward Yastremska, who committed 31 unforced errors. Barty won her only previous meeting with Yastremska in Miami last year. Top seed Barty begins her Australian Open campaign against Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko on Monday.

Ashleigh Barty wins Adelaide title in Australian Open boost

<p>33-year-old Rafael Nadal says he is surprised to be at the summit of the men's game given his long and varied history of injuries.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read</strong>:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-open-nadal-and-federer-pledge-a250000-towards-relief-workers-in-charity-event-274432">Australian Open: Nadal, Federer pledge A$250,000 towards bushfire relief</a></p>

<p>Enjoying a rare period of full fitness,&nbsp;Nadal&nbsp;is bidding for his second title in his 15th appearance at Melbourne Park, as well as the added carrot of matching Roger Federer's all-time record of 20 Grand Slam titles.</p>

<p>In the 11 years since his 2009 triumph in Melbourne,&nbsp;Nadal&nbsp;has battled back from a litany of serious injuries, defying predictions that his taxing, all-action game might cut his career short.</p>

<p>He now has a chance to hold three out of the four Grand Slam titles after winning the French and U.S. Opens last year.</p>

<p>"Well, I can't say I have been <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/rafael-nadal-pulls-out-of-laver-cup-with-hand-injury-251206">lucky with injuries</a>, because I have not," he told reporters at Melbourne Park on Saturday.</p>

<p>"But there is no secret. There is only passion, about love for the game, and about being able to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tennis-federer-and-williams-lead-way-to-raise-funds-for-relief-workers-in-australia-273899">stay positive</a> in the tough moments.</p>

<p>"It's true that I went through some tough situations during all my career. But I was able to always, with probably the positive attitude and with the right people around, to find a way to keep going.</p>

<p>"(It's) something that is difficult to imagine for me because of my style of game, as a lot of people said, my career should be little bit shorter.</p>

<p>"But here we are. (I'm) happy for that. Even for me is a big surprise to be where I am at my age."</p>

<p><img alt="Rafael Nadal surprised at maintaining his winning streak despite severe injuries" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="249022e6-7241-4cad-82ef-c34348f55e70" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-01-18T162327.509.jpg" /><br />
<em>[ Nadal attends a news conference ( Courtesy: Reuters) ]</em></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/alexander-zverev-diego-schwartzman-dominate-day-eight-at-us-open-2019-247354">Nadal, the only player</a> to claim the world number one spot in three decades, plays unseeded Bolivian Hugo Dellien in the first round on Tuesday and has a reasonably kind draw.</p>

<p>There is a potential fourth round match-up against 16th seed Karen Khachanov or local firebrand Nick Kyrgios, who has won three of his seven Tour matches against the Spaniard.</p>

<p>The pair have never been friends, with&nbsp;Nadal&nbsp;accusing him of "lacking respect for the public, the opponent and himself" after being beaten by the Australian at the Mexican Open last year.</p>

<p>Kyrgios in turn labelled&nbsp;Nadal&nbsp;"super salty" and a bad loser. Nadal&nbsp;shrugged when asked about Kyrgios's chances at his home Grand Slam.</p>

<p>"Everybody knows who is Kyrgios. Everybody knows how big is his talent, how good he is when he wants to play at his best, when he's able to play at his best.</p>

<p>"His chances are always there."</p>


33-year-old Rafael Nadal says he is surprised to be at the summit of the men's game given his long and varied history of injuries. Also Read: Australian Open: Nadal, Federer pledge A$250,000 towards bushfire relief Enjoying a rare period of full fitness, Nadal is bidding for his second title in his 15th appearance at Melbourne Park, as well as the added carrot of matching Roger Federer's all-time record of 20 Grand Slam titles.

33-year-old Rafael Nadal says he is surprised to be at the summit of the men's game given his long and varied history of injuries. Also Read: Australian Open: Nadal, Federer pledge A$250,000 towards bushfire relief Enjoying a rare period of full fitness, Nadal is bidding for his second title in his 15th appearance at Melbourne Park, as well as the added carrot of matching Roger Federer's all-time record of 20 Grand Slam titles. In the 11 years since his 2009 triumph in Melbourne, Nadal has battled back from a litany of serious injuries, defying predictions that his taxing, all-action game might cut his career short. He now has a chance to hold three out of the four Grand Slam titles after winning the French and U.S. Opens last year. "Well, I can't say I have been lucky with injuries, because I have not," he told reporters at Melbourne Park on Saturday. "But there is no secret. There is only passion, about love for the game, and about being able to stay positive in the tough moments. "It's true that I went through some tough situations during all my career. But I was able to always, with probably the positive attitude and with the right people around, to find a way to keep going. "(It's) something that is difficult to imagine for me because of my style of game, as a lot of people said, my career should be little bit shorter. "But here we are. (I'm) happy for that. Even for me is a big surprise to be where I am at my age." [ Nadal attends a news conference ( Courtesy: Reuters) ] Nadal, the only player to claim the world number one spot in three decades, plays unseeded Bolivian Hugo Dellien in the first round on Tuesday and has a reasonably kind draw. There is a potential fourth round match-up against 16th seed Karen Khachanov or local firebrand Nick Kyrgios, who has won three of his seven Tour matches against the Spaniard. The pair have never been friends, with Nadal accusing him of "lacking respect for the public, the opponent and himself" after being beaten by the Australian at the Mexican Open last year. Kyrgios in turn labelled Nadal "super salty" and a bad loser. Nadal shrugged when asked about Kyrgios's chances at his home Grand Slam. "Everybody knows who is Kyrgios. Everybody knows how big is his talent, how good he is when he wants to play at his best, when he's able to play at his best. "His chances are always there."

Rafael Nadal surprised to still be on top of the game

<p>Japan's Naomi Osaka trolled 23-times grand slam winner Serena Williams.</p>

<p><strong>Also read-&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-open-nadal-and-federer-pledge-a250000-towards-relief-workers-in-charity-event-274432">Australian Open: Nadal, Federer pledge A$250,000 towards bushfire relief&nbsp;</a></p>

<p>World number 3 was alongside Williams for the fund-raiser match ahead of Australian Open, where she tweeted a photo of her and Williams captioning it "me and my mom lol."- @naomiosaka.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">me and my mom lol. <a href="https://t.co/HvCoPpgShm">pic.twitter.com/HvCoPpgShm</a></p>
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) <a href="https://twitter.com/naomiosaka/status/1217404376223928321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Also read-&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australia-open-hazardous-air-condition-causes-troubles-to-players-in-the-qualifiers-274250">Australian Open: Hazardous air condition delays matches, restarts amid haze</a></p>

<p>Both Naomi and Serena were among the tennis stars to take part in the exhibition match which was meant to be a part of 'Rally for Relief', an initiative to raise funds for the relief workers involved in curbing the Australian Bushfire.</p>

<p>The Australian star tennis player Nick Kyrgios had proposed the idea for the fundraiser by a tweet where he said: "C'mon @TennisAustralia surely we can do a pre @AustralianOpen exho to raise funds for those affected by the fires?".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Come out in your green and gold in Sydney this Thursday and support <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamAustralia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamAustralia</a> in the <a href="https://twitter.com/ATPCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ATPCup</a> quarter finals at 10am. 🇦🇺 🟢🟡🎾<a href="https://t.co/g27WPldXK1">https://t.co/g27WPldXK1</a></p>
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickKyrgios/status/1214400291220553728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>World men's number 1 Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and defending champions were present in the match. They raised $5 million after&nbsp;the match.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thank you so much to everyone who supported Rally for Relief last night! We've raised almost $5,000,000 and counting 🙌<br />
<br />
Get involved | <a href="https://t.co/9RPgZ7ucg9">https://t.co/9RPgZ7ucg9</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rally4Relief?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rally4Relief</a> <a href="https://t.co/U8Eeu1UefU">pic.twitter.com/U8Eeu1UefU</a></p>
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) <a href="https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen/status/1217589621984350209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Australian Open was off to a poor start when the qualifiers were delayed and stopped due to hazy smoke that covered Melbourne due to the Bushfires.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With the news of Maria Sharapova calling of the match due to smog raised concerns over the tournament.</p>

<p>Year's first Grand Slam is set to commence on January 20 and conclude on February 2.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Defending Champion Osaka will look forward to a second successive title reign whereas Serena Williams will look forward to winning the Grand Slam to equal Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slams.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Japan's Naomi Osaka trolled 23-times grand slam winner Serena Williams. Also read- Australian Open: Nadal, Federer pledge A$250,000 towards bushfire relief World number 3 was alongside Williams for the fund-raiser match ahead of Australian Open, where she tweeted a photo of her and Williams captioning it "me and my mom lol.

