EIGHT IS GREAT
2020 AUSTRALIAN OPEN REVIEW
SOFIA KENIN GRAND SLAM SURPRISE
ADVANTAGE AUSTRALIA BARTY ALCOTT KYRGIOS SAVILLE PURCELL GAME CHANGERSS CHANGER NEW BEGINNINGS FOND FAREWELLS
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contents FEBRUARY / MARCH 2020 VOL.45 NO.1
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KENIN CRASHES THE PARTY Overlooked American Sofia Kenin emerged the shock winner of the Australian Open, marking the eighth first-time champion in the past 12 majors.
FEATURES 26 DYLAN’S DREAM
52 THE KYRGIOS QUEST
With a sixth Australian Open trophy happily in hand, the high-energy Dylan Alcott quickly turned his attention to seizing a Golden Grand Slam.
Leading a collective mission to support bushfire relief efforts, an impassioned Nick Kyrgios thrived with new purpose.
28 MAJOR MOVES
Kimberly Birrell discovered many important lessons when she took on media and mentoring roles while sidelined with injury this summer.
Following a first Grand Slam final, all-Australian doubles duo Max Purcell and Luke Saville have more success in their sights.
38 A FOND FAREWELL
Tears flowed as former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki ended her career at Australian Open 2020.
42 TEEN QUEEN
With the determinination to match her prodigious talent, teen star Coco Gauff is rising fast.
49 EMBRACING THE PRESSURE In a career-best Australian summer, Ash Barty proved even world No.1s never stop learning and growing.
57 LIFE WITHOUT A SCOREBOARD
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EIGHT IS GREAT
With a record-extending eighth Australian Open title, Novak Djokovic returned to No.1 and reignited the greatest-ever debate.
FEBRAURY / MARCH 2020 VOL.45 NO.1
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A MEMORABLE DECADE A look back at some of the defining moments and results of a memorable decade.
REGULARS 8 72 76 79 82
FIRST SERVE FAN ZONE BREAKPOINTS IN THE SPOTLIGHT RANKINGS
84 86 88 90
SCOREBOARD FROM THE ARCHIVES KIDS’ CLUB LAST WORD
EDITOR Vivienne Christie ASSOCIATE EDITOR Leigh Rogers FOUNDING EDITOR Alan Trengove ART DIRECTOR Andrea Williamson DESIGNER David Capriotti
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GAME CHANGERS
As single-minded stars take their own path to success, the once-ina-generation pros are establishing a course that many others will dream to follow. 6
AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE
PHOTOGRAPHS Getty Images John Anthony COVER PHOTO Getty Images COVER DESIGN & PHOTO EDITING Andrew Hutchison AFL Media
Australian Tennis Magazine is published by TENNIS AUSTRALIA LTD, Private Bag 6060, Richmond, Vic 3121. Ph: (03) 9914 4200 Email: editor@tennismag.com.au Distributed by Network Distribution Company Printed in Australia by Webstar The views expressed in Australian Tennis Magazine are not necessarily those held by Tennis Australia. While the utmost care is taken in compiling the information contained in this publication, Tennis Australia is not responsible for any loss or injury occurring as a result of any omissions in either the editorial or advertising appearing herein.
FIRST SERVE
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Grand Slam Heroes
hile every Grand Slam produces superstar performances, “heroes” took on new meaning at Australian Open 2020. Contested during one of the most difficult periods of Australia’s recent history as bushfires ravaged many parts of the nation, the tennis community responded superbly. United by a cause far bigger than winning individual titles, players pledged their generous support with both time and money. Tournaments and organisations were equally giving, while initiatives including Aces for Bushfire Relief and the Rally for Relief event ahead of the Australian Open enabled fans to build on tremendous fundraising efforts. “I think when I’m playing, at the moment I’m playing for a lot more than myself,” explained Nick Kyrgios, who mobilised many other players when he became the first to pledge a donation for each ace he served throughout the Australian summer.
