Melbourne

Williams, Nadal Are Welcome Company On Our TV Screens

WASHINGTON, January 28, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) With less than two weeks to go before the Australian Open begins on Feb. 8 in Melbourne, some of the biggest tennis stars are popping up on American and worldwide TV screens to drum […]

Ashleigh Barty on 2021 Season: ‘We’re Ready To Go’

WASHINGTON, January 27, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) As the 2021 Australian Open in Melbourne comes into focus – it starts in less than two weeks – much attention will be on World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty, who will play her first tournament […]

Yastremska Denied In Bid To Lift Provisional Doping Ban

WASHINGTON, January 24, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska flew to Australia last week in the hope of having her provisional doping suspension for using a prohibited substance that can be used to boost testosterone lifted by the International […]

Andy Murray ‘Gutted’ He Won’t Be Playing In Melbourne

WASHINGTON, January 23, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) Five-time Australian Open finalist Andy Murray will not play in next month’s first major of the 2021 season. On Friday, the British No. 4 Murray admitted he was“gutted” to admit his setback in his bit […]

Francesca Jones & Laura Robson: A Tale Of Two British

WASHINGTON, January 22, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) While British No. 5 Francesca Jones is feeling blessed these days, after qualifying for the Australian Open last week in Dubai – her first Grand Slam main draw – former British No. 1 Laura […]

Djokovic Pens Open Letter To Australia To Clear The Air

WASHINGTON, January 21, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is never one to shy away from speaking his mind and sometimes it stirs controversy. Earlier this week, Djokovic presented a list of suggestions – some called them […]

In Strict Quarantine: An Open Letter From Vika

WASHINGTON, January 20, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka is among 72 players who are in a strict quarantine after arriving in Melbourne on three flights that included COVID-19 positive passengers. The World No. 13 from […]

Tennis Remembers And Celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.

WASHINGTON, January 19, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) On Monday, past and present tennis players such as Billie Jean King, Frances Tiafoe and Coco Gauff; U.S. universities and tennis institutions and governing bodies paused to remember and celebrate the American civil […]

Mayhem in Melbourne: Have Things Gotten Out Of Control?

WASHINGTON, January 18, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) While no players have tested positive for the coronavirus since arriving in Melbourne, about 20 percent of the entire Australian Open field are under strict lockdown for 14 days. That’s because the 72 […]

COVID Chaos: Number Of Players Under Lockdown Now 72

WASHINGTON, January 17, 2021 (by Michael Dickens) As Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley appeared on Australian TV Sunday explaining how he and the AO organizing committee are trying to make “a bad situation better,” there are now 72 players confined […]