CHAPTERS

The story starts here” was the intriguing tagline of Australian Open 2023 – proving remarkably apt as spectacular narratives unfolded at the seasonopening Slam. New champions were crowned, tournament records smashed and within individual match wins and career-best performances, there were legendary tales that will be told and retold for years.

Aryna Sabalenka’s rise to a rst Grand Slam title featured drama, suspense, courage and most poignantly, triumph over di cult circumstances. Three years ago, Sabalenka arrived in Melbourne a er the sudden death of her beloved father, Sergey, in the oseason and the heartbroken world No.12 didn’t progress beyond the rst round. In 2022, the Belarusian was battling the ba ing serving woes that almost ended her coaching relationship with Anton Dubrov.

But at AO 2023, Sabalenka’s form challenges were well and truly behind her – and so too were any associated

“At this stage of my career, these trophies are the biggest motivational factor of why I still compete,” said Djokovic, who was also reinstated as world No.1. “I never really liked comparing myself to others, but of course it’s a privilege to be part of the discussion as one of the greatest players of all time.”

As new heroes emerged, a rst Australian Open trophy was equally profound. “We only won eight or nine matches on the ATP Tour before,” said an almost disbelieving Jason Kubler a er he had combined with countryman Rinky Hijikata to become the 14th all-Australian duo crowned as men’s doubles champions. “Now we have a Grand Slam title … For me, I didn’t know if that was ever going to come true. For Rinky to be (age) 21, have a Grand Slam under his belt already, it’s pretty exciting.”

And as Sam Stosur would happily relate, it creates a legacy that can endure beyond their playing careers. In her 21st Australian Open mental struggles as she became the 28th woman of the Open era to lift the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup. “I’ve been through a lot of tough moments in the last year. They always say that everyone happens for a reason and I couldn’t understand what was the reason … right now, sitting here, I have this understanding. Now I got it,” Sabalenka said. “I think I wouldn’t win a Grand Slam without that situation.” appearance, Stosur contested her last professional matches in the doubles events. As the only Australian player of the past four decades to win Grand Slam titles in all disciplines (her eight Slams in total coming in singles, doubles and mixed doubles), emotion for the legendary Stosur could be of the happy kind. A champion completely at peace with everything the sport had given her and everything she had given back, Stosur was already contemplating her next steps in tennis.

For Novak Djokovic, an epic Australian Open story has become tennis folklore. Fi een years since the Serbian, then aged 20, li ed his rst major trophy in Melbourne, he became a record-breaking 22-time Grand Slam champion. Within that lo y number –equalled only throughout men’s tennis history by Rafael Nadal – Djokovic extended his record Australian Open title count to 10.

The many life-changing stories that started at the Australian Open set the scene for brilliant new chapters. There’s excitement aplenty for the season – and years – ahead.

Vivienne Christie editor@tennismag.com.au