Grand Slam

Barty Gave Australian Open The Homegrown Champion It Craved

MELBOURNE/WASHINGTON, January 30, 2022 (by Michael Dickens) Ashleigh Barty gave the Australian Open the champion it had been craving – a homegrown one – who is now a Grand Slam champion on clay, grass and hard court. It took 44 […]

Let The Barty Party Begin! Barty Wins Australian Open

MELBOURNE/WASHINGTON, January 29, 2022 (by Michael Dickens) Australia has an Australian Open singles champion once again. Their 44-year drought is finally over. Let the Barty Party begin! Saturday evening in Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, top-seeded Ashleigh Barty defeated No. 27 […]

An Unexpected Melbourne Fortnight Leaves Nadal Playing For History

MELBOURNE/WASHINGTON, January 29, 2022 (by Michael Dickens) History will be on the line when Rafael Nadal walks out on Rod Laver Arena Sunday evening to face Daniil Medvedev in the men’s singles final of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Nadal, […]

Nadal, Medvedev Set To Meet In Australian Open Final

MELBOURNE/WASHINGTON, January 28, 2022 (by Michael Dickens) Over his nearly 20-year career as professional, Rafael Nadal‘s philosophy can be summed up in nine tidy words: “We need to suffer, and we need to fight.” No words were truer spoken but […]

Late-Night Lessons Learned For Auger-Aliassime At Australian Open

MELBOURNE/WASHINGTON, January 27, 2022 (by Michael Dickens) Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime proved there’s no shame in losing. Sometimes, it stings at first, like it must have felt after he squandered a two-sets-to-none lead and lost a thrilling five-set Australian Open quarterfinal […]

Quest for 21st Major Title Remains Alive For Nadal

MELBOURNE/WASHINGTON, January 25, 2022 (by Michael Dickens) Rafael Nadal battled his way to victory Tuesday afternoon at the Australian Open like he’s done 1,035 times previously in his storied career, with grit and fight – and plenty of determination, too. […]