https://www.scmp.com/rss/323868/feed The Australian Open is staged at Melbourne Park in Melbourne every January. The 2020 winners were Novak Djokovic and Sofia Kenin. Played on a hard court, it is the first of four annual grand slam tournaments, the others being the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Richard Mille is well known for its immersion in the high performance world of top level sport. From the racetrack to the golf course to the tennis court, the groundbreaking Swiss luxury watch company partners with some of the world’s leading athletes, who showcase its commitment to innovation by wearing its timepieces while they do what they do best. Joining their ranks in 2019 was one of the world’s top golfers, Nelly Korda, who has won seven LPGA tour titles and rose to world No 1 in 2021.... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3193420/style-edit-richard-mille-strikes-new-partnership-rising?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3193420/style-edit-richard-mille-strikes-new-partnership-rising?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Sep 2022 02:00:13 +0000 As my British Airways flight was approaching Cape Town last November 25, my neighbour, J.D., said something to me that has stuck to this day. The only unmasked passenger I saw throughout the 12-hour journey, J.D. revealed he didn’t like a mask on his face. Feeling mellow, at heart a libertarian and blissfully unaware South Africa had reported a new coronavirus variant to the World Health Organization the day before, I merely replied that a mask was useful as I was freezing (seated by an... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3163586/djokovic-johnson-hong-kongs-partygate-why-year-youtoo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3163586/djokovic-johnson-hong-kongs-partygate-why-year-youtoo?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Jan 2022 22:45:15 +0000 Tennis world number one Novak Djokovic began a third day in Australian immigration detention on Saturday, joined by Czech women’s player Renata Voracova as a blame game between Australian authorities over handling of Covid-19 vaccine exemptions gathered steam. The Serbian superstar, a vocal opponent of vaccine mandates who came to Australia in hopes of winning his 21st Grand Slam at the Australian Open, has been holed up since Thursday in a modest Melbourne hotel since having his visa cancelled... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3162641/coronavirus-novak-djokovic-begins-3rd-day-detention-australia-hits-100000?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/3162641/coronavirus-novak-djokovic-begins-3rd-day-detention-australia-hits-100000?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 08 Jan 2022 04:36:01 +0000 Novak Djokovic has not withdrawn from the ATP Cup despite claims he was almost sure to do so, Tennis Australia said on Tuesday, as other top players led by Naomi Osaka began arriving ahead of the Australian Open. There has been serious doubt as to whether the men’s world No 1 would travel to Australia, having refused to confirm if he has been vaccinated against the coronavirus. An unnamed member of his team told Serbian newspaper Blic they were “99 per cent” sure he would not play in the ATP... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3161285/vaccinated-or-unvaccinated-novak-djokovic-mystery-deepens-stars-arrive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3161285/vaccinated-or-unvaccinated-novak-djokovic-mystery-deepens-stars-arrive?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Dec 2021 09:22:16 +0000 Russian tennis star Andrey Rublev became the latest player to have played in an Abu Dhabi exhibition tournament earlier this month to test positive for Covid-19 just weeks away from the Australian Open. The 24-year-old world No 5 tweeted he was self-isolating, putting in doubt his place the ATP Cup in Australia, which starts on Saturday. The Australian Open, where Rublev reached the quarter-finals this year, runs from January 17 to 30 in Melbourne. “I am currently in Barcelona and unfortunately... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3161232/coronavirus-andrey-rublev-becomes-sixth-tennis-star-test-positive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3161232/coronavirus-andrey-rublev-becomes-sixth-tennis-star-test-positive?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Dec 2021 04:26:01 +0000 Australian Open chief Craig Tiley said Wednesday he was confident that Rafael Nadal will play in Melbourne despite testing positive for Covid-19, as fresh doubts emerged over Novak Djokovic. Spanish star Nadal said on Monday that he tested positive after returning home from an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi and was experiencing “some unpleasant moments”. While the 20-time grand slam champion said he was examining all his playing commitments, Tiley believes Nadal will be sufficiently... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3160665/australian-open-chief-confident-rafael-nadal-will-play-despite-testing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3160665/australian-open-chief-confident-rafael-nadal-will-play-despite-testing?