The good and great of world tennis have addressed the world’s media ahead of Australian Open 2020 – but what did we learn from what they did (and didn’t) say?
1. Daniil Medvedev thinks he can win the whole thing
The only man to take a set from Novak Djokovic at AO2019 believes he is “a different person, different player” 12 months on.
“Good Australian Open is to win it,” declared Medvedev, seeded No.4 and drawn in Rafael Nadal’s half.
John McEnroe tips Medvedev as the leading contender to break the Big Three’s dominance of the majors, stretching back to the 2016 US Open. “When legends like John say it, it's an honour for me,” he said. “But it’s not as easy to do it as to say.”
2. Caroline Wozniacki is bowing out with no regrets
Two years on from her sole Grand Slam triumph, in a marathon grind over Simona Halep, Wozniacki is calling it a career at age 29.
“I’m sure once the last ball is hit, it’s going to be a bit emotional,” said the former No.1, ahead of her 51st and last Grand Slam. “But I’m ready to start a new chapter in my life. Honestly, I’m leaving with no regrets at all because I’ve worked so hard my whole life, my whole career. I’ve given it literally everything.”
3. Naomi Osaka sees future rivals as ‘a blessing’
The defending champion agrees with pundits who would like to see the WTA’s young chargers clash more often. “Isn’t it just more fun?” elaborated Osaka, in her kooky-cool way, on welcoming rivalry.
Fellow reigning major winner and world No.1 Ash Barty may one day fit the bill as a bona-fide rival. But not yet; they’ve split just four meetings over six years.
How about Bianca Andreescu, the teenager who succeeded her as US Open champion? Osaka eked out their only clash en route to the Beijing title.
“Oh, man. The whole match was too hard. I don’t want to do it again,” Osaka protested.
What was that about wanting a rivalry?
4. Stefanos Tsitsipas was embarrassed at his ATP Cup meltdown
Tsitsipas is a big favourite at Melbourne Park, site of his best major performance as swashbuckling semifinalist last January. But he admits the replay of his ATP Cup outburst in Brisbane was uncomfortable viewing.
“I was really embarrassed to see myself in such [a] situation,” he dolefully admitted.
Tsitsipas believes keeping an even emotional keel is key to his improvement.
“I found more balance,” said the 194cm shotmaker on the biggest change in him over the last year. “Before, I was very inconsistent with my emotions. I’ve been really working on this. I think being balanced in my head will help me.”
5. Roger Federer is not talking up his chances
After addressing climate change, air quality, leadership from the top players, the comeback prospects of Kim Clijsters and recognition of Margaret Court’s 50th anniversary Grand Slam, Federer felt the need to move things along.
“I’m playing Steve Johnson, by the way, for those who care,” he cracked.
The 20-time major winner and six-time AO champion is coming in without a lead-up event, bypassing the ATP Cup which has replaced his former preferred tune-ups at the Hopman Cup and Brisbane International.
“My expectations are quite low,” said the No.3 seed, who won his last major here in 2018. “Had plenty of time to pace myself and do all the things I had to do to get ready. I hope it’s enough.”
6. Dominic Thiem is not playing the Olympics
An inquiry into Thiem’s claycourt itinerary was a head-scratcher – until it dawned that the dirt demon is bypassing the Tokyo Olympics in favour of playing Hamburg, Gstaad and Kitzbuhel at home in Austria.
“I decided when I went last year to play Kitzbuhel instead of the Olympics,” confirmed the world No.5. “It’s an easy decision to play Gstaad. I won the title there in 2015. Anyone who has been to Gstaad, it’s a freaking amazing place.”
7. Petra Kvitova’s loss in last year’s final lingered
“It’s been very painful for me to [lose] that final,” admitted the Czech, pipped 7-6(2) 5-7 6-4 in the compelling 2019 decider by Osaka. “Definitely stayed longer than I would like, for sure. It’s [taken] me a while to get over the loss.”
The perennial sportsmanship winner of the women’s game has plenty of healthy perspective; the defeat last January “didn’t really …. take any of the magic” of a return to Grand Slam final contention after nearly five years, and just two years since an armed intruder slashed her left hand, putting the dual Wimbledon champion’s entire playing future in doubt.
8. Nick Kyrgios is playing for something bigger than himself
Few if any players have been more emotionally affected by the bushfire crisis than Kyrgios, who sparked the player involvement that led to Aces4BushfireRelief and last Wednesday night’s AO Rally for Relief at Rod Laver Arena that raised $5 million.
“I guess my mind is still not completely on the tennis side of things,” Kyrgios admitted on Saturday. “The fires, yeah, people are losing their families, homes. It’s not easy to just completely switch your concentration on the Australian Open – ‘How is your forehand going today?’ – when you put it in perspective of what is actually going on.”
But as he’s shown in team events, most recently Australia’s thrilling semifinal finish in the ATP Cup, Kyrgios excels when he’s playing for something bigger. “I think when I’m playing at the moment, I’m playing for a lot more than myself.”
9. Novak Djokovic can see Next Gen coming
The Big Three – Roger, Rafa and Novak – continue to dominate the majors and lift the ceiling on what we thought was possible for athletes on the wrong side of 30. But defending champion Djokovic, record seven-time champion at Melbourne Park, thinks the young thrusters are at the ramparts.
“They’re very, very close,” he said. “Medvedev had a great fight with Rafa in the last Grand Slam of last season. Tstsipas played semis here last year. Thiem twice [in] finals in French Open. They’re literally one set away. On any given day, in the near future, I think that can happen. It’s going to happen; it’s inevitable.”
10. Ash Barty doesn’t like seeing her face all over the place
“Yeah, my face is everywhere, isn’t it?” the world No.1 local said, of life as the top seed at her home Grand Slam. “I’m a bit sick of it to be honest.”
The Queenslander had to endure her visage in hometown Brisbane, then Adelaide, where she won her first title on home soil, and now Melbourne. Why such a packed schedule, when many top players elect not to play the week before a major?
“I’m trying to make the most of an opportunity to play in Australia,” Barty replied. “I love playing in Australia. I love playing in front of the Australian public. For me, it wouldn’t really make sense not to make the most of that.”