Australian Open 2021 Top 10 Points 

1 – Time has not healed the Djokovic – Kyrgios relationship. Djokovic came out after his win saying that he respects Kyrgios’ Tennis ability but off the court ” I don’t have much respect for him”. Kyrgios was told of Djokovic’s comments in his press conference and was not afraid to open his mouth as always and say his comments. He said Djokovic is a bit of  ” a strange cat” and that he can understand why he wouldn’t respect some of his on court antics… but was confused as to why he was having a go at his off court work, when he has been very involved in charities etc… meanwhile Djokovic has been running around setting up a Tour through Europe during the pandemic and partying with his shirt off. Get out the popcorn… one feels that this is just the beginning. 

2 – Barty Party just getting started. Nearly a year since her last Grand Slam match and clearly the break has not affected Barty’s form or ability to compete under pressure. Barty annihilated her first round opponent 6-0 6-0 in a perfect display of power and touch Tennis. 

3 – Kerber and Andresscu are out already – Kerber lost her first round match and said in her press conference that she underestimated how difficult the quarantine would be on her and would have reconsidered coming here if she has known. Andresscu lost her second round match. 

4 – Players are grateful to be playing in front of fans again. Many of the players have been beaming in their press conferences about how wonderful it is to play in front of fans again and how it gives them extra energy. 

5 – Shapovalov beats Sinner in excellent first round match. The Italian Sinner has been on the rise lately and has had plenty of great results touting many to talk the 19 year old up as one of the potential future top 10 players… Shapovalov had other ideas and overcame Sinner in this match by using all of his experience and power. 

6 – Many players are complaining about quarantine conditions after losing -Players such as Tenys Sandgren and Vasek Pospisol have come out after losing and said that Tennis Australia did not provide an environment suitable for them to be able to play their best Tennis… Pospisol was ” a little bit resentful” after having to do the hard lockdown. 

7 – Azarenka is ousted by Pegula. It was always going to be tough for Azarenka coming out of hard quarantine to then try and play her best, and she came up against a red hot Jessica Pegula. Ranked 61st in the world she took it to Azarenka and beat her in a hard fought match. Azarenka didn’t play bad… it was more that Pegula was up to the task and the better competitor on the day. 

8  – Serena looking good – Serena took her first round match and looks relaxed, fit and well adjusted to Australia.. She is still on track for her 24th Grand Slam Title! It will be interesting to watch. 

9 – It’s good to almost have Tennis back to normal -Sure, there are not as much fans at the Australian Open, there are masks, there are players who have complained about quarantine.. but overall, it feels about 80% normal to how it normally does… oh.. also it is being played in February rather than January!  Bring on the next 11 days!

10 – Nick Kyrgios still has the form and all his showmanship despite a year of not playing Tennis. His match in Wednesday night where he came back from a match point and won in 5 had the biggest crown noise since the pandemic started.