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Dec 2021 07:15:11 +0000 Ash Barty and Novak Djokovic headline a stellar player field set to compete at Melbourne Park for Australian Open 2022, the first grand slam event of the season, but two of the sport’s biggest names are noticeably absent. World No 41 Serena Williams will not contest the women’s draw, with the seven-time Australian Open champion withdrawing on advice from her medical team. On the men’s side, 16th-ranked Roger Federer is out as he continues rehabilitation following knee surgery. “While this is... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3158911/naomi-osaka-novak-djokovic-booked-australian-open-serena-williams-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3158911/naomi-osaka-novak-djokovic-booked-australian-open-serena-williams-out?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Dec 2021 08:53:18 +0000 After months of speculation that Novak Djokovic may miss the Australian Open over tough Covid-19 vaccination requirements, the world number one was on Tuesday named to play in a Sydney tournament weeks before. The 20-time grand slam champion had cast doubt on whether he would defend his title at Melbourne Park next month, refusing to reveal whether he was inoculated against coronavirus. However, he was listed as part of the five-man Serbia team when the draw was made for the ATP Cup in Sydney... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3158763/novak-djokovic-slated-play-australias-atp-cup-ahead-australian-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3158763/novak-djokovic-slated-play-australias-atp-cup-ahead-australian-open?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Dec 2021 08:36:18 +0000 China No 1 Zhang Shuai’s victory at the 2021 US Open secured a “golden slam” of sorts for Chinese players as it marked the final major where there was a Chinese winner. The golden slam is traditionally seen as winning all four majors – Wimbledon and the Australian, French and US Open – plus the Olympic gold medal all in the same calendar year. That was achieved by Germany superstar Steffi Graf back in 1988 and it has proven notoriously difficult to replicate ever since, even for the those at... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3148838/zhang-shuais-us-open-doubles-win-completes-chinese-golden-slam-tennis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3148838/zhang-shuais-us-open-doubles-win-completes-chinese-golden-slam-tennis?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Sep 2021 08:48:51 +0000 World number one Novak Djokovic confirmed he will compete at the Tokyo Olympics as the Serb remains on course to achieve the ‘golden slam’ in tennis. Djokovic completed the third leg towards achieving the feat last weekend when he added the Wimbledon title to his Australian Open and French Open triumphs in 2021. No man has ever won the four slams and an Olympic gold in the same year, with Germany’s Steffi Graf the only player to accomplish it in 1988. After winning at Wimbledon, Djokovic said he... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3141329/tokyo-2020-olympics-novak-djokovic-keeps-golden-slam-dream-alive-after?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3141329/tokyo-2020-olympics-novak-djokovic-keeps-golden-slam-dream-alive-after?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Jul 2021 03:52:18 +0000 Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka’s new collaboration with Barbie sold out almost immediately on its release on Monday in the US, just in time for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The second Barbie doll by Mattel in the world No 2’s likeness is already on back-order on their website, despite fans being limited to two per customer. Osaka’s first doll was released in 2019 to coincide with the iconic doll’s 60th anniversary. This second doll is part of the Barbie “Role Model Series”, following US women’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3140965/naomi-osaka-barbie-sells-out-hours-release-she-prepares-olympic-return?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3140965/naomi-osaka-barbie-sells-out-hours-release-she-prepares-olympic-return?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Jul 2021 11:11:14 +0000 There were contrasting fortunes for Chinese players at Wimbledon as play resumed on the second day following a rain-affected opening to the opening matches on Monday. China’s Zhu Lin was among those to start Tuesday morning’s first matches though the 27-year-old soon found herself a set down to Germany’s Mona Barthel. World No 99 Zhu was beaten in that first set tiebreak but soon found her form and impressed as she took the next two sets 6-3 to march on to the second round. There she will face... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3139215/wimbledon-2021-zhu-lin-through-face-elise-mertens-zhang-zhizhen-rained?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3139215/wimbledon-2021-zhu-lin-through-face-elise-mertens-zhang-zhizhen-rained?