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.”

Australian Open · Korda · Petr Korda · Sebi Korda

By Scoop Malinowski

Nick Kyrgios had just lost to Grigor Dimitrov. His dream to win his first major was shattered. It was probably the worst, most excruciating moment of his career. To be playing the best tennis of his life with an entire nation vehemently supporting and backing his Herculean efforts…fighting with every ounce of passion and fury he could muster, only to helplessly watch Dimitrov’s running forehand winner at 4-6 in the fourth set tiebreaker end the epic showdown 67 67 64 67.

Head bowed, mind spinning, heart burning, eyes deadened, body limp, Kyrgios strode to the net a defeated man. Instead of the perfunctory, hollow handshake, Kyrgios showed his unpredictable nature yet again.

AO · Australian Open · Kyrgios · Nike · Yonex

By Jayita Belcourt

In front of a packed Rod Laver arena crowd on Friday night, Australia’s Nick Kyrgios has shown not only is he a force to be reckoned with, but one to inspire the world too. With Hollywood star Will Smith watching courtside, it took the 22 year-old just over 3 hours to despatch his 3rd round French opponent, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-6(6), 7-6(5).

Not a usual day in the office for the brash Aussie, candidly admitting his elation and surprise at having his idol peering on.

AO · Australian Open · Nick Kyrgios

By Scoop Malinowski

If you haven’t seen the highlights or the actual Tennys Sandgren vs Max Marterer match yet, go to the Australian Open site and see the highlights. What you are going to see is going to impress you. Or blow you out of the water.

" Tennys Sandgren · AO · Australian Open

By Scoop Malinowski

Each Grand Slam certain players inch closer to fulfilling their dreams and their potentials, while others float away, farther and farther away from being contenders and challengers for the big titles.
Each tournament is a constant ebb and flow.

It’s not yet known what direction Ivo Karlovic, a month away from age 39, is heading. In the second round yesterday, the oldest man in the draw won a marathon 76 67 75 46 12-10 epic vs Yuichi Sugita.

AO · Australian Open

By Scoop Malinowski

Saw three players wearing primarily all white – Shuai Zhang (Nike), Belinda Bencic (Yonex) and Matthew Ebden (Fila).

Pink seems to be the dominant color this year for Nike, with Kyrgios, Dimitrov, Sela, Nadal heavily pinking out.

AO · Australian Open · pink

Sloane looking sharp early leading the always dangerous Shaui Zhang, up a set and 2-3. Stephens has not won a match since the US Open final.

Looking forward to some big matches today: Tsitsipas vs Shapovalov, Sock vs Sugita, Nadal vs Estrella, Isner vs Ebden, Anderson vs Edmund, Cuevas vs Youzhny, Ostapenko vs Schiavone

AO · Australian Open

By Scoop Malinowski

The top seed and ATP world no. 1 Rafael Nadal lost an epic five setter last year in the final to Roger Federer despite being up 3-1 in the fifth set, but the 31-year-old lefty has not played an official match yet this year and his last match was a loss in three sets at the ATP World Tour Finals to no. 7 seed David Goffin.

Roger Federer, the world no. 2 and defending champion, looked sharp in winning all four of his matches at Hopman Cup two weeks ago. The 36-year-old Swiss, who has won in Melbourne five times, is the odds-on favorite to conquer again.

Australian Open · Kyrgios · Rafa Nadal · Roger Federer

Serena Williams recently married and gave birth to her first baby, but her tennis career is still on the backburner behind family priorities. The 2017 Australian Open champion has not decided if she will attempt her much-anticipated comeback in Melbourne in January, to defend her title.

Serena’s longtime coach Patrick Mouratoglou told CNN this week that he is scheduled to join the 36 year old, 23-time Grand Slam champion for training in Florida where it will be decided if she is sufficiently prepared to play the Australian Open, which is set for January 15-28th.

Australian Open · comeback · Serena Williams