Sydney: Johanna Konta's Shot Of The Day
Johanna Konta had Friday’s shot of the day at the Apia International Sydney.
Johanna Konta had Friday’s shot of the day at the Apia International Sydney.
MELBOURNE, Australia – Angelique Kerber, Garbiñe Muguruza and Simona Halep – Adidas brand ambassadors and top seeds at the Australian Open – chatted with media ahead of the year’s first Grand Slam.
Joined by Japanese rising star Naomi Osaka, the players took part in an Adidas event where they were put through their paces in a series of workouts at the National Tennis Centre.
After working up a sweat, Kerber, Muguruza and Halep discussed their chances at the Australian Open.
“Obviously I’m nervous, I mean it’s the first Grand Slam of the year,” Muguruza said. “I wanna do it so well, so I have to be calm sometimes. So hopefully I won’t get crazy.”
Watch the video above to hear from all the players, and check out the best photos of the event right here – courtesy of Fiona Hamilton and Tennis Australia:
In today’s SAP Stat Of The Day, Johanna Konta shows just how dominant she was in her run to the Apia International Sydney title.
The Australian Open starts today, and here’s how Angelique Kerber, Serena Williams and more have been preparing for the fortnight.
Johanna Konta takes on Agnieszka Radwanska in the final of the Apia International Sydney.
Simona Halep was all smiles as she snapped a photo next to the iconic “AO” sign.
Former No.1 Venus Williams got a hero’s welcome to Melbourne Park from all of the Australian Open’s ball kids.
She was joined by little sister Serena, with whom she’s set to play doubles for the first time since the Olympics.
The ball kids were back in action again as World No.1 Angelique Kerber joined fellow defending champion Novak Djokovic for a stroll through the grounds.
The pair had one last photoshoot with their respective trophies before the tournament got underway.
Australia’s Daria Gavrilova had a fun taste at Woolworths Summer Sensorium joined by – you guessed it – more Australian Open ball kids.
Gavrilova was back on the tennis court later for Australian Open Kids Day.
Is that a big enough racquet for you Dasha?!
Gavrilova was joined by a host of ATP stars and a cast of colorful characters.
Meanwhile, Serena Williams got to meet the next generation of Australian stars at a Wilson event with Destanee Aiava and Jaimee Fourlis.
Serena is seeking record-breaking Grand Slam No.23 in Melbourne, as well as a return to World No.1.
British No.1 Johanna Konta was thrilled to be back in Melbourne where her huge breakthrough started.
MELBOURNE, Australia – When Angelique Kerber steps on court for her opening-round match at the Australian Open next week, she will be the first woman to attempt to successfully defend her maiden Slam since Victoria Azarenka did so here in 2013. Much like Kerber, Azarenka came into the Australian Open that year with the No.1 ranking under threat, but the Belarusian came through an emotionally fraught campaign to raise the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Trophy once again, beating Li Na in a three-set final.
One of the keys to Kerber’s breakout run in Melbourne last year was her ability to keep the distractions at bay and keep her fortnight simple. Along with coach Torben Beltz, Kerber went out of her way to downplay the significance of the tournament as a major. It was just another tournament, Kerber told herself. She eschewed the fancier boutique lodging options in Melbourne and stayed at the tournament hotel.
Instead of escaping the site as soon as she could after her matches or practices to get away from the noise and chaos, she chose to eat her meals on-site. She went with the flow. She didn’t fight it. It worked.
After all, in case you forgot the legend of Angie Kerber, she was a point away from being on a plane back to Germany in the first round last year. After escaping with a win over Misaki Doi, Kerber was playing with house money for her next six matches, completely unencumbered by pressure or fear. It all culminated in a gutsy performance that stunned everyone, as she took down Serena Williams in three sets in one of the most thrilling major finals of the last decade.
A year on and Kerber is now a two-time major champion and World No.1. While the No.1 ranking is theoretically at stake in Melbourne, World No.2 Serena would have to reach the final in order to have a chance at overtaking the German, and the path for Serena to that final is a tough one.
The biggest question facing Kerber as she prepares for her Melbourne campaign is simply her state of mind. The concept of “defending a title” is an illusory one. Kerber’s task is not to defend but to do what she does every week she takes the court: try to win the title. No one gets extra points for defending a title.
Whatever accolades they may receive for “defending” is no more than for simply winning yet another major, an incredible accomplishment that stands on its own. In other words, Kerber’s task for the fortnight is not complicated.
So…does she believe that?
Kerber has started her season on a 1-2 clip, taking losses to Elina Svitolina and Daria Kasatkina, neither of whom are bad losses. She looks as fit as ever, but her game has been a touch loose. She’s been prone to leaking untimely errors and double-faults, the types of errors that are more indicative of rust and nerves in tough moments. If she can get on a roll through the first week of the tournament, those nerves should subside and her physical, grinding game should click into place.
The good news for Kerber is that her draw through the first week almost looks designed to help her find her rhythm. She opens against Lesia Tsurenko, who withdrew from the semifinals at the Hobart International with a viral illness, then either countrywoman Carina Witthoeft or a qualifier, with her first seed potentially being Irina-Camelia Begu in the third round. Those are three opponents Kerber should be able to find some rhythm against and gain some confidence.
For her part, Kerber is not an intrinsically complicated personality. She craves simplicity, to just work, and play, go to sleep, and do it all again. This is a new experience for the 28-year-old and a big test of her ability to focus on the task at hand and not get distracted by the white noise that surrounds any World No.1 who is asked to prove themselves week-in and week-out. It is impossible to hide or fly under the radar.
There is no circus like one that surrounds a World No.1 at a Slam. The question for Kerber is whether or not she can tame it in her first go-round.
All photos courtesy of Getty Images.
An interview with Johanna Konta after her final win at the Apia International Sydney.
WTA Insider | Can Angelique Kerber defend her title in Melbourne? How tough is World No.2 Serena Williams’ draw? The Insider team examines an intriguing Australian Open draw.
An press conference with Agnieszka Radwanska after her final defeat at the Apia International Sydney.