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Jun 2021 13:20:54 +0000 Hong Kong’s sporting footprint is not large, especially without the World Rugby Sevens and local football during the pandemic. This only seems to increase the appetite for sporting fare. The proposal for Hong Kong to create a sporting bubble that would enable it to host an important regional football competition is therefore exciting. It would help restore the city’s positive and safe image amid much negative publicity in recent times. But it does raise tricky issues, apart from the... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3123666/sporting-chance-one-take-carefully?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3123666/sporting-chance-one-take-carefully?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Mar 2021 18:36:52 +0000 Is it fair to say that Chinese sport is stagnating? It sure feels that way. This week saw the release of the nominations for the Laureus World Sports Awards and there were two Asians among the 30 athlete and team nominees. Elsewhere on a list dominated by Europe and the US, there are only two Africans – Kenyan runners Joshua Cheptegei and Brigid Kosgei – with the Argentina men’s rugby team the sole South American representation. Both of Asia’s nominees, Naomi Osaka and Kento Momota, are... https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3123479/no-new-yao-ming-or-li-na-sees-beijing-2022-host-china-still-punching?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/golf/article/3123479/no-new-yao-ming-or-li-na-sees-beijing-2022-host-china-still-punching?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Mar 2021 00:00:18 +0000 Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka and world badminton number one Kento Momota are again leading the way for Asia, this time as contenders for the virtual Laureus World Sports Awards. The 23-year-old Osaka, who won her third grand slam at the US Open last year and added her fourth at the Australian Open this month, was nominated for 2020 World Sportswoman of the Year. The former world number one had won Laureus’ breakthrough award two years earlier but joins the marquee category for her... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3123135/japans-naomi-osaka-and-kento-momota-hold-asian-hopes-laureus-world?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3123135/japans-naomi-osaka-and-kento-momota-hold-asian-hopes-laureus-world?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Feb 2021 10:21:43 +0000 Hong Kong could soon be welcoming back top-level regional sport if the Hong Kong Football Association’s plan to host AFC competitions come to pass – and not before time. The Asian Football Confederation has confirmed that the HKFA has put themselves and the city forward to play host to two groups in this season’s AFC Champions League and AFC Cup. Government sources also told the Post that they “fully backed” the plan, which would see five visiting teams and more than 300 players and staff... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3123019/covid-19-hong-kong-sport-bubble-could-be-breath-fresh-air?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3123019/covid-19-hong-kong-sport-bubble-could-be-breath-fresh-air?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Feb 2021 01:00:12 +0000 Naomi Osaka paid tribute to fans back home and around the world as she dedicated her latest Australian Open win to those affected by the 2011 disaster in Japan and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “I would like to thank everyone in Japan for their continued warm support,” she said in a statement through her management company. “Since I heard there was another large quake in Japan recently, I also want to dedicate this win to those whose lives have still yet to be fully put back together... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3122766/naomi-osaka-hopes-grand-slam-win-brings-power-and-strength-japanese?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3122766/naomi-osaka-hopes-grand-slam-win-brings-power-and-strength-japanese?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Feb 2021 06:58:27 +0000 Naomi Osaka might not agree but many will consider her to have become the “face of tennis” now that she has won a fourth slam in four final appearances. It was pointed out to the winner of the 2021 Australian Open that she had made the comment that Serena Williams will be the face of tennis as long as she is still playing. Did a fourth slam or even beating Williams in the semi-final change that? “No. Not at all.” It was the shortest of any answer in her post-victory press conference but unlike... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3122586/australian-open-winner-naomi-osaka-face-future-much-more-achieve-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3122586/australian-open-winner-naomi-osaka-face-future-much-more-achieve-and?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Feb 2021 03:02:18 +0000 Peerless world number one Novak Djokovic demolished Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in straight sets to win his ninth Australian Open title and extend his record-breaking reign at Melbourne Park Sunday. Djokovic overpowered the fourth seed 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 in front of 7,400 fans on Rod Laver Arena to end the Russian’s unbeaten run at 20 matches. In winning a third straight Australian Open for the second time, the Serb claimed his 18th grand slam title to move within two of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3122558/dominant-novak-djokovic-beats-daniil-medvedev-win-ninth-australian?