Australian Open

Iga Swiatek kicks off her Australian Open campaign with a slightly unconvincing victory against tricky Jule Niemeier I Jessica Pegula, Victoria Azarenka, ...

It's high pressure so I still feel nervous." Pegula, whose parents own the NFL team Buffalo Bills, wrote "Go Bills! Niemeier was a surprise quarter-finalist at Wimbledon last summer and also took a set off Swiatek in the fourth round of the US Open.

Nick Kyrgios pulled out of the Australian Open before his first-round singles match because of an injured left knee that needs arthroscopic surgery.

Yeah, the only real way to get rid of it is to open up and then just get rid of it.” Maher said that an MRI exam after Kyrgios felt discomfort in his knee revealed a cyst and a small tear in the lateral meniscus ligament. I’ve had some great memories here — obviously last year, winning the title in doubles and playing the best tennis of my life, probably. Then going into this event as one of the favorites, it’s brutal,” Kyrgios said. “One of the most important tournaments of my career. Obviously pretty brutal,” Kyrgios said of the decision to sit out.

The Australian Open had barely begun by the time it lost one of its protagonists, as Nick Kyrgios withdrew from the tournament early on Monday morning.

She lost 7-5 6-2 in an hours and 20 minutes in the first round proper. [withdrew from the tournament because of a knee injury](/sport/tennis/article-11639285/Nick-Kyrgios-sensationally-withdraws-Australian-Open-knee-injury.html), just a day before he was due to play his first-round match against Roman Safiullin. Novak Djokovic’s hamstring remains the subject of speculation. With Kyrgios out of the picture, [concerns continue to linger over the fitness of Novak Djokovic](/sport/tennis/article-11639453/Novak-Djokovics-Australian-Open-practice-session-Monday-CANCELLED.html), who cancelled a practice session for the second day in a row. [Nick Kyrgios pulled out of the Australian Open with a knee injury on Monday](/sport/tennis/article-11639665/The-moment-Nick-Kyrgios-physiotherapist-decided-pull-Australian-Open.html) [Novak Djokovic is still dealing with a hamstring injury but is expected to play](/sport/tennis/article-11639453/Novak-Djokovics-Australian-Open-practice-session-Monday-CANCELLED.html) [Emma Raducanu will play Coco Gauff in the second round in Melbourne](/sport/tennis/article-11638935/Emma-Raducanu-face-Coco-Gauff-beating-Tamara-Korpatsch-begin-Australian-Open-campaign.html)

Nick Kyrgios' withdrawal from the 2023 Australian Open is not only a big blow for the tournament, but also fans and pundits.

[Australian Open](https://www.tennis365.com/category/australian-open/) “His mind is that of a complete computer and genius on a tennis court. [News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/news/) We’re talking about someone who has only come close one time. [Live Tennis](https://www.tennis365.com/category/live-tennis/) “Yes, he went through at Wimbledon but he didn’t have to play the semis. Nevertheless, it is of course very bitter to have to pull out of your home Grand Slam before the first round due to an injury. It’s a pity for all of us.” [discovery+](https://www.discoveryplus.com/gb/sport/tennis/australian-open?utm_campaign=UK-EU-D1-WBD-C11-PR-CAM-AW-W-Tennis-AustralianOpen-221221-NA&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pr.com&utm_content=text-paid-prcom-id1) and Eurosport At some point, maybe. “Will he ever be a favourite?

The world No 1 says she feels the expectation as she prepares to face Camila Osorio in the second round.

As I said, every match is a different story, every season is different.” After a season that included two grand slam titles, eight titles overall, a 37-match winning streak and nine months at No 1, she returns to Australia as the heavy favourite to win the title. But, yeah, for sure working with Tomas, I don’t know, I just felt like I can be more aggressive on hard court, I don’t have to be the baseline player.” Ranked only ninth, she reached the semi-finals and it set the tone for the rest of the year. “I knew that I could get my focus up a little bit, the intensity a little bit more. She had started the season feeling out her partnership with her new coach Tomasz Wiktorowski and she had not fully bought into her potential on hard courts – she still felt so much more comfortable on clay.

You never know what you will get with Kyrgios, but 11th-hour withdrawals have become a theme of his non-existent 2023 season. It started with the United Cup, ...