Japan's Naomi Osaka trolled 23-times grand slam winner Serena Williams. Also read- Australian Open: Nadal, Federer pledge A$250,000 towards bushfire relief World number 3 was alongside Williams for the fund-raiser match ahead of Australian Open, where she tweeted a photo of her and Williams captioning it "me and my mom lol."- @naomiosaka. me and my mom lol. pic.twitter.com/HvCoPpgShm — NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) January 15, 2020 × Also read- Australian Open: Hazardous air condition delays matches, restarts amid haze Both Naomi and Serena were among the tennis stars to take part in the exhibition match which was meant to be a part of 'Rally for Relief', an initiative to raise funds for the relief workers involved in curbing the Australian Bushfire. The Australian star tennis player Nick Kyrgios had proposed the idea for the fundraiser by a tweet where he said: "C'mon @TennisAustralia surely we can do a pre @AustralianOpen exho to raise funds for those affected by the fires?". Come out in your green and gold in Sydney this Thursday and support #TeamAustralia in the @ATPCup quarter finals at 10am. 🇦🇺 🟢🟡🎾https://t.co/g27WPldXK1 — Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 7, 2020 × World men's number 1 Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and defending champions were present in the match. They raised $5 million after the match. Thank you so much to everyone who supported Rally for Relief last night! We've raised almost $5,000,000 and counting 🙌 Get involved | https://t.co/9RPgZ7ucg9#Rally4Relief pic.twitter.com/U8Eeu1UefU — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 15, 2020 × Australian Open was off to a poor start when the qualifiers were delayed and stopped due to hazy smoke that covered Melbourne due to the Bushfires. With the news of Maria Sharapova calling of the match due to smog raised concerns over the tournament. Year's first Grand Slam is set to commence on January 20 and conclude on February 2. Defending Champion Osaka will look forward to a second successive title reign whereas Serena Williams will look forward to winning the Grand Slam to equal Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slams.

Tennis: Naomi Osaka tweets picture of Serena Williams, calls her 'mom'

<p>Ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne, world no-1 Rafael Nadal and world no-3 Roger Federer pledged A$250,000 towards the Australian bushfire relief efforts. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also see-&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tennis-federer-and-williams-lead-way-to-raise-funds-for-relief-workers-in-australia-273899">Tennis: Federer, Williams lead way to raise funds for workers in Australia bushfires</a></p>

<p>Nadal announced about the donations in&nbsp;the "Rally for Relief" event in Melbourne Park's Rod Laver Arena.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also see-&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australia-open-hazardous-air-condition-causes-troubles-to-players-in-the-qualifiers-274250">Australian Open: Hazardous air condition delays matches, restarts amid haze</a></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"Talking with Roger, we decided to give $250,000 together." 👏 👏 👏 👏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rally4Relief?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Rally4Relief</a><br />
<br />
To contribute: <a href="https://t.co/9RPgZ7cBoB">https://t.co/9RPgZ7cBoB</a> <a href="https://t.co/ocdiw8D0if">pic.twitter.com/ocdiw8D0if</a></p>
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) <a href="https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen/status/1217378578188447745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Twenty-three times Serena Williams and Australian Open&nbsp;defending champion Novak Djokovic also took part in the event.</p>

<p><strong>Also read-&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-bushfire-shane-warnes-baggy-green-cap-sold-for-over-a1-million-273347">Australian bushfire: Shane Warne's baggy green cap sold for over A$1 million; beats Dhoni, Bradman</a></p>

<p>Rafa Nadal, after the exhibition match, said: "Hopefully that will keep inspiring the people to support this terrible disaster that we’re going through and helps to recover all the things that we need,”.</p>

<p>Australia is experiencing one of its worst bushfire seasons in decades, with fires killing more than 28 people and destroying at least 2000 homes. Wildlife in&nbsp;Australia in the worst hit, nearly half a billion animals have perished in the bushfires.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Australian Open's qualifiers were disrupted for the second successive day because of the thick grey hazy in the morning due to the smoke of the bushfire. This was followed by smog-clearing rain.</p>

<p>The ATP &nbsp;pledged A$750,000 to the WWF Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund as part of the bushfire relief efforts the as announced by Novak Djokovic and Nadal.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/atptour?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@atptour</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/DjokerNole?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DjokerNole</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/RafaelNadal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RafaelNadal</a> for your generous donation of $750,000 to World Wildlife Fund 🙏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ATPCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ATPCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/roB1yMZy94">pic.twitter.com/roB1yMZy94</a></p>
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/TennisTV/status/1216367121443311617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Serena Williams had pledged to donate all of her winning amounts after she won the Auckland Open. She won $43,000</p>

<p>The 24-year-old Australian Nick Kyrgios has pledged A$200 for every ace he hits this month. Nick Kyrgios hit the most aces (69) in the ATP cup.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Australian Open is the first Grand Slam of the year. The tournament will be played between January 20 to February 2.</p>


Ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne, world no-1 Rafael Nadal and world no-3 Roger Federer pledged A$250,000 towards the Australian bushfire relief efforts.

Ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne, world no-1 Rafael Nadal and world no-3 Roger Federer pledged A$250,000 towards the Australian bushfire relief efforts. Also see- Tennis: Federer, Williams lead way to raise funds for workers in Australia bushfires Nadal announced about the donations in the "Rally for Relief" event in Melbourne Park's Rod Laver Arena. Also see- Australian Open: Hazardous air condition delays matches, restarts amid haze "Talking with Roger, we decided to give $250,000 together." 👏 👏 👏 👏#Rally4Relief To contribute: https://t.co/9RPgZ7cBoB pic.twitter.com/ocdiw8D0if — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 15, 2020 × Twenty-three times Serena Williams and Australian Open defending champion Novak Djokovic also took part in the event. Also read- Australian bushfire: Shane Warne's baggy green cap sold for over A$1 million; beats Dhoni, Bradman Rafa Nadal, after the exhibition match, said: "Hopefully that will keep inspiring the people to support this terrible disaster that we’re going through and helps to recover all the things that we need,”. Australia is experiencing one of its worst bushfire seasons in decades, with fires killing more than 28 people and destroying at least 2000 homes. Wildlife in Australia in the worst hit, nearly half a billion animals have perished in the bushfires. × Australian Open's qualifiers were disrupted for the second successive day because of the thick grey hazy in the morning due to the smoke of the bushfire. This was followed by smog-clearing rain. The ATP pledged A$750,000 to the WWF Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund as part of the bushfire relief efforts the as announced by Novak Djokovic and Nadal. Thank you @atptour, @DjokerNole and @RafaelNadal for your generous donation of $750,000 to World Wildlife Fund 🙏#ATPCup pic.twitter.com/roB1yMZy94 — Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 12, 2020 × Serena Williams had pledged to donate all of her winning amounts after she won the Auckland Open. She won $43,000 The 24-year-old Australian Nick Kyrgios has pledged A$200 for every ace he hits this month. Nick Kyrgios hit the most aces (69) in the ATP cup. The Australian Open is the first Grand Slam of the year. The tournament will be played between January 20 to February 2.

Australian Open: Nadal, Federer pledge A$250,000 towards bushfire relief

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../tennis-djokovic-has-world-number-one-nadal- in-his-sights-at-london-finale-260669">Robert Farah</a>, the world number one doubles player, and a former Wimbledon doubles Champion will miss the Australian Open after testing positive in a dope test.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australia-open-hazardous-air-condition-causes-troubles-to-players-in-the-qualifiers-274250">Australian Open: Hazardous air condition delays matches, restarts amid haze</a></p>

<p>'Boldenone' was found in his body system.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/new-wada-report-shows-jump-in-global-doping-cases-269293">New WADA report shows jump in global doping cases</a></p>

<p>He expressed his disappointment on his social media accounts which read "I'm going through one of the saddest moments of my life and, without a doubt, the saddest of my sporting career,".</p>

<p>This came in after another South American player, Chile's Nicolas Jarry, was tested positive for banned substances at the Davis Cup in November. He was suspended by International Tennis Federation.</p>

<p>The 24-year-old's sample showed traces of Ligandrol and Stanozolol running in his system.</p>

<p>Boldenone is a veterinary drug used by farmers in Colombia to boost the growth of cows, and treat horses. But it is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The drug is commonly used in doping during bodybuilding.</p>

<p>In 2018, the Colombian Olympic Committee (COC) had raised the warning to its athletes regarding the consumption of beef.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The COC told the athletes about the presence of Boldenone in the beef.</p>

<p>Robert Farrah was tested two weeks earlier in Shanghai but that sample was negative. He said he was tested more than 15 times throughout the year.</p>

<p>Robert was training in Los Angeles for the Australian Open where he said: "With my team and a group of advisers we're looking into the steps to take in a process in which we hope to show that I've never used any products that violate fair play and ethics,".</p>

<p>He and fellow Colombian Juan Sebastian Cabal won the prestigious Wimbledon and US Grand Slam US Open's doubles titles last year. They were even the runners-up at the Australian Open in 2018.</p>

<p>&nbsp;The 32-year-old is also a two-time Grand Slam mixed doubles finalist with his German partner Anna-Lena Groenefeld.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Robert Farah, the world number one doubles player, and a former Wimbledon doubles Champion will miss the Australian Open after testing positive in a dope test. Also read: Australian Open: Hazardous air condition delays matches, restarts amid haze 'Boldenone' was found in his body system.