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3122558/dominant-novak-djokovic-beats-daniil-medvedev-win-ninth-australian?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Feb 2021 11:29:13 +0000 Japan’s Naomi Osaka secured a fourth grand slam title with a straights set victory, battling past Jennifer Brady in the Australian Open final in Melbourne. While she finished with three championship points it was not easy for Osaka, the third seed at Melbourne Park, having to dig deep for a 6-4, 6-3 win. Osaka was full of praise for Brady, who she described as a “problem” in her acceptance speech. The win was nervier than it should have been having raced into a 4-0 second set lead, winning six... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3122498/australian-open-2021-naomi-osaka-beats-jen-brady-straight-sets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3122498/australian-open-2021-naomi-osaka-beats-jen-brady-straight-sets?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 20 Feb 2021 10:04:34 +0000 Naomi Osaka does not shy away from issues of racial and gender inequality. Where others may feel uncomfortable, the Japanese-Haitian tennis star has already had several ‘enough is enough’ moments and is absolutely within her rights, her coach said. In February, the Osaka-born 23-year-old expressed her disgust at the “hate, racism and blame” for the Covid-19 pandemic towards Asians around the world. In the same social media post, she lamented the “pathetic Ching Chong and shrimp fried rice”... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3122222/australian-open-naomi-osaka-speaks-out-about-race-and-gender?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3122222/australian-open-naomi-osaka-speaks-out-about-race-and-gender?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Feb 2021 02:00:11 +0000 World number one Novak Djokovic ended the dream run of Russian qualifier Aslan Karatsev in the Australian Open semi-finals on Thursday to maintain his bid for a record-extending ninth title. The 33-year-old Serb, showing no ill-effects from an abdomen injury sustained in the third round, overwhelmed the 114th-ranked Karatsev 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 to reach his 28th grand slam final. “This is the best I’ve felt in the entire tournament,” said Djokovic, who hit 30 winners and 17 aces. “I could swing... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3122247/australian-open-2021-novak-djokovic-ends-aslan-karatsevs-dream-reach?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3122247/australian-open-2021-novak-djokovic-ends-aslan-karatsevs-dream-reach?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Feb 2021 12:06:42 +0000 Naomi Osaka emphatically ended Serena Williams’ latest bid for a record-equalling 24th grand slam crown with a straight-sets demolition in the Australian Open semi-finals on Thursday. The Japanese third seed swept past the American veteran 6-3, 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena in front of thousands of fans allowed back in after Melbourne lifted a snap five-day lockdown. Osaka, 23, will face American Jennifer Brady, who beat Czech Karolina Muchova in the other semi-final, on Saturday for a fourth slam... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3122158/australian-open-naomi-osaka-ends-serena-williams-record-grand-slam-bid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3122158/australian-open-naomi-osaka-ends-serena-williams-record-grand-slam-bid?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Feb 2021 05:14:42 +0000 Novak Djokovic has claimed the “majority” of tennis players are opposed to playing on tour this season if quarantining before tournaments becomes the norm. The world number one made his stunning claim after reaching the Australian Open semi-finals with a four-set win over Alexander Zverev, moving a step closer to a ninth title at the event. Djokovic, 33, is battling an abdominal injury and he pointed to problems that have affected the likes of Rafael Nadal, Matteo Berrettini and Grigor Dimitrov... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3122000/australian-open-novak-djokovic-proposes-nba-bubble-majority-players?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3122000/australian-open-novak-djokovic-proposes-nba-bubble-majority-players?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Feb 2021 05:16:10 +0000 World number one Ash Barty’s bid to become the first home-grown Australian Open champion since Chris O’Neil in 1978 ended in a 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 quarter-final defeat to Karolina Muchova on Wednesday. The Czech 25th seed rallied after a lengthy medical timeout in the second set to secure a place in her first grand slam semi-final, where she will meet Jennifer Brady, who beat fellow American Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. Barty’s shock exit from the tournament came as the state of Victoria announced... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3121971/australian-open-world-number-one-ash-barty-dumped-out-fans-set-return?