That in itself was a bit arrogant, but it is partly why the John Cain Arena would have been full to the brim on Tuesday had he opened his campaign against Roman Safiullin as scheduled. Until he suddenly stops still, cracks a grin and gives us the finger. Twelve months later, he is the world No 21 and nothing has changed. “That was more of a realistic hit of the intensity that was coming. Perhaps because it is Kyrgios, the authenticity of the injury was treated with suspicion, to the point that his manager, Daniel Horsfall, hoped the doubters “now realise the injury is genuine”. Kyrgios was the box-office entry, especially given his [2022 doubles exploits alongside Kokkinakis](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jan/29/kyrgios-and-kokkinakis-secure-doubles-title-to-end-remarkable-australian-open-journey) and his singles form. It was easier to make the call today.” [ Djokovic deportation saga](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jan/16/novak-djokovic-to-be-deported-from-australia-after-losing-appeal-against-visa-cancellation). They had used the exhibition match against Novak Djokovic on Friday night as a fitness gauge; he “didn’t pull up great” and became more sore with each training session thereafter. [Nick Kyrgios](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/nick-kyrgios) was due to play his opening match and three minutes before he confirmed he would not. Maher did a good chunk of the talking, too. But this time there was no room for doubt because Kyrgios had brought with him a press conference chaperone – his physiotherapist.

Tuesday's action in Melbourne features Matteo Berrettini, Andy Murray, Andrey Rublev, Dominic Thiem and Novak Djokovic.

[US Open](https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/us-open/560/overview) and 2013 [Wimbledon](https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/wimbledon/540/overview). [US Open](https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/us-open/560/overview). The 25-year-old opens against [Nikoloz Basilashvili](https://www.atptour.com/en/players/nikoloz-basilashvili/bg23/overview). [Andrey Rublev](https://www.atptour.com/en/players/andrey-rublev/re44/overview) vs. The 26-year-old faces [Fabio Fognini](https://www.atptour.com/en/players/fabio-fognini/f510/overview) in what is set to be an entertaining clash on Kia Arena. [Holger Rune](https://www.atptour.com/en/players/holger-rune/r0dg/overview) break the Top 10 of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for the first time, but the 19-year-old Dane will want to bounce back from first-round defeat in Adelaide two weeks ago in his first-round clash against [Filip Krajinovic](https://www.atptour.com/en/players/filip-krajinovic/kb05/overview). [Matteo Berrettini](https://www.atptour.com/en/players/matteo-berrettini/bk40/overview) (ITA) vs. Can he spring a historic surprise Monday on [Rod Laver](https://www.atptour.com/en/players/rod-laver/l058/overview) Arena? [Australian Open](https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/australian-open/580/overview) champion Djokovic’s bid for a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title begins on [Rod Laver](https://www.atptour.com/en/players/rod-laver/l058/overview) Arena against the World No. [Casper Ruud](https://www.atptour.com/en/players/casper-ruud/rh16/overview) can become World No. [View Singles Draw](https://www.atptour.com/en/scores/current/australian-open/580/draws) [Australian Open](https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/australian-open/580/overview), with a full slate of marquee matchups and star names on Melbourne's Day 2 schedule.

The flag was seen during the first-round match between Ukraine's Kateryna Baindl and Russia's Kamilla Rakhimova in Melbourne. In light of the war in Ukraine, ...

[later responded](https://cnn.com/2022/05/20/tennis/wimbledon-ranking-points-removed-wta-atp-itf-spt-intl/index.html) by stripping Wimbledon of ranking points in the face of what they deemed “discrimination” towards Russian and Belarusian players. [Wimbledon organizers banned Russian and Belarusian athletes](https://cnn.com/2022/04/20/tennis/kremlin-wimbledon-russian-players-ban-spt-intl/index.html) from competing in the tournament in the face of “unjustified and unprecedented military aggression,” according to a statement released in April. “I strongly condemn the public display of the Russian flag during the game of the Ukrainian tennis player Kateryna Baindl at the Australian Open today,” Vasyl Myroshnychenko

Novak Djokovic is the odds on favorite for the men's title at the Australian Open this year and he will begin the tournament against Spain's Roberto ...

From 7pm ET From 3am ET Not before 1am ET Not before 3am ET Not before 9pm ET

Tennis Australia banned Russian and Belarusian flags at the Australian Open after a Russian flag was hung behind Court 14 during the first-round match ...