Robert Farah, the world number one doubles player, and a former Wimbledon doubles Champion will miss the Australian Open after testing positive in a dope test. Also read: Australian Open: Hazardous air condition delays matches, restarts amid haze 'Boldenone' was found in his body system. Also read: New WADA report shows jump in global doping cases He expressed his disappointment on his social media accounts which read "I'm going through one of the saddest moments of my life and, without a doubt, the saddest of my sporting career,". This came in after another South American player, Chile's Nicolas Jarry, was tested positive for banned substances at the Davis Cup in November. He was suspended by International Tennis Federation. The 24-year-old's sample showed traces of Ligandrol and Stanozolol running in his system. Boldenone is a veterinary drug used by farmers in Colombia to boost the growth of cows, and treat horses. But it is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The drug is commonly used in doping during bodybuilding. In 2018, the Colombian Olympic Committee (COC) had raised the warning to its athletes regarding the consumption of beef. The COC told the athletes about the presence of Boldenone in the beef. Robert Farrah was tested two weeks earlier in Shanghai but that sample was negative. He said he was tested more than 15 times throughout the year. Robert was training in Los Angeles for the Australian Open where he said: "With my team and a group of advisers we're looking into the steps to take in a process in which we hope to show that I've never used any products that violate fair play and ethics,". He and fellow Colombian Juan Sebastian Cabal won the prestigious Wimbledon and US Grand Slam US Open's doubles titles last year. They were even the runners-up at the Australian Open in 2018. The 32-year-old is also a two-time Grand Slam mixed doubles finalist with his German partner Anna-Lena Groenefeld.

World No 1 Men's doubles player Robert Farah out of Australian Open after failing dope test

<p>Forecasts of heavy rain offered hope Tuesday in the months-long battle to contain Australia's unprecedented bushfires, but smoke lifted pollution levels in the nation's second-biggest city to among the worst in the world.</p>

<p>Cool-weather over recent days has already given some respite for exhausted firefighters spread out across vast swathes of the country, with some of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/firefighters-gain-on-california-blaze-last-of-missing-found-alive-156355">biggest blazes</a> now brought under control.</p>

<p><img alt="Bushfire" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ce5ec23a-6c3d-4397-8402-e04cb3e9b83d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%282%29_31.jpg" /></p>

<p>Optimism was further boosted on Tuesday with heavy rain forecast for some of the hotspots in the most populated eastern states of New South Wales and Victoria.</p>

<p>"It’s some pretty good news," New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-bushfires-cooler-temperature-and-rainfall-ease-conditions-ahead-of-rough-night-273517">Shane Fitzsimmons</a> said.</p>

<p>"We’ve been talking about it for months now, that January might see the first fall of decent rain, and that looks like what's coming along over the next few days."&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, dozens of fires remained out of control and, with many weeks of hot weather still expected throughout Australia's summer, there was no suggestion the crisis would end soon.</p>

<p>Toxic smoke from the blazes also blew overnight into the Victorian capital of Melbourne, which is due to stage the Australian Open tennis tournament next week.</p>

<p>Pollution in Melbourne, which is normally ranked as among the world's most liveable cities, was rated "hazardous", with health authorities warning people to stay indoors.</p>

<p>Practice sessions for world number one <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/rafael-nadal-once-again-claims-no-1-spot-in-rankings-novak-djokovic-slips-259888">Rafael Nadal</a> and some of the other big names in tennis were suspended on Tuesday.</p>

<p>Qualifying rounds for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sharapova-to-return-next-month-as-brisbane-wildcard-271149">Australian Open</a> were also delayed for a couple of hours, and the organisers' decision to resume play late on Tuesday morning caused confusion and concern for some players.</p>

<p>Mandy Minella, world number 140 from Luxembourg, voiced her opposition on Twitter.</p>

<p>"Shocked to see that qualifying matches have started @Australian Open, What about the health of all the people that have to work out there, especially the ball kids?" she tweeted.</p>

<p>Still, the hazy conditions were not expected to last all week in Melbourne, with a change in wind direction and the forecast wet weather over the coming days set to clear the air.</p>

<p>The bushfires have killed at least 27 people, destroyed more than 2,000 homes and burnt 10 million hectares (100,000 square kilometers) of land an area larger than South Korea or Portugal.</p>

<p><img alt="Bushfire" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="70794b3e-7c3e-4c65-810a-bbdb1763fe21" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design_41.jpg" /></p>

<p>Australia endures bushfires every summer.</p>

<p>However, climate change and a prolonged drought have contributed to the current crisis, with the blazes starting much earlier than normal and lasting for far longer.</p>

<p>Australia experienced its driest and hottest year on record in 2019, with its highest average maximum temperature of 41.9 degrees Celsius (107.4 degrees Fahrenheit) recorded in mid-December.</p>

<p>The fires have prompted an outpouring of donations from around the world to help communities and devastated animal populations.</p>

<p>Environmental groups estimate one billion <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-open-tennis-stars-and-other-animals-29855">animals</a> have been killed, many of them unique to Australia.</p>

<p>The country's environment minister Sussan Ley has warned that in some areas, koalas may have to be reclassified as endangered.</p>


Forecasts of heavy rain offered hope Tuesday in the months-long battle to contain Australia's unprecedented bushfires, but smoke lifted pollution levels in the nation's second-biggest city to among the worst in the world.

Forecasts of heavy rain offered hope Tuesday in the months-long battle to contain Australia's unprecedented bushfires, but smoke lifted pollution levels in the nation's second-biggest city to among the worst in the world. Cool-weather over recent days has already given some respite for exhausted firefighters spread out across vast swathes of the country, with some of the biggest blazes now brought under control. Optimism was further boosted on Tuesday with heavy rain forecast for some of the hotspots in the most populated eastern states of New South Wales and Victoria. "It’s some pretty good news," New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said. "We’ve been talking about it for months now, that January might see the first fall of decent rain, and that looks like what's coming along over the next few days." However, dozens of fires remained out of control and, with many weeks of hot weather still expected throughout Australia's summer, there was no suggestion the crisis would end soon. Toxic smoke from the blazes also blew overnight into the Victorian capital of Melbourne, which is due to stage the Australian Open tennis tournament next week. Pollution in Melbourne, which is normally ranked as among the world's most liveable cities, was rated "hazardous", with health authorities warning people to stay indoors. Practice sessions for world number one Rafael Nadal and some of the other big names in tennis were suspended on Tuesday. Qualifying rounds for the Australian Open were also delayed for a couple of hours, and the organisers' decision to resume play late on Tuesday morning caused confusion and concern for some players. Mandy Minella, world number 140 from Luxembourg, voiced her opposition on Twitter. "Shocked to see that qualifying matches have started @Australian Open, What about the health of all the people that have to work out there, especially the ball kids?" she tweeted. Still, the hazy conditions were not expected to last all week in Melbourne, with a change in wind direction and the forecast wet weather over the coming days set to clear the air. The bushfires have killed at least 27 people, destroyed more than 2,000 homes and burnt 10 million hectares (100,000 square kilometers) of land an area larger than South Korea or Portugal. Australia endures bushfires every summer. However, climate change and a prolonged drought have contributed to the current crisis, with the blazes starting much earlier than normal and lasting for far longer. Australia experienced its driest and hottest year on record in 2019, with its highest average maximum temperature of 41.9 degrees Celsius (107.4 degrees Fahrenheit) recorded in mid-December. The fires have prompted an outpouring of donations from around the world to help communities and devastated animal populations. Environmental groups estimate one billion animals have been killed, many of them unique to Australia. The country's environment minister Sussan Ley has warned that in some areas, koalas may have to be reclassified as endangered.