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3121971/australian-open-world-number-one-ash-barty-dumped-out-fans-set-return?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Feb 2021 02:38:13 +0000 The brute force of Naomi Osaka crushed the artistry of Hsieh Su-wei as the Japanese former champion charged into the Australian Open semi-finals with a 6-2, 6-2 win on Tuesday. On a warm and muggy day in Melbourne, third seed Osaka attacked Hsieh’s weak serve with gusto and the Taiwanese giant-killer quickly wilted under the pressure in her grand slam quarter-final debut. “I was pretty calm. I’m really happy how I played today,” said 2019 champion Osaka, who hit 24 winners in a dominant display... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3121848/australian-open-naomi-osaka-thrashes-hsieh-su-wei-reach-semi-finals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3121848/australian-open-naomi-osaka-thrashes-hsieh-su-wei-reach-semi-finals?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 16 Feb 2021 03:36:01 +0000 Rafael Nadal outclassed Fabio Fognini to close in on the all-time grand slam titles record on Monday as Ashleigh Barty ramped up hopes of becoming the Australian Open’s first home winner in 43 years. Nadal said his lower back stiffness was continuing to improve after his 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 against the flamboyant Italian, which set up a quarter-final against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas. Fognini had registered a five-set win over Nadal at the 2015 US Open, but the Spaniard cantered to victory after... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3121811/australian-open-2021-rafael-nadal-closer-grand-slam-record-ashleigh?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3121811/australian-open-2021-rafael-nadal-closer-grand-slam-record-ashleigh?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Feb 2021 11:44:31 +0000 Serena Williams tumbled to the ground, her heavily taped right ankle turning, her body contorting, her racquet flying. This was early in the second set of a competitive match-up in the Australian Open’s fourth round against a younger version of herself – stinging serves, huge groundstroke cuts, a fierce streak – and during a stretch on Sunday when things seemed to be slipping away. Williams quickly put up a hand to indicate she was OK, tied the laces of her right shoe and, while it took her a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3121701/australian-open-serena-williams-bounces-floor-reach-last-eight-naomi?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3121701/australian-open-serena-williams-bounces-floor-reach-last-eight-naomi?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Feb 2021 08:35:47 +0000 The Australian Open was meant to provide the answer for sport in these Covid-19 times. Instead it has just presented more questions. Questions such as is sport essential and at what cost? As of midnight Friday, the state of Victoria was put into a hard lockdown after a spate of cases from the Holiday Inn hotel near Melbourne airport. The tennis will carry on, with the athletes deemed essential workers. To be exempt from the lockdown you will need to carry a special permit that looks like this.... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3121655/australian-open-plays-through-covid-19-lockdown-should-fans-return?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3121655/australian-open-plays-through-covid-19-lockdown-should-fans-return?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Feb 2021 00:00:22 +0000 The Australian Open will proceed without crowds over the next five days, organisers said, after the state of Victoria was placed under a snap lockdown from Friday to contain a fresh outbreak of Covid-19. “Australian Open sessions today and tonight will continue as planned with Covid-safe protocols in place,” organisers said in a statement. “We are notifying ticket holders, players and staff that there will be no fans onsite at the AO for five days, commencing from Saturday 13 February.” Premier... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3121535/australian-open-continue-without-crowds-victoria-launches-snap-covid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3121535/australian-open-continue-without-crowds-victoria-launches-snap-covid?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 Feb 2021 04:19:09 +0000 Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka is gunning for nothing but a second title at the Covid-19 pandemic-impacted Australian Open, her coach said. The 23-year-old world number three, who has made a great start in Melbourne with victories over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia and Caroline Garcia of France, is said to be in pristine shape, despite extra tests, quarantines, and niggling injuries in the warm-up event. “It’s been challenging. There’s a lot going on with the pandemic but at the end of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3121402/japan-star-naomi-osaka-understanding-her-mission-dominate-tennis-world?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3121402/japan-star-naomi-osaka-understanding-her-mission-dominate-tennis-world?