"I call on Tennis Australia to immediately enforce its "neutral flag" policy." I call on Tennis Australia to immediately enforce its "neutral flag" policy.— Vasyl Myroshnychenko (@AmbVasyl) "I barely say 'hi' to them. The red, white and blue-striped Russian flag was hung on a fence behind Court 14 on Monday afternoon at Melbourne Park. "Flags from Russia and Belarus are banned onsite at the Australian Open," Tennis Australia said in a statement Tuesday. "The ban is effective immediately.

Move comes after fan displays Russian flag during Kamilla Rakhimova's first-round match against Ukraine's Kateryna Baindl on Monday.

Russian and Belarusian players were banned from taking part in last year’s Wimbledon tournament as global sporting sanctions were brought against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. We will continue to work with the players and our fans to ensure the best possible environment to enjoy the tennis.” Fans had initially been allowed to show their support for players from both countries, but not in a way that “could cause disruption”, according to Tennis Australia (TA).

Organisers announced the flags would be banned, effective immediately, after a courtside incident.

It's been enabled and supported by Belarus." The WTA said equal opportunities for players to compete as individuals had to be protected. Russian and Belarusian flags have been banned from the Australian Open tennis tournament after a courtside incident.

The red, white and blue stripes of Russia were seen Monday during a first-round clash between Ukraine's Kateryna Baindl and Russia's Kamilla Rakhimova on ...

By Josh Alston For Daily Mail Australia · Rafael Nadal · Novak Djokovic · Iga Swiatek · Holger Rune · Naomi Osaka · Carlos Alcaraz.

But the correct way to say his name is AL-CAH-RATH. Holger Vitus Nødskov Rune has been ranked as high as No.10 in the world and the Danish star will be looking for a big year on tour in 2023. In the proper Serbian language, his name is pronounced JOE-KO-VITCH. But that's not how the name is pronounced in his native Spanish. There are actually two different ways to say her name, the traditional Polish way [Słitek], or the English way. However, over time, it has become acceptable for commentators and sports fans to pronounce his full name Rafael incorrectly.

World number six Andrey Rublev scored a 6-3 6-4 6-2 win over 2020 finalist Dominic Thiem in just over two hours to earn his first win of the season. "I know ...

[read more](/lifestyle/sports/swiatek-quells-niemeier-challenge-testing-opener-2023-01-16/) [read more](/lifestyle/sports/rybakina-has-no-problem-being-away-australian-open-spotlight-2023-01-16/) "I know that he's going through not easy times ...

Play has been suspended on the outside courts at the Australian Open Tuesday afternoon when the AO Heat Stress Scale reached 5.

Once that decision is made, players will be given at least 30 minutes’ notice before play resumes. Outdoor matches will be called at 4:50 p.m. Play continued until the end of an even number of games or the completion of a tie-break.

With the temperature into the mid-30s, the tournament's heat stress scale, which also takes into account humidity and wind speed, hit five just after 2pm, ...

[Australian Open](https://www.tennis365.com/category/australian-open/) This means play continues until the end of an even number of games or the completion of a tie break. [News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/news/) Play on outdoor practice courts is also suspended. “This means play continues until the end of an even number of games or the completion of a tie break. [Live Tennis](https://www.tennis365.com/category/live-tennis/) “At 1:12pm the AO Heat Stress Scale reached 4 and the heat policy came into play,” the initial statement read. Play on outdoor practice courts is also suspended.”

Scorching heat halted outdoor matches and sent fans scurrying for shade at the Australian Open on Tuesday as players were given an early test of their ...

It was nice to be able to walk in the shadow a little bit when you were able to serve but I didn't feel that (it was) such warm weather," Garcia said. Obviously it was warm. Register for free to Reuters and know the full story Extreme heat is a feature of the Australian Open, held in mid-summer in the country, with play occasionally suspended and leaving organisers with scheduling headaches. The temperature was already nudging 30 degrees Celsius when matches started in the morning, and Canada's Leylah Fernandez was glad to see off French veteran Alize Cornet in straight sets in the first match on Court 3. MELBOURNE, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Scorching heat halted outdoor matches and sent fans scurrying for shade at the Australian Open on Tuesday before resuming late in the afternoon as players were given an early test of their endurance on a sweltering day two at Melbourne Park.