Rain offers hope in Australian bushfire fight

<p>The year's first Grand Slam started with a sheet of haze and smoke that covered Melbourne due to the&nbsp;Australian bushfires.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tennis-federer-and-williams-lead-way-to-raise-funds-for-relief-workers-in-australia-273899">Tennis: Federer, Williams lead way to raise funds for workers in Australia bushfires</a></p>

<p>Australia Open qualifying matches were delayed due to Hazardous Air conditions. But Craig Tiley (director of the Tournament) has defended the decision to proceed with the qualifiers.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusOpen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AusOpen</a> practice was temporarily suspended this morning due to poor air quality.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Qualifying matches will begin at 11am.<br />
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Conditions onsite are improving and we are monitoring them constantly.</p>
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) <a href="https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen/status/1216851169508646913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>A player collapsed in a coughing fit and retired from the Australian Open qualifying on Tuesday as&nbsp;organizers faced criticism over the&nbsp;matches going ahead despite Melbourne's air quality to "hazardous" levels due to the bushfires.</p>

<p><strong>In pics:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/celebrities-crickets-raise-money-to-help-rescue-australia-bushfire-victims-273990">Global icons raise money to help rescue Australia bushfire victims</a></p>

<p>Slovenia's Dalila Jakupovic was leading against Swiss player Stefanie Vogele (6-4 5-6) at Melbourne Park Arena, Melbourne when she collapsed on her knees on the blue hardcourt.&nbsp;She was seen fighting for breath.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Saying everybody to stay inside and keep the schedule !? Very Well done!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/hopesheisfine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#hopesheisfine</a>... <a href="https://t.co/hzDFB8DYgZ">pic.twitter.com/hzDFB8DYgZ</a></p>
— steve darcis (@stevedarcishark) <a href="https://twitter.com/stevedarcishark/status/1216929271886860288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>The raging Australian bushfires have claimed 28 lives and destroyed nearly 11.2 million hectares of land.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Victoria state's environment watchdogs have also flashed pollution warnings and have asked the citizens to stay indoors.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bushfire smoke has affected several sports involving soccer, rugby league&nbsp;and cricket with&nbsp;pollution leading to&nbsp;safety fears at the Australian Open.</p>

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<p>Authorities expect the smoke to stay until Wednesday when showers in the afternoon are forecast.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../atp-novak-djokovic-concerned-about-smoke-at- australian-open-as-bushfires-continue-to-blaze-272187">Novak Djokovic</a> expressed concern earlier this month that bushfire smoke might cause health problems for players. Maria Sharapova and&nbsp;Laura Siegemund's matchup was abandoned due to smoke. Maria Sharapova called off the match as she was unable to bear the heat and the smoke.</p>

<p>Tournament organizers last week said that play will be confined to indoor stadiums if the air quality deteriorates.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Why do we need to wait for something bad to happen to do an action 🤷🏼‍♀️🥵 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Melbourne?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Melbourne</a> <a href="https://t.co/bYpXyQAfKe">pic.twitter.com/bYpXyQAfKe</a></p>
— Elina Svitolina (@ElinaSvitolina) <a href="https://twitter.com/ElinaSvitolina/status/1216944323004190720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>A professional tennis Mandy Minella who hails from Luxembourg is competing for the qualifiers took to Twitter to express her concerns to the authorities.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Shocked to see that qualifying matches have started <a href="https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AustralianOpen</a><br />
What about the health of all the people that have to work out there, especially the ballkids? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wherearethelimits?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#wherearethelimits</a>? <a href="https://t.co/2oldEptT2g">pic.twitter.com/2oldEptT2g</a></p>
— mandy minella (@mandyminella) <a href="https://twitter.com/mandyminella/status/1216879106349924354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Australian Open is scheduled to be played between January 20 to February 2.&nbsp;</p>


The year's first Grand Slam started with a sheet of haze and smoke that covered Melbourne due to the Australian bushfires. Also read: Tennis: Federer, Williams lead way to raise funds for workers in Australia bushfires Australia Open qualifying matches were delayed due to Hazardous Air conditions.

The year's first Grand Slam started with a sheet of haze and smoke that covered Melbourne due to the Australian bushfires. Also read: Tennis: Federer, Williams lead way to raise funds for workers in Australia bushfires Australia Open qualifying matches were delayed due to Hazardous Air conditions. But Craig Tiley (director of the Tournament) has defended the decision to proceed with the qualifiers. #AusOpen practice was temporarily suspended this morning due to poor air quality. Qualifying matches will begin at 11am. Conditions onsite are improving and we are monitoring them constantly. — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 13, 2020 × A player collapsed in a coughing fit and retired from the Australian Open qualifying on Tuesday as organizers faced criticism over the matches going ahead despite Melbourne's air quality to "hazardous" levels due to the bushfires. In pics: Global icons raise money to help rescue Australia bushfire victims Slovenia's Dalila Jakupovic was leading against Swiss player Stefanie Vogele (6-4 5-6) at Melbourne Park Arena, Melbourne when she collapsed on her knees on the blue hardcourt. She was seen fighting for breath. Saying everybody to stay inside and keep the schedule !? Very Well done!!! #hopesheisfine... pic.twitter.com/hzDFB8DYgZ — steve darcis (@stevedarcishark) January 14, 2020 × The raging Australian bushfires have claimed 28 lives and destroyed nearly 11.2 million hectares of land. × Victoria state's environment watchdogs have also flashed pollution warnings and have asked the citizens to stay indoors. Bushfire smoke has affected several sports involving soccer, rugby league and cricket with pollution leading to safety fears at the Australian Open. × Authorities expect the smoke to stay until Wednesday when showers in the afternoon are forecast. Novak Djokovic expressed concern earlier this month that bushfire smoke might cause health problems for players. Maria Sharapova and Laura Siegemund's matchup was abandoned due to smoke. Maria Sharapova called off the match as she was unable to bear the heat and the smoke. Tournament organizers last week said that play will be confined to indoor stadiums if the air quality deteriorates. Why do we need to wait for something bad to happen to do an action 🤷🏼‍♀️🥵 #Melbourne pic.twitter.com/bYpXyQAfKe — Elina Svitolina (@ElinaSvitolina) January 14, 2020 × A professional tennis Mandy Minella who hails from Luxembourg is competing for the qualifiers took to Twitter to express her concerns to the authorities. Shocked to see that qualifying matches have started @AustralianOpen What about the health of all the people that have to work out there, especially the ballkids? #wherearethelimits? pic.twitter.com/2oldEptT2g — mandy minella (@mandyminella) January 14, 2020 × The Australian Open is scheduled to be played between January 20 to February 2.

Australian Open: Hazardous air condition delays matches, restarts amid haze

<p>Top seed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/serena-williams-retires-from-3rd-round-match-at-indian-wells-202434">Serena&nbsp;Williams</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/caroline-wozniacki-upbeat-ahead-of-australian-open-defence-189965">Caroline Wozniacki</a> ensured the Auckland Classic retained their two main drawcards as they battled to second round victories on Thursday, although promising teenager Coco Gauff was knocked out.</p>

<p>Williams needed two hours to outlast fellow American Christina McHale with a 3-6 6-2 6-3 victory, while Wozniacki, who is playing her penultimate tournament, fought back to overcome a tenacious Lauren Davis 6-1 4-6 6-4.</p>

<p>Gauff, however, was upset by Germany's Laura Siegemund 5-7 6-2 6-3 in a two-hour, 14-minute match that opened Thursday's action on the main court at the Auckland Tennis Centre.</p>

<p>Siegemund will now meet Williams, who struggled against the 86th-ranked McHale, who had not beaten the 23-times Grand Slam champion in their three previous matches.</p>

<p>McHale kept the 38-year-old off-balance with clever use of angled returns and chased down everything hammered back at her.</p>

<p>Williams only seized control of the match in the fifth game of the decider when she broke serve and told reporters that she had been angry with her play and was determined not to repeat her early Auckland exit in 2017.</p>

<p>"I think today I just got mad," Williams said of what had sparked her turnaround on Thursday. "Honestly, I said I wanted to win more than one match here in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/hockey-world-cup-2018-new-zealand-hold-spain-to-2-2-draw-qualify-for-cross-overs-182006">New Zealand</a>.</p>

<p>"I literally thought about that (2017 tournament) and sometimes it's the craziest things that get you motivated."</p>

<p>Williams crashed out in the second round in Auckland in 2017 with an erratic performance she put down to the swirling winds and she left New Zealand in a hurry stating she was looking forward to better weather in Australia.</p>

<p>She said last week, however, that the early stages of her pregnancy in 2017 had badly affected her and she had no idea at the time why she was angry at everything.</p>

<p>Wozniacki, who is retiring after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sharapova-to-return-next-month-as-brisbane-wildcard-271149">Australian Open</a>, had romped to an early advantage but when Davis saved serve early in the second set she changed the momentum of the match.</p>

<p>The Dane, however, seized her chances on the crucial points in the decider and broke Davis in the ninth game then served out for the match.</p>

<p>"I thought that we both played really well," Wozniacki said. "I just kept digging in and I got lucky in the end."</p>

<p>Wozniacki will now meet Julia Goerges, who has won the Auckland title the last two years, in the quarter-finals after the German produced a clinical 6-3 6-2 victory over Switzerland's Jil Teichmann.</p>


Top seed Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki ensured the Auckland Classic retained their two main drawcards as they battled to second round victories on Thursday, although promising teenager Coco Gauff was knocked out.