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Feb 2021 02:49:36 +0000 Japan’s Naomi Osaka made light work of France’s Caroline Garcia in their Australian Open second-round meeting. Osaka won 6-2, 6-3 at Melbourne Park’s Rod Laver Arena to move on to face Tunisian Ons Jabeur in the next round. The third seed wasted little time in beating Garcia, taking just 61 minutes. World No 3 Osaka recorded her 16th straight win, which runs back to her winning the US Open last year. It's @naomiosaka time on Rod Laver Arena @emirates | #FlyBetterMoments... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3121325/australian-open-2021-naomi-osaka-beats-caroline-garcia-face-ons-jabeur?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3121325/australian-open-2021-naomi-osaka-beats-caroline-garcia-face-ons-jabeur?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Feb 2021 09:41:49 +0000 Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei knocked Canada’s Bianca Andreescu out of the Australian Open in straight sets on Wednesday. Andreescu, the eighth seed at Melbourne Park, had no answer for world No 71 Hsieh, who looked in complete control in their second round match at Rod Laver Arena. Hsieh, 35, beat the 2019 US Open champion 6-3, 6-2 in an hour and 23 minutes and will play the winner of Venus Williams and Sara Errani in the third round. The veteran is better known as a doubles player where she is ranked... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3121228/australian-open-2021-taiwans-ageless-hsieh-su-wei-crushes-bianca?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3121228/australian-open-2021-taiwans-ageless-hsieh-su-wei-crushes-bianca?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 10 Feb 2021 02:19:20 +0000 Chinese No 2 Zhang Shuai has followed No 1 Wang Qiang out of the Australian Open after losing her first round match to 20-year-old Ann Li, of the United States. Zhang, the 31st seed, was beaten 6,2, 6-0 in just 47 minutes on the second day of the Melbourne Park grand slam. Li has now won her last 13 matches and faces Alize Cornet of France in the second round. Much has been expected of Chinese-American Li since she was runner-up at Junior Wimbledon in 2017, where she was beaten by fellow... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3121083/australian-open-2021-ann-li-sends-chinas-zhang-shuai-packing-first?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3121083/australian-open-2021-ann-li-sends-chinas-zhang-shuai-packing-first?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Feb 2021 02:54:42 +0000 Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka is the face of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and she might well become the voice of it, too. She is certainly a voice of reason amid the strained larynxes of the tennis world gathered in Melbourne for the Australian Open. The run-up to the first grand slam of the year has seen some very vocal complaints about quarantine from players as Australia battles Covid-19. Not from Osaka, who also said she would be happy to quarantine ahead of the Olympic tennis tournament this... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3121002/tokyo-2020-naomi-osaka-talks-more-sense-olympic-playbook?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3121002/tokyo-2020-naomi-osaka-talks-more-sense-olympic-playbook?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Feb 2021 09:30:14 +0000 Chinese No 1 Wang Qiang has crashed out of the Australian Open after losing to Italy’s Sara Errani in the first round on Monday, in a match similar to her warm-up tournament loss a week ago. Wang, the world No 34 and 30th seed in Melbourne, had won the first set 6-2 before Errani bounced back in the second. The Italian won that 6-4 and then took the deciding set by the same score, though both players had chances to win in a topsy turvy ninth game with the scores level at 4-4 – after Wang had... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3120963/australian-open-2021-wang-qiang-chinas-no-1-crashes-out-first-round?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3120963/australian-open-2021-wang-qiang-chinas-no-1-crashes-out-first-round?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Feb 2021 04:37:02 +0000 The 2019 Australian Open women’s singles champion Naomi Osaka began her 2021 tournament with a straight sets win over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova at Melbourne Park. Osaka, the third seed, appeared to show no sign of the “niggling injury” that saw her pull out of the warm-up Gipplsand Trophy semi-final on Friday. She raced to a first set victory in just 33 minutes, sealing the 6-1 win by breaking the Russian world No 39’s serve after pouncing on an error. Pavlyuchenkova began the second set brighter... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3120933/australian-open-2021-naomi-osaka-eases-past-anastasia-pavlyuchenkova?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3120933/australian-open-2021-naomi-osaka-eases-past-anastasia-pavlyuchenkova?