Italians are “very touchy people”,according to Jannik Sinner’s coach Darren Cahill,so there were plenty of hugs,but also a few choice words in the players box.
From local hope Alex de Minaur to China’s rising star Zheng Qinwen and everyone and everything in between,these were the highlights and talking points of the 2024 Australian Open.
The Davis Cup captain says there is huge upside for the Australian despite losing to Andrey Rublev in his home grand slam. Another former great urged de Minaur to take more risks on his serve.
The similarities were uncanny and impossible to ignore as Lleyton Hewitt’s 15-year-old son Cruz made his debut in the junior tournament at the Australian Open.
He’s the first Australian man in two decades to break into the world’s top 10. It started with a decision 12 years ago that brought tears to his eyes.
Tennis:Australian Open preview magazine
Most of the Aussie men now in the world’s top 100 players are not household names – but someone who is helped them rise up the ranks.
Charlie Camus was once one of Australia’s brightest tennis prospects,but he will now represent France after receiving a better offer from the rival federation.
Willy Wonka gave out Golden Tickets,but we’ve handed out Magic Tickets to give our journalists the Christmas gift of a free pass to any sporting event ever held in Sydney.
Lleyton Hewitt says he is sick of playing on the surface used for the Davis Cup in Malaga,continuing to rail against the homogenised format after Australia’s defeat to Italy in the final.
Australia has a proud tradition in the Davis Cup,but hasn’t won the title for 20 years. In the early hours of Monday morning Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin can end the drought.