By Scoop Malinowski We've only seen the beginning impact of the Tennys Sandgren phenomenon which erupted in Melbourne and sent major shockwaves through the ATP World Tour. There is no doubt that handfuls of ATP Challenger grinders keenly observed Sandgren's sensational run in Melbourne and are inspired by it. Continue to read full article...

Taylor Fritz

Former teen sensation Michelle Larcher De Brito returned to action this week in the $100,000 Midland Michigan ITF event but she lost in the first round of qualifying rounds to Usue Maitane Arconada 57 64 46. The 25 year old Larcher De Brito, born in Portugal but based in Bradenton, FL, last played in July of last year, losing 36 46 to Ellen Perez in Gatineau, Quebec. Continue to read full article...

Michelle Larcher De Brito · WTA

  By Scoop Malinowski Status: 2018 Australian Open junior boys champion. ATP ranking is 842. Ht: 6-4 Wt: 183 DOB: July 5, 2000 In: Bradenton, FL First Tennis Memory: "I actually hit my first tennis ball on these courts when I was three or four. With my dad. (Note: Interview was conducted at El Conquistador Tennis Club in Bradenton, FL site of the 2017 Sarasota Open ATP Challenger.) Tennis Inspirations: "My dad (Petr) always inspired me. I always loved watching Nadal. He always inspires me." Continue to read full article...

Australian Open · Korda · Nike · Petr Korda · Sebastian Korda · Sebi Korda · Wilson

By Scoop Malinowski Australian Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt selected Alex Deminaur, Nick Kyrgios John Peers and Jordan Thompson to represent Australia in their coming tie vs Germany this weekend. It's not an entirely understandable decision by captain Hewitt as Thompson has an 0-3 match record on the year and is struggling with confidence issues. Continue to read full article...

Australia · Davis Cup · Hewitt · Kokkinakis

Status: Former 1998 Australian Open champion. Winner of ten ATP singles titles including 1993 Grand Slam Cup. Early Tennis Memory: "Goes way back to '71 or '72 when I started. I remember I was playing with some friends on the back court and they want to make a picture on the court with my dad. And he had to pull the net down because the net was higher than I was [smiles]." Pre-Match Feeling: "My mindset? Geez, I don't even remember, how was it? Just always put some kind of strategy of what I wanted to do." Continue to read full article...

AO · ATP · Bradenton · Petr Korda

By Scoop Malinowski Roger Federer hasn't lost a set at this Australian Open. He's practically breezed through the draw at age 36, exhibiting a form that may be the very best we've ever seen from this most extraordinary champion. Everything is working in the Federer arsenal, to the point that the master himself said after defeating Hyeon Chung in the semifinal that his game is operating at the maximum, optimum level right now and there's no need to improve anything in the final against Marin Cilic, whom Federer defeated comfortably in the Wimbledon final in 2017. Continue to read full article...

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By Scoop Malinowski Simona Halep is the no. 1 ranked player in the world. She's won all six of her matches in the Australian Open and is two sets away from winning her first major title. She's the best in the world at what she does - but Simona Halep does not have an shoe or clothing sponsorship contract with any company. Continue to read full article...

AO · Romania · Simona Halep

Controversy continues at the AO By J.Belcourt Melbourne, Australia - Controversy continued at the Australian Open following the shock exit of world no.1 Rafael Nadal in his quarter-final matchup against world no6. Marin Cilic. In what can only be described as ‘unfortunate’ circumstances, the Spaniard dramatically announced his retirement citing a leg injury in the fifth set decider whilst trailing 3-6,6-3,6-7,6-2,0-2. Prior to this point, Nadal had won the first and third sets but had taken a medical time out in the fourth set when faced 1-4 down. When questioned about the injury onset, the 31 year was surprisingly vague in his answer and only recalls experiencing fatigue in the lead-up. He explained “I am very sorry but I really cannot remember now. Start to feel the muscle little bit tired in the third, but playing normal, no limits, no limitation. Then in the fourth at one movement, one drop-shot I think, I felt something, but I didn’t realize how bad, how bad was what’s going on in that moment.” Continue to read full article...

"VAMOS!" · AO · injury · Nadal · Nike

by Louise Belcourt Melbourne, Australia - When Novak Djokovic entered the draw in this year’s first grand slam, no one knew what to expect. Having not played an official match since retiring with a right elbow injury in the Wimbledon quarter finals in July, he was completely underdone in terms of match play. Although, we all recall how Roger Federer also had 6 months off after Wimbledon the previous year and was able to re-capture the form and title that had been so elusive for many years. So being much younger, only 30, and with such an impeccable record of 6 Australian Open titles (only Roy Emerson has as many titles), he was still a strong title contender in many eyes. Continue to read full article...

AO · Djokovic

By Scoop Malinowski Johan Kriek, two time winner in Australia, has been watching Sebi Korda rip through the junior boys draw and likes what he sees. Kriek said 1998 Australian Open champ Petr Korda's son is a future top ten ATP player. Continue to read full article...

AO · Chung · Courier · Davis Cup · Sandgren