Top seed Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki ensured the Auckland Classic retained their two main drawcards as they battled to second round victories on Thursday, although promising teenager Coco Gauff was knocked out. Williams needed two hours to outlast fellow American Christina McHale with a 3-6 6-2 6-3 victory, while Wozniacki, who is playing her penultimate tournament, fought back to overcome a tenacious Lauren Davis 6-1 4-6 6-4. Gauff, however, was upset by Germany's Laura Siegemund 5-7 6-2 6-3 in a two-hour, 14-minute match that opened Thursday's action on the main court at the Auckland Tennis Centre. Siegemund will now meet Williams, who struggled against the 86th-ranked McHale, who had not beaten the 23-times Grand Slam champion in their three previous matches. McHale kept the 38-year-old off-balance with clever use of angled returns and chased down everything hammered back at her. Williams only seized control of the match in the fifth game of the decider when she broke serve and told reporters that she had been angry with her play and was determined not to repeat her early Auckland exit in 2017. "I think today I just got mad," Williams said of what had sparked her turnaround on Thursday. "Honestly, I said I wanted to win more than one match here in New Zealand. "I literally thought about that (2017 tournament) and sometimes it's the craziest things that get you motivated." Williams crashed out in the second round in Auckland in 2017 with an erratic performance she put down to the swirling winds and she left New Zealand in a hurry stating she was looking forward to better weather in Australia. She said last week, however, that the early stages of her pregnancy in 2017 had badly affected her and she had no idea at the time why she was angry at everything. Wozniacki, who is retiring after the Australian Open, had romped to an early advantage but when Davis saved serve early in the second set she changed the momentum of the match. The Dane, however, seized her chances on the crucial points in the decider and broke Davis in the ninth game then served out for the match. "I thought that we both played really well," Wozniacki said. "I just kept digging in and I got lucky in the end." Wozniacki will now meet Julia Goerges, who has won the Auckland title the last two years, in the quarter-finals after the German produced a clinical 6-3 6-2 victory over Switzerland's Jil Teichmann.

Tennis: Serena Williams, Caroline Wozniacki struggle but advance to Auckland quarters

<p>Former world number one <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sharapova-to-return-next-month-as-brisbane-wildcard-271149">Maria Sharapova</a> will be awarded a world card to play in this month's Australian Open, the organisers of the year's first Grand Slam said on Wednesday.</p>

<p>The 32-year-old Russian is currently ranked 147th in the world after a season in which a long-standing shoulder injury restricted her to eight tournaments.</p>

<p>Sharapova played her first match since losing in the first round of last year's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/us-open-2019-serena-williams-wins-first-round-against-maria-sharapova-245883">US&nbsp;Open</a> at the Brisbane International on Tuesday but was defeated 3-6 6-1 7-6(3) by American qualifier <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/johanna-konta-maria-sharapova-fall-at-rogers-cup-in-toronto-241052">Jennifer Brady</a>.</p>

<p>Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley confirmed on Wednesday that the 2008 champion will receive a wildcard entry into the main singles draw for the tournament, which starts in Melbourne on January&nbsp;20.</p>

<p>She responded with a "Thank you!!" to a post from the official Australian Open Twitter which read: "We'll see you at #AO2020 @MariaSharapova..."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We'll see you at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AO2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AO2020</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MariaSharapova?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MariaSharapova</a>...<a href="https://t.co/s9Ahx8UJRI">https://t.co/s9Ahx8UJRI</a></p>
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) <a href="https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen/status/1214731296108236800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>The five-time Grand Slam champion has been troubled by shoulder problems throughout her career and underwent surgery early last year, with lingering problems hampering her throughout the 2019 season.</p>

<p>"I've been fighting a virus for a couple of weeks and ended up in the hospital the other day, so that wasn't fun," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/johanna-konta-maria-sharapova-fall-at-rogers-cup-in-toronto-241052">Sharapova</a> said after her loss in Brisbane.</p>

<p>"I just couldn't keep anything in (but) that's the extent that I'm going to share with you."</p>

<p>Sharapova lost to Ash Barty in the fourth round of last year's Australian Open.</p>


Former world number one Maria Sharapova will be awarded a world card to play in this month's Australian Open, the organisers of the year's first Grand Slam said on Wednesday.

Former world number one Maria Sharapova will be awarded a world card to play in this month's Australian Open, the organisers of the year's first Grand Slam said on Wednesday. The 32-year-old Russian is currently ranked 147th in the world after a season in which a long-standing shoulder injury restricted her to eight tournaments. Sharapova played her first match since losing in the first round of last year's US Open at the Brisbane International on Tuesday but was defeated 3-6 6-1 7-6(3) by American qualifier Jennifer Brady. Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley confirmed on Wednesday that the 2008 champion will receive a wildcard entry into the main singles draw for the tournament, which starts in Melbourne on January 20. She responded with a "Thank you!!" to a post from the official Australian Open Twitter which read: "We'll see you at #AO2020 @MariaSharapova..." We'll see you at #AO2020 @MariaSharapova...https://t.co/s9Ahx8UJRI — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 8, 2020 × The five-time Grand Slam champion has been troubled by shoulder problems throughout her career and underwent surgery early last year, with lingering problems hampering her throughout the 2019 season. "I've been fighting a virus for a couple of weeks and ended up in the hospital the other day, so that wasn't fun," Sharapova said after her loss in Brisbane. "I just couldn't keep anything in (but) that's the extent that I'm going to share with you." Sharapova lost to Ash Barty in the fourth round of last year's Australian Open.

Tennis: Former champion Sharapova to get Australian Open wildcard

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/djokovic-and-nadal-rally-for-merger-of-atp-cup-and-davis-cup-271915">Novak Djokovic</a> said Australian Open organisers should consider delaying the first <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/atp-cup-2020-tennis-innovative-24-team-tournament-to-begin-from-january-3-271406">Grand Slam</a> of the year if haze from bushfires raging around the country threatens players' health.</p>

<p>The opening major of 2020 is due to start at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fuelled-by-high-temperatures-and-strong-winds-australian-bushfires-continues-rage-272114">Melbourne</a> Park on January 20 and the city was blanketed by smoke from blazes burning to the east on Saturday, compromising air quality.</p>

<p>Djokovic, president of the ATP players council, said in the early hours of Sunday that any delay would be a last resort, but it needed to be discussed.</p>

<p>"I mean, it's fair from you to say that (ask the question)," he said when pressed on the matter in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/atp-cup-kicks-off-with-shapovalov-win-271903">Brisbane</a>, where he is playing for Serbia in the inaugural ATP Cup team event.</p>

<p>"Obviously, you have to always&nbsp;because of some extreme weather and conditions, you just have to consider it.</p>

<p>"But I think that's probably the very, very last option for anything. I think they're going to try to do anything to not delay in terms of days and when it starts.</p>

<p>"I mean, and I understand why, but if it comes down to those conditions affecting the health of players, I think we should definitely consider it."</p>

<p>Catastrophic <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-firefighters-get-brief-reprieve-as-death-toll-rises-272175">bushfires</a> have been raging in Australia for weeks, leaving 24 dead and hundreds of properties destroyed.</p>

<p>Tennis officials last week took the unprecedented decision to relocate the Canberra International, an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/atp-cup-2020-tennis-innovative-24-team-tournament-to-begin-from-january-3-271406">ATP</a> Challenger 125 event and on the women's ITF World Tennis Tour, which serves as a stepping stone to the full tour.</p>

<p>They said play would not have been possible in the Australian capital which has been choked by smoke, with the tournament now due to start Monday at Bendigo in Victoria state.</p>

<p>Djokovic said he had experienced air quality issues at tournaments in China, but the bushfires had created an unprecedented situation.</p>

<p>The Serbian superstar said he not spoken to Tennis Australia chief <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-open-prize-pool-jumps-to-49-million-biggest-gains-for-early-rounds-269945">Craig Tiley</a> "but people from my team have".</p>

<p>"They're obviously tracking the situation every single day as it's evolving and hopefully calming down with the smoke and fires," he said.</p>

<p>"I think they will, if it continues the same way and if the quality of air is affected.&nbsp;I think Tennis Australia probably will be forced to, I think, create some rules about it.</p>

<p>"I mean, it's tough for them because scheduling has to be respected in terms of play and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sharapova-to-return-next-month-as-brisbane-wildcard-271149">Australian Open</a> starts at a certain time, so there's a lot of different things involved.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"But health is a concern for me and for anybody."</p>

<p>He said the ATP players' council was due to meet before the Australian Open and the issue would be on the agenda.</p>


Novak Djokovic said Australian Open organisers should consider delaying the first Grand Slam of the year if haze from bushfires raging around the country threatens players' health.

Novak Djokovic said Australian Open organisers should consider delaying the first Grand Slam of the year if haze from bushfires raging around the country threatens players' health. The opening major of 2020 is due to start at Melbourne Park on January 20 and the city was blanketed by smoke from blazes burning to the east on Saturday, compromising air quality. Djokovic, president of the ATP players council, said in the early hours of Sunday that any delay would be a last resort, but it needed to be discussed. "I mean, it's fair from you to say that (ask the question)," he said when pressed on the matter in Brisbane, where he is playing for Serbia in the inaugural ATP Cup team event. "Obviously, you have to always because of some extreme weather and conditions, you just have to consider it. "But I think that's probably the very, very last option for anything. I think they're going to try to do anything to not delay in terms of days and when it starts. "I mean, and I understand why, but if it comes down to those conditions affecting the health of players, I think we should definitely consider it." Catastrophic bushfires have been raging in Australia for weeks, leaving 24 dead and hundreds of properties destroyed. Tennis officials last week took the unprecedented decision to relocate the Canberra International, an ATP Challenger 125 event and on the women's ITF World Tennis Tour, which serves as a stepping stone to the full tour. They said play would not have been possible in the Australian capital which has been choked by smoke, with the tournament now due to start Monday at Bendigo in Victoria state. Djokovic said he had experienced air quality issues at tournaments in China, but the bushfires had created an unprecedented situation. The Serbian superstar said he not spoken to Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley "but people from my team have". "They're obviously tracking the situation every single day as it's evolving and hopefully calming down with the smoke and fires," he said. "I think they will, if it continues the same way and if the quality of air is affected. I think Tennis Australia probably will be forced to, I think, create some rules about it. "I mean, it's tough for them because scheduling has to be respected in terms of play and the Australian Open starts at a certain time, so there's a lot of different things involved. "But health is a concern for me and for anybody." He said the ATP players' council was due to meet before the Australian Open and the issue would be on the agenda.