Nick Kyrgios' withdrawal from the 2023 Australian Open "took the air out of the building", but John McEnroe hopes the Australian "takes something positive ...

[Australian Open](https://www.tennis365.com/category/australian-open/) [News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/news/) [Live Tennis](https://www.tennis365.com/category/live-tennis/) [Eurosport](https://www.eurosport.co.uk/tennis/australian-open/2023/nick-kyrgios-injury-a-total-bummer-that-took-air-out-of-the-building-at-australian-open-john-mcenroe_sto9325138/story.shtml).

Oppressive heat brought much of the Australian Open to a standstill midway through the second day with played halted on all outside courts.

He had lost the first set 6-3 and was leading 3-1 in the second, before securing the second set after play resumed at about 5pm. “This means play continues until the end of an even number of games or the completion of a tie break. Play on outdoor practice courts is also suspended.”

Nick Kyrgios' withdrawal from the 2023 Australian Open "took the air out of the building", but John McEnroe hopes the Australian "takes something positive ...

[Australian Open](https://www.tennis365.com/category/australian-open/) [Live Tennis](https://www.tennis365.com/category/live-tennis/) [News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/news/) [Eurosport](https://www.eurosport.co.uk/tennis/australian-open/2023/nick-kyrgios-injury-a-total-bummer-that-took-air-out-of-the-building-at-australian-open-john-mcenroe_sto9325138/story.shtml).

Ukraine's ambassador criticises display of the Russian flag during Ukrainian player Kateryna Baindl's first round-match.

I call on Tennis Australia to immediately enforce its “neutral flag” policy. I can do nothing.” They did it, what can I do?

MELBOURNE, Australia, Jan 17 - Novak Djokovic returns to Rod Laver Arena to start his Australian Open campaign on Tuesday night, but tennis fans at Get the ...

“I think he’ll get a good reception,” said Connie. And I think that’s a quality that those players have.” So it’s good to have him back.” But I think in terms of what happened last year, it is literally in the past,” added his friend Tom. “Emotionally, he rubs me the wrong way. It’s never going to be close.

Russian flags have been banned at the Australian Open after one was displayed at a match between Russian and Ukrainian players.

[Australian Open](https://www.tennis365.com/category/australian-open/) I can do nothing.” They did it, what can I do? “The ban will be effective immediately. Our initial policy was that fans could bring them in but could not use them to cause disruption. I call on Tennis Australia to immediately enforce its “neutral flag” policy.

Australian Open 2023: The tournament's Heat Stress Scale, which measures radiant heat, humidity and air temperature in the shade, crossed its highest ...

Tennis Australia tweaked its extreme heat policy at the end of 2018 after a slew of players complained of health and safety risks under the previous system. Novak Djokovic begins his charge towards a record-extending 10th Australian Open title in cooler conditions in the evening when he meets Roberto Carballes Baena. The temperature was already nudging 30 degrees Celsius when matches started in the morning, and Canada's Leylah Fernandez was glad to see off French veteran Alize Cornet in straight sets in the first match on Court 3. The suspension of play was not welcomed by all players, with local man Jordan Thompson blowing his cool when his match on Court Three was halted when trailing American J.J. It was nice to be able to walk in the shadow a little bit when you were able to serve but I didn't feel that (it was) such warm weather," Garcia said. Organisers invoked their Extreme Heat Policy about three hours into the day session as temperatures nudged 36 degrees Celsius (97F) and searing gusts of wind blew through the venue.

Ballkids at the Australian Open face sweltering heat, temper tantrums from players, and the chance of being hit by tennis balls travelling more than 200km/h ...

At this year's event Nadal became clearly agitated during his first-round match when he discovered a ballkid had taken one of his rackets. It's an awesome initiative and it's a shame more tournaments don't do the same thing.' Nadal apologised to the kid with a kiss on the cheek and described the moment as 'one of the most scary moments' he'd had on a tennis court.

Russian flags have been banned at the Australian Open after one was displayed at a match between Russian and Ukrainian players.

[Australian Open](https://www.tennis365.com/category/australian-open/) I can do nothing.” They did it, what can I do? “The ban will be effective immediately. Our initial policy was that fans could bring them in but could not use them to cause disruption. I call on Tennis Australia to immediately enforce its “neutral flag” policy.