1. Osaka does questions in Japanese, but not answers
Though she was born in Japan (in namesake city Osaka), has a Japanese mother and understands the language, Naomi Osaka is too self-conscious of her spoken Japanese to conduct press conferences in her native tongue.
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So after the English-speaking press is done, Japan’s No.1 takes questions from Japanese media, but replies in English.
In the presser following her comeback win over Hsieh Su-Wei on Saturday, a reporter who wasn’t with the program fired off a question in English. The moderator interjected with “Japanese questions only”. Added Osaka, cracking up the room: “Uhm, maybe if you ask the question in Japanese.”
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2. Serena is an honorary Armenian
Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, is Armenian on his paternal side. After her win Saturday over Dayana Yastremska, Serena spoke of learning more about Armenian culture and expressed an interest in visiting the Caucasus nation.
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“I’m learning a little bit as time goes on,” she said. “Alexis was talking about how Armenians are, the culture, lots of self-made business people. It’s fun, it’s interesting. I feel like I’m an honorary Armenian because of my husband and daughter.”
The large Armenian diaspora in America has embraced Serena, who married 35-year-old Ohanian in November 2017, after the arrival of daughter Alexis Olympia.
“Everyone I see that is Armenian is super proud of me. It’s like, ‘Wow, this is kind of cool.’ It’s really always good to learn about new and different cultures.”
The biggest Armenian name in tennis is Andre Agassi, though Olympia Ohanian may one day have some say in that.
3. Leander Paes is playing the long game
Roger Federer is playing a record-equaling 20th Australian Open in singles. Pffft. Leander Paes is into his his 25th Melbourne Park campaign. The 45-year-old Indian was the junior finalist in his 1990 debut, when the home of the AO was still Flinders Park.
He won the doubles here in 2012 with Radek Stepanek, competing a career Grand Slam of men’s doubles. He’s collected three mixed doubles titles in Melbourne, winning with the two Martinas – Navratilova in 2003 and Hingis in 2015 – and Cara Black in 2010.
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Federer joked about being a mixed specialist as the first man to win Hopman Cup three times. Paes is the real thing, with 10 mixed majors.
Wildcards Paes and Sam Stosur opened their mixed campaign on Saturday with a win over Kveta Peschke and Wesley Koolhoof.
4. Eight goes into one
World No.1 Simona Halep struggled through three-setters against Kaia Kanepi and Sofia Kenin, but put in a Saturday-night special against Venus Williams, winning 6-2 6-3. The Romanian will need to beat both Williams sisters on the road to the title; Serena awaits in a blockbuster fourth round. Reigning No.1 versus No.1 (arguably) of all-time.
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Halep will hold top spot till at least the end of the tournament, her 64-week reign putting her at No.10 for longest-ruling No.1s. But all bets are off after Melbourne.
Coming into the Australian Open, no less than 11 women were eyeing the penthouse. Midway through the tournament, the contenders now number eight, including Halep.
Karolina Pliskova and Elina Svitolina need to make the final to have a shot at No.1, Angie Kerber needs to return to the semifinals, and Sloane Stephens, Osaka and Petra Kvitova could reach the top with a quarterfinal finish.
5. Zverev has some body image issues
More body talk from Alex Zverev (“My body is close to perfection”) following his Saturday night win over Alex Bolt. The world No.4 and next gen leader expressed mock disappointment that trainer Jez Green, who helped turn Andy Murray into a physical beast, hasn’t done the same for him, though the 21-year-old has added 15kg to his lanky frame.
“When [Green] started working with Andy, he became one of the strongest dudes on tour. I’m still the skinny dude on tour,” the German said in a hilarious, self-deprecating post-match interview. “I have been called asparagus a few times.”