ATP: Novak Djokovic concerned about smoke at Australian Open as bushfires continue to blaze

<p>Japanese star <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/kei-nishikori-cruises-into-last-eight-in-barcelona-213454">Kei&nbsp;Nishikori</a>&nbsp;pulled out of the Australian Open and the inaugural ATP Cup Monday as he continues to struggle with an elbow injury that has kept him out since the US Open.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The former world number four, who has slipped to 13, said he was disappointed not to be able to begin his season as hoped for in January.</p>

<p>"Unfortunately I have to pull out of the ATP Cup and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/andy-murray-pulls-out-of-australian-open-with-injury-270808">Aussie Open</a>," he said in statement.</p>

<p>"Today, together with my team, we have made this decision as I am still not 100 per cent ready or healthy to compete at the highest level.</p>

<p>"This decision was not taken lightly as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/kei-nishikori-survives-huge-scare-against-karlovic-190882">Australia</a> is one of my favourite places to compete," he added.</p>

<p>Nishikori's elbow needed surgery in October and he has not played since.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/roger-federer-makes-short-work-of-nishioka-in-clammy-new-york-162243">Yoshihito Nishioka</a> will replace him as the top-ranked player in Japan's ATP Cup team in Perth.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/davis-cup-rafael-nadal-sparks-spanish-comeback-levels-group-b-tie-263277">Yasutaka Uchiyama</a> also withdrew from the event earlier&nbsp;this week, with Toshihide Matsui called up instead.The innovative ATP Cup, from January 3-12, offers $15 million in prize money and a maximum of 750 singles and 250 doubles ATP rankings points in the new men's warm-up tournament for the opening Grand Slam of the year.</p>

<p>It will see 24 nations split into six groups, with eight teams emerging from the round-robin stage to compete in the knockout phase.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sydney will host the finals, along with group games which will also be held in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/kei-nishikori-claims-brisbane-title-188550">Brisbane</a> and Perth.</p>


Japanese star Kei Nishikori pulled out of the Australian Open and the inaugural ATP Cup Monday as he continues to struggle with an elbow injury that has kept him out since the US Open.

Japanese star Kei Nishikori pulled out of the Australian Open and the inaugural ATP Cup Monday as he continues to struggle with an elbow injury that has kept him out since the US Open. The former world number four, who has slipped to 13, said he was disappointed not to be able to begin his season as hoped for in January. "Unfortunately I have to pull out of the ATP Cup and the Aussie Open," he said in statement. "Today, together with my team, we have made this decision as I am still not 100 per cent ready or healthy to compete at the highest level. "This decision was not taken lightly as Australia is one of my favourite places to compete," he added. Nishikori's elbow needed surgery in October and he has not played since. Yoshihito Nishioka will replace him as the top-ranked player in Japan's ATP Cup team in Perth. Yasutaka Uchiyama also withdrew from the event earlier this week, with Toshihide Matsui called up instead.The innovative ATP Cup, from January 3-12, offers $15 million in prize money and a maximum of 750 singles and 250 doubles ATP rankings points in the new men's warm-up tournament for the opening Grand Slam of the year. It will see 24 nations split into six groups, with eight teams emerging from the round-robin stage to compete in the knockout phase. Sydney will host the finals, along with group games which will also be held in Brisbane and Perth.

Tennis: Japan's Nishikori out of Australian Open and ATP Cup

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nadal-murray-honoured-at-atp-awards-269400">Andy Murray</a> has withdrawn from next month's Australian Open because of a pelvic injury, the three-time Grand Slam champion's management team announced on Saturday.</p>

<p>The former world number one, who has been making an inspirational comeback after hip resurfacing surgery, has decided not to travel to Melbourne after the injury he sustained at the end of the season failed to improve as he had hoped.</p>

<p>Murray, who has been able to train on court this week, will miss the January&nbsp;20-February&nbsp;2 Grand Slam where he has been a five-time losing finalist and will also not play for Britain in the inaugural <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/worlds-top-10-commit-to-new-atp-cup-in-australia-249594">ATP Cup</a> in Australia, starting on Jan 3.</p>

<p>"Unfortunately, I've had a setback and as a precaution need to work through that before competing," the Scot told the BBC.</p>

<p>"I've worked so hard to get myself into a situation where I can play at the top level and I'm gutted I'm not going to be able to play."</p>

<p>His management team said in an email: "It was always going to be a tight turnaround, but the team took the decision not to rush back, so he'll continue hitting on court and building up fitness in January."</p>

<p>It was at last year's Australian Open that Murray was left in tears at a news conference where he told reporters that he was in such pain from a chronic hip injury that it might be his last tournament.</p>

<p>Yet, amazingly, the 32-year-old had looked on course to play in his first Grand Slam singles event since Melbourne after his recovery from major hip surgery 11 months ago had seen him climb back to No. 125 in the world.</p>

<p>After returning to competitive singles play in August, he even won the European Open in Antwerp, beating his old rival Stan Wawrinka in the final to secure his first triumph for more than two years.</p>

<p>Yet Murray has not played since Britain's opening tie at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/andy-murray-leads-britain-to-opening-davis-cup-win-spain-reach-last-eight-263586">Davis Cup finals</a> in Madrid last month when the pelvic bruising flared up.</p>

<p>Subsequently, he did not travel to Miami for his usual training stint, deciding instead to stay at home to train.</p>

<p>The Scot will now not play until February at the earliest, with his first tournament scheduled to be the Open Sud de France in Montpellier.</p>


Andy Murray has withdrawn from next month's Australian Open because of a pelvic injury, the three-time Grand Slam champion's management team announced on Saturday.

Andy Murray has withdrawn from next month's Australian Open because of a pelvic injury, the three-time Grand Slam champion's management team announced on Saturday. The former world number one, who has been making an inspirational comeback after hip resurfacing surgery, has decided not to travel to Melbourne after the injury he sustained at the end of the season failed to improve as he had hoped. Murray, who has been able to train on court this week, will miss the January 20-February 2 Grand Slam where he has been a five-time losing finalist and will also not play for Britain in the inaugural ATP Cup in Australia, starting on Jan 3. "Unfortunately, I've had a setback and as a precaution need to work through that before competing," the Scot told the BBC. "I've worked so hard to get myself into a situation where I can play at the top level and I'm gutted I'm not going to be able to play." His management team said in an email: "It was always going to be a tight turnaround, but the team took the decision not to rush back, so he'll continue hitting on court and building up fitness in January." It was at last year's Australian Open that Murray was left in tears at a news conference where he told reporters that he was in such pain from a chronic hip injury that it might be his last tournament. Yet, amazingly, the 32-year-old had looked on course to play in his first Grand Slam singles event since Melbourne after his recovery from major hip surgery 11 months ago had seen him climb back to No. 125 in the world. After returning to competitive singles play in August, he even won the European Open in Antwerp, beating his old rival Stan Wawrinka in the final to secure his first triumph for more than two years. Yet Murray has not played since Britain's opening tie at the Davis Cup finals in Madrid last month when the pelvic bruising flared up. Subsequently, he did not travel to Miami for his usual training stint, deciding instead to stay at home to train. The Scot will now not play until February at the earliest, with his first tournament scheduled to be the Open Sud de France in Montpellier.