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“I feel like I’m getting the best out of myself with that. I think a lot of tennis players right now are understanding that.” As competition kicked in at the Happy Slam, heart became evident in other ways. Many Australians celebrated careerbest performances, some contesting or winning their first Grand Slam matches and others returning to the form that’s made them firm fan favourites. A string of five-set exits – including John Millman’s bittersweet third-round loss to Roger Federer and Alex Bolt pushing eventual finalist Dominic Thiem in the second round – highlighted the passion that exists at their home major. For Ash Barty, who followed her first title on home soil in Adelaide with a career-best semifinal in Melbourne, positivity was equally notable. “I’ve loved every minute of playing in Australia over the last month,” said the world No.1 after exiting to Sofia Kenin. “I’ve learnt from all of the experiences that I’ve been thrown into.”
As the Australian Open lifted spirits amid the difficult summer, it also showed a global audience that the nation was still very much open for business– a message that was reinforced with an historic name change to “Australia Is Open” in the second week of the tournament. Promoting positive messages as they rose to the most difficult challenges were also powerful themes for the 2020 champions. “My dream has officially come true,” beamed Sofia Kenin, who at age 20 was the youngest woman to lift the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup since Maria Sharapova 12 years earlier. “I cannot even describe this feeling. It’s so emotional and I’ve worked so hard. I’m just so grateful to be standing here. Dreams come true, so if you have a dream go for it.” Novak Djokovic, etched further into Australian Open history books with a recordextending eighth title, was equally emotional as he called for kindness and understanding amid some difficult periods.
“There were some devastating things that started 2020 with huge bushfires here in Australia,” said the Serb, also referencing global conflicts and the tragic death of Kobe Bryant, whom he described as a mentor. “This is a reminder that we should stick together more than ever now. Be with our families, stay close to the people that love you, that care about you. “Of course, we are part of the professional sport – we try our best, we compete (but) obviously there are more important things in life and it’s important to be conscious and humble about things that are happening around you.” It was fitting that such perspective should come from the Australian Open’s most prolific men’s champion. While there’s never been a more accomplished competitor, there’s also never been a better understanding of the bigger picture at such a key time. Vivienne Christie editor@tennismag.com.au
AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2020
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power
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pla t for m
As a record crowd witnessed stunning major breakthroughs and epic feats at Australian Open 2020, the stars served a reminder of the sport’s incredible ability to inspire.
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HOLD ON HISTORY: Dominic Thiem (right) challenged the established order, before a determined Novak Djokovic extended his Melbourne reign. 14
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AUSTRALIAN OPEN
The first man to win Grand Slam titles across three decades, Novak Djokovic seized an eighth Australian Open title and 17th major overall to soar back to the top of the men’s game. As ALEX SHARP reports, his record-extending feat reignites the greatest-ever debate.
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lutching the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup once again seemed almost routine for Novak Djokovic. The Serb knew where to stand for photographs, where to look, when to step up to speak into the microphone during the trophy presentation, the 32-year-old later meandering through his plethora of press duties with aplomb. “This is defi nitely my favourite court, my favourite stadium in the world and I’m blessed to hold this trophy once again,” a grateful Djokovic said. Australian Open champion for a record-extending eighth time is a staggering accomplishment, enhancing the 17-time major winner’s case in the ‘greatest of all time’ debate. Take the number eight. Djokovic has ruled Melbourne Park the same number of times that the likes of likes legends Andre Agassi, Ivan Lendl, Jimmy Connors, Ken Rosewall and Fred Perry tasted glory across all Slams.