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Feb 2021 01:25:43 +0000 Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka has taken aim at the “hate, racism and blame” for Covid-19 towards the Asian community, calling it “disgusting”. Osaka, who is due to start the Australian Open in Melbourne on Monday, called out the behaviour she has seen in a post on her Twitter account on Sunday. “The amount of hate, racism, and blame for COVID towards the Asian community is disgusting,” she wrote, saying that she had stumbled across it on her Instagram account. “The fact that this topic is not... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3120885/naomi-osaka-calls-out-covid-19-hate-racism-and-blame-toward-asians?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3120885/naomi-osaka-calls-out-covid-19-hate-racism-and-blame-toward-asians?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Feb 2021 05:34:48 +0000 Former Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka has pulled out of the semi-finals of the Gipplsand Trophy ahead of the first grand slam of the year, which starts on Monday. The 23-year-old, who won in Melbourne in 2019, had advanced to the final four of the warm-up tournament by beating Romania’s Irina Begu in straight sets on Friday. “Sorry to Tennis Australia and the fans to have to withdraw today,” Osaka said in a statement tweeted by the WTA. “I have a niggling injury and in light of the AO on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3120815/naomi-osaka-pulls-out-australian-open-warm-gippsland-trophy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3120815/naomi-osaka-pulls-out-australian-open-warm-gippsland-trophy?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 06 Feb 2021 02:28:14 +0000 Australian Open chief Craig Tiley said he was “absolutely confident” the tournament would start next week despite a fresh coronavirus case that halted warm-up tournaments and forced hundreds of players and officials into isolation on Thursday. The case, a worker at one of the Melbourne tournament’s designated quarantine hotels, has caused yet more chaos before the year’s first tennis grand slam, which has already been delayed three weeks over coronavirus problems. But Tiley said the Australian... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3120491/australian-open-boss-absolutely-confident-tournament-will-go-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3120491/australian-open-boss-absolutely-confident-tournament-will-go-ahead?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Feb 2021 06:18:21 +0000 The Australian Open was again thrown into chaos Wednesday when up to 600 players and officials were told to isolate and get tested after a worker at a hotel they are staying in became infected with Covid-19. Victorian state Premier Daniel Andrews said the man last worked at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Melbourne on January 29 and anyone there was considered a casual contact. More than 1,000 players, coaches and officials jetted into largely virus-free Australia last month for 14 days’ lockdown ahead... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3120428/australian-open-isolates-some-600-players-officials-after?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3120428/australian-open-isolates-some-600-players-officials-after?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Feb 2021 14:23:25 +0000 Chinese tennis star Wang Qiang made the worst possible start to her Australian Open preparations when she lost to Italy’s Jasmine Paolini at the Gippsland Trophy tournament at Melbourne Park on Monday. Wang, the world No 34 and 10th seed at the grand slam warm-up event, had won the opening set in 47 minutes but the unseeded 25-year-old Italian came back to win the next set 7-5 despite being 5-2 down. The 29-year-old looked tired as she misplaced several shots in a decisive third set, including... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3120032/chinas-no-1-wang-qiang-crashes-out-australian-open-warm-gippsland?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3120032/chinas-no-1-wang-qiang-crashes-out-australian-open-warm-gippsland?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Feb 2021 05:33:47 +0000 Tennis players forced into 14 days of coronavirus quarantine ahead of the Australian Open made some bizarre requests to get through their ordeal, including asking for kittens and puppies in their rooms. Tournament chief Craig Tiley spent months organising bringing more than 1,000 players and support staff safely into the country and revealed that some oddball requests had added to the complicated logistics, without naming the players who made them. “The most bizarre request was for a kitten in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3120023/australian-open-kittens-puppies-top-bizarre-requests-tennis-quarantine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3120023/australian-open-kittens-puppies-top-bizarre-requests-tennis-quarantine?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Feb 2021 05:05:06 +0000 Perhaps they were expecting the red carpet, rather than red tape, but the red mist has descended among many of the elite tennis players who have arrived in Australia for next month’s Australian Open. Looking at the social media of some who are in quarantine in Melbourne is reminiscent of Fyre Festival, the social media scam that provided plenty of people with a laugh at the expense of those bright young things that travelled to the Bahamas in 2017, only to be met with Lord of the Flies rather... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3119071/covid-19-winning-battle-australian-open-star-sulks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3119071/covid-19-winning-battle-australian-open-star-sulks?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 Jan 2021 02:24:26 +0000 A Spanish tennis player has apologised after slamming quarantine rules at the Australian Open, days before testing positive for Covid-19. World No 67 Paula Badosa said she understood “the sad situation”, adding: “Sorry guys.” The 23-year-old was among tennis stars who complained about their confinement ahead of the tournament, which was delayed by three weeks due to the pandemic. Three of 17 charter flights carrying the players into the largely virus-free country reported positive cases, meaning... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3118965/australian-open-covid-19-infected-paula-badosa-apologises-after?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3118965/australian-open-covid-19-infected-paula-badosa-apologises-after?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Jan 2021 07:43:21 +0000 Covid-19 forced cancellation of the Wimbledon tennis tournament last year. The priority now is to save the first grand slam event of the year, the Australian Open in Melbourne from February 8, from a similar fate. The means is social distancing and the quarantining of players if necessary, and the bottom line is no exceptions. Imagine the reaction of tennis stars used to receiving special treatment such as chauffeured cars when officials herded more than 70 of them into strict hotel room... https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3118930/tennis-aces-meet-match-quarantine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3118930/tennis-aces-meet-match-quarantine?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Jan 2021 18:20:22 +0000 Three more people linked to the Australian Open have tested positive for Covid-19 in Melbourne, increasing those associated with the grand slam tennis tournament to 10. The tournament begins February 8. Victoria state emergency services minister Lisa Neville confirmed the new cases had been detected on Wednesday, adding that authorities are “very confident” one of the cases is a tennis player who is shedding the virus and is not infectious. The player is already in hard lockdown as they were on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3118439/australian-open-2021-three-more-covid-19-cases-linked-bringing-total?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3118439/australian-open-2021-three-more-covid-19-cases-linked-bringing-total?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 Jan 2021 04:18:36 +0000 Sunbathing by the window, hitting balls against a mattress and running sprints in corridors – quarantined tennis players are getting creative as they try to kill time in their hotel rooms before next month’s Australian Open. More players were forced into hard quarantine ahead of the tournament, which starts on February 8, with officials confirming on Monday that four additional participants, including an athlete, tested positive for Covid-19 among those arriving in Melbourne. More than 70... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3118203/australian-open-2021-players-get-creative-quarantine-more-70-unable?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3118203/australian-open-2021-players-get-creative-quarantine-more-70-unable?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Jan 2021 09:54:13 +0000 Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka was among the earliest arrivals into Melbourne on one of the 15 charter flights bringing players and officials into the city for the first grand slam tennis tournament of the year. And she wanted everyone to know she was pleased to be in Australia despite all the Covid-19 restrictions around the world and a tournament-enforced 14-day quarantine period in Melbourne. Azarenka, who won the tournament in 2012 and 2013, tweeted on Friday: “Made it... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3117857/australian-open-players-arrive-and-head-straight-quarantine?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3117857/australian-open-players-arrive-and-head-straight-quarantine?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 15 Jan 2021 04:59:14 +0000 Former tennis star Li Na found herself trending on social media after reports said she had given up her Chinese nationality. The two-time grand slam winner was said to be the Li Na who had applied to change their nationality in Busan, South Korea, with the topic of “Li Na’s resignation of Chinese nationality” blowing up on Weibo. An image of a consular certificate showing Li Na applying to change her nationality to South Korean, dated December 24, was uploaded to Weibo on Monday. Reports that... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3116443/li-na-chinese-consulate-slams-fake-news-tennis-star-has-changed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3116443/li-na-chinese-consulate-slams-fake-news-tennis-star-has-changed?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Jan 2021 03:24:42 +0000