Andy Murray pulls out of Australian Open with injury

<p>Sydneysider Matt&nbsp;Jones&nbsp;won his&nbsp;second<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-open-tweaks-extreme-heat-policy-187116">&nbsp;Australian&nbsp;Open</a>&nbsp;title in four years on Sunday after a two-under-par 69 in the final round proved just enough for a one-shot victory over major&nbsp;winner Louis Oosthuizen.</p>

<p>There was&nbsp;late&nbsp;drama when Oosthuizen finished with an eagle to draw within a shot of the lead but&nbsp;Jones, despite finding a bunker from the 18th tee, held his nerve to nail a five-foot par putt on the final green and secure the title.</p>

<p>Jones, the overnight leader, ended on 15-under 269 for a tournament to raise the Stonehaven Cup for the&nbsp;second&nbsp;time at The&nbsp;Australian&nbsp;Golf&nbsp;Club, where he is a member and also secured his 2015 triumph.</p>

<p>Players had complained of visibility problems and stinging eyes when smoke from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sydneysiders-urged-to-stay-indoors-as-australian-bushfire-smoke-blankets-city-263900">bushfires</a> raging around Sydney blanketed the course over the first two rounds of the tournament but blustery&nbsp;winds cleared the skies over the weekend.</p>

<p>The&nbsp;wind brings its own problems to the suburban layout but it appears few players are better equipped to deal with them than&nbsp;Jones, who has finished first-second-first on his last three visits home for the&nbsp;Australian&nbsp;Open.</p>

<p>The Arizona-based 39-year-old had picked up at least three shots over the back nine in the first three rounds so he would have been confident of victory when he turned around at level par with his three-shot overnight lead intact.</p>

<p>He walked hand-in-hand with one of his daughters at one point and the back-nine birdies duly arrived at the 13th and 14th holes with the&nbsp;Australian&nbsp;looking to have sealed the title when he nailed a 30-foot putt for another at the 17th.</p>

<p>It was not going to be that straightforward, however, and Oosthuizen, who had also picked up three birdies on the back nine, triggered a&nbsp;late&nbsp;scare&nbsp;with an eagle three at the last that left&nbsp;Jones&nbsp;needing to par the final hole for victory.</p>

<p>Jones's ball was in a bunker when the roar went up for Oosthuizen's eagle putt and the&nbsp;Australian's&nbsp;second&nbsp;shot ended up in a rough patch of bark.</p>

<p>His third shot got him back on the fairway, however, and a well-judged approach shot gave him a short putt to clinch his third professional title.</p>

<p>South African Oosthuizen, using the tournament to warm up for next week's Presidents Cup in Melbourne, shot a 66 for&nbsp;second&nbsp;place with Aaron Pike (69) and Japan's Takumi Kanaya (71) in third place a further five shots back on nine-under.</p>

<p>Jones, Queenslander Pike, and amateur world number one Kanaya also earned spots at next year's British&nbsp;Open&nbsp;with Oosthuizen enjoying a lifetime exemption after his 2010 triumph at the major.</p>

<p>England's Paul Casey, the highest-ranked player in the field at world number 14, finished in a share of fifth on eight-under after a final round 72.</p>


Sydneysider Matt Jones won his second Australian Open title in four years on Sunday after a two-under-par 69 in the final round proved just enough for a one-shot victory over major winner Louis Oosthuizen.

Sydneysider Matt Jones won his second Australian Open title in four years on Sunday after a two-under-par 69 in the final round proved just enough for a one-shot victory over major winner Louis Oosthuizen. There was late drama when Oosthuizen finished with an eagle to draw within a shot of the lead but Jones, despite finding a bunker from the 18th tee, held his nerve to nail a five-foot par putt on the final green and secure the title. Jones, the overnight leader, ended on 15-under 269 for a tournament to raise the Stonehaven Cup for the second time at The Australian Golf Club, where he is a member and also secured his 2015 triumph. Players had complained of visibility problems and stinging eyes when smoke from the bushfires raging around Sydney blanketed the course over the first two rounds of the tournament but blustery winds cleared the skies over the weekend. The wind brings its own problems to the suburban layout but it appears few players are better equipped to deal with them than Jones, who has finished first-second-first on his last three visits home for the Australian Open. The Arizona-based 39-year-old had picked up at least three shots over the back nine in the first three rounds so he would have been confident of victory when he turned around at level par with his three-shot overnight lead intact. He walked hand-in-hand with one of his daughters at one point and the back-nine birdies duly arrived at the 13th and 14th holes with the Australian looking to have sealed the title when he nailed a 30-foot putt for another at the 17th. It was not going to be that straightforward, however, and Oosthuizen, who had also picked up three birdies on the back nine, triggered a late scare with an eagle three at the last that left Jones needing to par the final hole for victory. Jones's ball was in a bunker when the roar went up for Oosthuizen's eagle putt and the Australian's second shot ended up in a rough patch of bark. His third shot got him back on the fairway, however, and a well-judged approach shot gave him a short putt to clinch his third professional title. South African Oosthuizen, using the tournament to warm up for next week's Presidents Cup in Melbourne, shot a 66 for second place with Aaron Pike (69) and Japan's Takumi Kanaya (71) in third place a further five shots back on nine-under. Jones, Queenslander Pike, and amateur world number one Kanaya also earned spots at next year's British Open with Oosthuizen enjoying a lifetime exemption after his 2010 triumph at the major. England's Paul Casey, the highest-ranked player in the field at world number 14, finished in a share of fifth on eight-under after a final round 72.

Golf: Jones comes through late scare to win second Australian Open

<p>Andy Murray claimed his first ATP title since having career-saving hip surgery as he fought off Stan Wawrinka in an engrossing duel in the European Open final in Antwerp on Sunday.</p>

<p>Former world number one Murray, who appeared on the brink of retirement after losing in the first round of the Australian Open in January, battled back from a set and a break down to win 3-6 6-4 6-4.</p>

<p>In the first final between the pair for 11 years it was 34-year-old Wawrinka, who has also suffered injury problems, who appeared on course for victory when he had points for a double break in the second set, having powered through the first.</p>

<p>But Murray, 32, who opted to have hip resurfacing surgery after the Australian Open and only returned to court in June, initially in doubles, displayed his old fighting qualities and no sign of any physical problems as he roared back to claim a 46th career title.</p>

<p>The deciding set was littered with service breaks but Murray crucially saved breakpoints at 4-4 and then pounced when Wawrinka served in the next game, sealing the title as his tiring Swiss opponent blazed a forehand wide.</p>

<p>"It's amazing to be back playing against Stan in a final like that, he was playing unbelievable," Murray, who appeared close to tears at the end, said on court.</p>

<p>"I never expected to be in this position so I'm very happy. Stan was hitting winners from everywhere but I managed to hang in there. This is one of my biggest wins after everything."</p>

<p>Murray's last title came in Dubai in March 2017 when he was still the top-ranked player in the world.</p>

<p>The Scot is attempting to defy conventional wisdom as no player has ever returned from such a hip procedure to the top levels in singles. He has been picking up encouraging victories of late and reached the quarter-finals of the China Open but Wawrinka was by far his biggest win since returning.</p>

<p>Wawrinka, who had knee surgery two years ago, broke Murray's serve in the second game of the match and dominated many of the rallies with his backhand punching holes in Murray's guard.</p>

<p>Two backhand winners gave Wawrinka a break for 2-1 in the second set and he then had Murray 15-40 down at 1-3.</p>

<p>Murray survived through and became increasingly fired-up as Wawrinka's serve began to cool off.</p>

<p>He broke back, then saved a breakpoint at 4-4 when he challenged an "out" call on a forehand before winning the replayed point and letting out a huge roar.</p>

<p>Two rasping backhands secured Murray the set on Wawrinka's serve and the decider was a real scrap between the old warriors.</p>

<p>Murray had more in the tank though as he took his career record over Wawrinka to 12-8.</p>

<p>The Scot is about to become a father for the third time and joked that his family has grown since his enforced time away from the match court.</p>

<p>"I've got a third one coming so I will have three kids under four years old," Murray said.</p>

<p>"When I have been off Tour my family has got bigger so I need to get back on the road so we don't get out of control."</p>


Andy Murray claimed his first ATP title since having career-saving hip surgery as he fought off Stan Wawrinka in an engrossing duel in the European Open final in Antwerp on Sunday.

Andy Murray claimed his first ATP title since having career-saving hip surgery as he fought off Stan Wawrinka in an engrossing duel in the European Open final in Antwerp on Sunday. Former world number one Murray, who appeared on the brink of retirement after losing in the first round of the Australian Open in January, battled back from a set and a break down to win 3-6 6-4 6-4. In the first final between the pair for 11 years it was 34-year-old Wawrinka, who has also suffered injury problems, who appeared on course for victory when he had points for a double break in the second set, having powered through the first. But Murray, 32, who opted to have hip resurfacing surgery after the Australian Open and only returned to court in June, initially in doubles, displayed his old fighting qualities and no sign of any physical problems as he roared back to claim a 46th career title. The deciding set was littered with service breaks but Murray crucially saved breakpoints at 4-4 and then pounced when Wawrinka served in the next game, sealing the title as his tiring Swiss opponent blazed a forehand wide. "It's amazing to be back playing against Stan in a final like that, he was playing unbelievable," Murray, who appeared close to tears at the end, said on court. "I never expected to be in this position so I'm very happy. Stan was hitting winners from everywhere but I managed to hang in there. This is one of my biggest wins after everything." Murray's last title came in Dubai in March 2017 when he was still the top-ranked player in the world. The Scot is attempting to defy conventional wisdom as no player has ever returned from such a hip procedure to the top levels in singles. He has been picking up encouraging victories of late and reached the quarter-finals of the China Open but Wawrinka was by far his biggest win since returning. Wawrinka, who had knee surgery two years ago, broke Murray's serve in the second game of the match and dominated many of the rallies with his backhand punching holes in Murray's guard. Two backhand winners gave Wawrinka a break for 2-1 in the second set and he then had Murray 15-40 down at 1-3. Murray survived through and became increasingly fired-up as Wawrinka's serve began to cool off. He broke back, then saved a breakpoint at 4-4 when he challenged an "out" call on a forehand before winning the replayed point and letting out a huge roar. Two rasping backhands secured Murray the set on Wawrinka's serve and the decider was a real scrap between the old warriors. Murray had more in the tank though as he took his career record over Wawrinka to 12-8. The Scot is about to become a father for the third time and joked that his family has grown since his enforced time away from the match court. "I've got a third one coming so I will have three kids under four years old," Murray said. "When I have been off Tour my family has got bigger so I need to get back on the road so we don't get out of control."