Djokovic celebrated his latest Australian triumph by hitting the slopes for a bit of skiing at Val Gardena, Italy – which was rather apt since the Serb has now returned to the tennis peak, replacing Rafael Nadal as world No.1. However, at the end of 2019 it was meant to be so different. Stefanos Tsitsipas was heralded the ATP Finals champion following a captivating tussle with Dominic Thiem. Earlier, Daniil Medvedev had pushed Nadal to the limit in the US Open final, adding to a real sense on tour that the Next Gen could budge past the ‘Big Three’ in Melbourne. Well, not quite …
LEGENDARY TRIUMVIRATE The Australian Open fortnight was bursting with storylines – ranging from compelling comebacks to breakout wins – but as the men’s quarterfi nals
loomed, so too did the legendary triumvirate. Djokovic earned the 900th tour-level victory of his career against Jan-Lennard Struff to clear the opening hurdle and scooted past Tatsumo Ito, Yoshihito Nishioka and Diego Schwartzman, before swatting aside former semifi nalist Milos Raonic in straight sets to book his ticket into the fi nal four. With a physically hampered Federer dismissed in the semifinals, Djokovic had earned his place in an eighth Australian Open trophy showdown with the loss of just one set. He faced a far different scenario against an inspired Thiem, who drew on the hard-gained experience from two Roland Garros finals and his fast-improving hard court form to quickly seize control. Seven times the Serbian has trailed his opponent by two sets to one in a Grand Slam AUSTRALIAN TENNIS MAGAZINE
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AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Overlooked American Sofia Kenin emerged the shock winner of an Australian Open headlined by world No.1 Ash Barty, marking the eighth first-time champion in the last 12 majors. SUZI PETKOVSKI reports
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id we really, totally ignore Sofia Kenin? All the talk ahead of Australian Open 2020 centred on No.1 Ash Barty’s chances of breaking the 42-year Aussie drought of local champions; Serena Williams still striving at age 38 for Margaret Court’s all-time mark of 24 singles majors; Naomi Osaka’s trials in a challenging title defence. And tissues and tributes at the ready for former champion Caroline Wozniacki in her farewell tournament. Sorry, Sofia! Never again will the combative Kenin ghost through a Grand Slam, following her steely 4-6 6-2 6-2 title win over Garbine Muguruza, in the final no pundit predicted. “My dream officially came true,” said the 21-year-old
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Russian-born American, armed with a star-spangled racquet. “I am so emotional. I have worked so hard. These have been the best two weeks of my life.” The clutch game that won Kenin the title is already tennis lore. Down 0-40 on serve at two-all in the final set, no-fear Sofia reeled off five straight winners including an ace. It was the unmistakable mark of a Grand Slam champion. She would not lose another game. “At important moments,” acknowledged a downcast Muguruza, “I didn’t find my shots and she found hers.” The final was not technically an upset, with Kenin seeded No.14 and dual major winner Muguruza ranked at No.32 following two seasons in the wilderness.
But in every significant way, Kenin upset the apple cart. She left Melbourne Park the new world No.7 and new top American, displacing Serena Williams. In the semifinals she toppled No.1 Barty in two taut sets, denying the Aussie fairytale. Kenin is the eighth maiden major winner from the past 12 Grand Slams, the youngest Melbourne Park champion since Maria Sharapova in 2008. Like Sharapova, her fading idol (a first-round loser here as a wildcard ranked No.145), Kenin is above all else a maniacal competitor. At 170cm, medium-sized and medium-paced, her outwardly innocuous game is fired by a barely contained impatience and lust for the contest – the hotter the better.
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FEATURE
Embracing t he
PRESSURE In a career-best Australian summer, Ash Barty proved even world No.1s never stop learning and growing. By LEIGH ROGERS
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sh Barty could not escape the spotlight this summer. Fans were excited to see the world No.1 in action, packing stadiums and practice courts to show their support. She dominated media headlines and featured in multiple advertising campaigns too. “My face is everywhere a little bit, isn’t it? I’m a bit sick of it to be honest,” Barty laughed to reporters as she arrived at the Australian Open. Yet Barty embraced her growing role model status. “The love and the support I’ve received from people all over Australia, in particular kids, it brings a smile to my face every single day when kids come up and just want to have a chat. It’s amazing,” she said. After an opening-round exit to American qualifier Jennifer Brady at the Brisbane International to begin the new season, the 23-year-old bounced back strongly to claim the inaugural Adelaide International and become the fi rst Aussie woman to win a WTA singles title on home soil in nine years. It added to the expectations mounting on Barty, who entered the Australian Open as the fi rst top-seeded local woman since her idol Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1977.
Still, the 23-year-old was adamant there was no extra pressure. “I don’t read the papers. I don’t look into (it) any more than I need to. I’m here with my team trying to do the best that we can. It’s amazing to have so much support and so much love from the Australian public. I’ve really felt that in an exceptional way over the last 12 months. It’s been incredible. Just pretty excited to get started,” she said. “I think that the best part about our sport is that there are no certainties, no guarantees. You have to be ready on the day, you have to compete your hardest and try to be the better player on that day. That’s the challenge. That’s what I’m looking forward to.” If the world No.1 was feeling pressure, it did not show as she progressed through the tournament. “I think it’s important to enjoy it. It’s important to embrace it, enjoy everything that comes