Casper Ruud survived a tough five-setter on Day 1 of the tournament. It turns out that starting on Sunday might’ve helped him get over the line.
"I've never played my opening match on a Sunday, and it feels like if I would have lost today. I feel like I would have been on the way home before the tournament even started. Really didn't want to lose," the three-time major finalist explained.
"I guess maybe that helped me pull through the fifth set. Just kind of in a way refusing to lose, if that's something you can say."
Another player who battles through five sets, this time coming from two sets down, was Japan’s Kei Nishikori.
It’s certainly not the first marathon he’s played, having won 27 five-setters coming into his match against Thiago Monteiro, but this one might’ve been a bit more special, considering he was close to giving tennis away last year.
He opened up about what motivated him to come back again.
"Well, I just still love to play tennis. I love to compete. I wanted to play [in a] big stadium like today. That was my goal a year ago when I was doing rehab. I still think that I have [a] chance to play with these top players. I'm feeling that end of last year," Nishikori said.
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka defeated 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens, in what could’ve been a tricky match-up.
Talking about how she navigates difficult moments within matches, Sabalenka opened up.
"I think it's a big difference, compare myself to even like three years ago. In that moment I would get frustrated and probably would lose the first set. I'm not sure if I would be able to win the match. That's what I remember," she said.
"I'm really glad that I improved my mental toughness. I'm able to stay focused no matter what the score, what the situation is. I'm focusing on the game, on the point. I'm focusing point by point."
Mirra Andreeva had minimal trouble in her first-round match against Marie Bouzková.
Afterwards, Andreeva referred to another teenager of a previous era, and how she sees glimpses of herself in an ex-champion.
"Well, I always like the way Martina Hingis was playing. I have seen some similarities," said the 17-year-old. "She's also playing smart. I would say she played smart, and I'm also playing smart as her. I think that the difference is that she was never afraid to come in and finish the point and be more aggressive. Now, I'm just starting to learn how to do it."
Last year’s runner-up, Qinwen Zheng, had a tough first set against Anca Todoni, but eventually prevailed.
Despite being a strong favourite, she admitted to nerves ahead of her return to Melbourne Park.
"Actually, I feel really nervous," confessed the Olympic gold medalist. "I start to feel nervous already since yesterday 'cause I felt special emotion for Australian Open. I feel it's one of the biggest tournament. I really like it here. But when I feel nervous, actually I play better. I'm more concentrated. I made less unforced errors."
She also admitted not worrying about being too friendly to her opponents after a match.
"I come just here [to] play a match. If I lost, I will give you just a basic respect and that's it. That's why you will not see me lose one match with a happy face to the opponent."
Click here to watch live tennis on Stan Sport.
Arthur Fils was also one of the lucky ones scheduled on an indoor court, so the Frenchman had no issues with the rain, managing to get over his Finnish opponent, Otto Virtanen, in four tight sets.
For Fils, it was somewhat of a novelty not having to worry about the weather.
"It's pretty nice, man. First time in my life I'm playing on a good court," he said. "Actually, I played in Wimbledon on Court 1. It's one of the biggest courts I play in a Slam, so it's very nice. It's great to feel like this. To be able to play a match and to finish a match with a roof, it's much [easier] than to play, to stop with the rain. It's a nice treatment."
Coming into the Australian Open, Donna Vekić had lost her first three matches of the year. However, a new perspective on tennis and life is keeping her more level-headed.
"I think last year, tennis was everything to me," the world No.19 said. "It was the most important thing. I wanted to win a Slam. But after winning a medal… in my head, I was like, 'Okay, if I never win another thing, it’s fine'.
"But on the other hand, I’m more hungry, more motivated than ever to keep winning, to maybe eventually get that Slam, especially after playing semis at Wimbledon, being so close to the finals."
Looking ahead to tomorrow, Maya Joint is coming into her first Australian Open main draw, but shows few signs of nerves.
"I'm really excited. It's my first main draw here, so nothing to lose. Just go out and have fun."
The 18-year-old also made mention of the support she has received since switching allegiances to Australia in 2023.
"It's been amazing. I mean, when I played here for the first time, they really made me feel like I was always representing Australia. I was playing in Brisbane and in Hobart. The same thing: they really supported me very well. I'm excited for this one," she said.
Joint’s opponent, Jessica Pegula, was all compliments for the young Aussie.
"[She] seems like a really good, young, talented player. Obviously coming here, nothing to lose, wildcard. Also with a lot of confidence, especially from last week. I think it's going to be a really tough match."
Experience the perfect blend of passion and performance at Racquet World, the ultimate destination for tennis enthusiasts throughout Australia. Explore their extensive selection of Tennis, Padel, and Pickleball gear. For all First Serve listeners by entering the code TFS2025 you will receive 15% off the RRP on all non-sale items at their online store - www.racquetworld.com.au
Comments