Andy Murray beats Stan Wawrinka to win first title since hip surgery

<p>Japan's tennis star Naomi Osaka on Friday said she is splitting with her coach Jermain Jenkins.</p>

<p>She made the announcement prior to the Pan Pacific Open tournament.</p>

<p>The 21-year-old broke the news on Twitter and said, "Writing this to let you guys know that I and Jay won't be working anymore. I am super grateful for the time we spent together and the things I learned on and off the court but I feel like now is an appropriate time for a change."</p>

<p>"Appreciate you, forever warmed by you, Nat and Jordon lol. Thank you for everything, it was a blast," she added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jenkins had become the coach of Osaka after the Australian Open this year.</p>

<p>The tennis star had earlier broken association with Sascha Bajin, who saw her rise to win two Grand Slams —&nbsp;US Open 2018 and Australian Open this year.</p>

<p>Osaka has had a mixed bag of a year. After winning the Australian Open, she had to face a humiliating first-round exit from Wimbledon after losing to Yulin Putintseva.</p>

<p>In the more recent US Open, she was knocked out in the round of 16 as she lost to Belinda Bencic.</p>


Japan's tennis star Naomi Osaka on Friday said she is splitting with her coach Jermain Jenkins. She made the announcement prior to the Pan Pacific Open tournament.

Japan's tennis star Naomi Osaka on Friday said she is splitting with her coach Jermain Jenkins. She made the announcement prior to the Pan Pacific Open tournament. The 21-year-old broke the news on Twitter and said, "Writing this to let you guys know that I and Jay won't be working anymore. I am super grateful for the time we spent together and the things I learned on and off the court but I feel like now is an appropriate time for a change." "Appreciate you, forever warmed by you, Nat and Jordon lol. Thank you for everything, it was a blast," she added. Jenkins had become the coach of Osaka after the Australian Open this year. The tennis star had earlier broken association with Sascha Bajin, who saw her rise to win two Grand Slams — US Open 2018 and Australian Open this year. Osaka has had a mixed bag of a year. After winning the Australian Open, she had to face a humiliating first-round exit from Wimbledon after losing to Yulin Putintseva. In the more recent US Open, she was knocked out in the round of 16 as she lost to Belinda Bencic.

Japan's Naomi Osaka announces split with coach

Kim Clijsters, 36, makes comeback in era dominated by teens

Boris Becker auctions trophies to pay off debts

<p>Indian shuttler PV Sindhu was knocked out of the Australian Open after she faced a 21-19, 21-28 defeat against Thailand's Nitchaon Jindapol in the second round here on Thursday.</p>

<p>After securing an easy win over Indonesia's Choirunnisa, Sindhu struggled to win even a single set against Jindapol, she lost in straight sets.</p>

<p>In the opening set, Jindapol took an early 4-0 lead over Sindhu.</p>

<p>However, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/sports/pv-sindhus-2018-ends-well-with-historic-gold-187385&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjQ65XG_tTiAhXzheYKHayTDesQFjADegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Oh9iLU-7iA3WthnKrcxYK">Sindhu </a>managed to bring the game at 5-5.</p>

<p>The game proceeded in a similar manner and as the game was brought to 19-19 each.</p>

<p>From there on, World number 21, Jindapol clinched two consecutive points to win the set.</p>

<p>Continuing a similar performance, Jindapol won the second set as well as she thrashed Sindhu by 21-18.</p>

<p>With this defeat, Sindhu made a second-round exit from the Australian Open.</p>


Indian shuttler PV Sindhu was knocked out of the Australian Open after she faced a 21-19, 21-28 defeat against Thailand's Nitchaon Jindapol in the second round here on Thursday.

Indian shuttler PV Sindhu was knocked out of the Australian Open after she faced a 21-19, 21-28 defeat against Thailand's Nitchaon Jindapol in the second round here on Thursday. After securing an easy win over Indonesia's Choirunnisa, Sindhu struggled to win even a single set against Jindapol, she lost in straight sets. In the opening set, Jindapol took an early 4-0 lead over Sindhu. However, Sindhu managed to bring the game at 5-5. The game proceeded in a similar manner and as the game was brought to 19-19 each. From there on, World number 21, Jindapol clinched two consecutive points to win the set. Continuing a similar performance, Jindapol won the second set as well as she thrashed Sindhu by 21-18. With this defeat, Sindhu made a second-round exit from the Australian Open.

India's PV Sindhu faces second-round exit at Australian Open

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=Andy+Murray">Andy Murray</a> will make his competitive return from hip surgery later this month at the Queen's Club grasscourt tournament where he will play in the doubles event.</p>

<p>"I am really excited to return to the match court for the first time since my surgery," Murray was quoted on the Lawn Tennis Association website.</p>

<p>"Queen's has always been a special place for me and it's the perfect place to return. It's where I won my first ATP match, my first title in Britain and on grass, and it's been my most successful tournament overall."</p>

<p>Three-time Grand Slam champion Murray, 32, will likely partner Spain's Feliciano Lopez.</p>

<p>He has not played since the Australian Open in January, after which he had a hip-resurfacing operation.</p>

<p>Murray's return to the court will raise hopes that he could appear at Wimbledon, although he played down his chances of appearing in the singles there.</p>

<p>"I'm not yet ready to return to the singles court, but I've been pain-free for a few months now," he said.</p>

<p>"I've made good progress in training and on the practice court, and this is the next step for me as I try to return to the tour."</p>

<p>The Queen's event, where Murray has won the singles title five times, begins on June 17.</p>


Andy Murray will make his competitive return from hip surgery later this month at the Queen's Club grasscourt tournament where he will play in the doubles event.

Andy Murray will make his competitive return from hip surgery later this month at the Queen's Club grasscourt tournament where he will play in the doubles event. "I am really excited to return to the match court for the first time since my surgery," Murray was quoted on the Lawn Tennis Association website. "Queen's has always been a special place for me and it's the perfect place to return. It's where I won my first ATP match, my first title in Britain and on grass, and it's been my most successful tournament overall." Three-time Grand Slam champion Murray, 32, will likely partner Spain's Feliciano Lopez. He has not played since the Australian Open in January, after which he had a hip-resurfacing operation. Murray's return to the court will raise hopes that he could appear at Wimbledon, although he played down his chances of appearing in the singles there. "I'm not yet ready to return to the singles court, but I've been pain-free for a few months now," he said. "I've made good progress in training and on the practice court, and this is the next step for me as I try to return to the tour." The Queen's event, where Murray has won the singles title five times, begins on June 17.

Andy Murray set to play doubles at Queen's Club

<p>Andy Murray has returned to a tennis court two months after undergoing hip resurfacing surgery.</p>

<p>Murray, who has not played competitively since his first round exit at the Australian Open in January, said last month he could possibly play at Wimbledon as he was now pain-free after the surgery.</p>

<p>The 31-year-old posted a short video on Instagram, where he was seen hitting the ball in an outdoor court while rallying with a wall with a caption, "It's a start."</p>

<p>Murray had said he was not sure he could play in the singles draw at Wimbledon, a tournament he has won twice, but targeted a possible return in doubles at this year's tournament as it put less stress on his hip.</p>

<p>The three-time Grand Slam champion compared his situation to that of American doubles player Bob Bryan who returned to the court 5-1/2 months after a similar procedure.</p>

<p>This year's Wimbledon begins on July 1.</p>


Andy Murray has returned to a tennis court two months after undergoing hip resurfacing surgery. Murray, who has not played competitively since his first round exit at the Australian Open in January, said last month he could possibly play at Wimbledon as he was now pain-free after the surgery.

Andy Murray has returned to a tennis court two months after undergoing hip resurfacing surgery. Murray, who has not played competitively since his first round exit at the Australian Open in January, said last month he could possibly play at Wimbledon as he was now pain-free after the surgery. The 31-year-old posted a short video on Instagram, where he was seen hitting the ball in an outdoor court while rallying with a wall with a caption, "It's a start." Murray had said he was not sure he could play in the singles draw at Wimbledon, a tournament he has won twice, but targeted a possible return in doubles at this year's tournament as it put less stress on his hip. The three-time Grand Slam champion compared his situation to that of American doubles player Bob Bryan who returned to the court 5-1/2 months after a similar procedure. This year's Wimbledon begins on July 1.

Andy Murray returns to court after hip surgery

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