A retired star tipped Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic to ‘throw punches’ (Image: Getty)
Thunder and torrential rain hit the opening day of the Australian Open.
The self-styled Happy Slam saw fans running for cover as action on the outside courts was suspended after less than an hour. Play will not resume before 6pm local time (7am UK time).
Sonay Kartal, the only British singles player scheduled to play today, is among the players waiting to get out on court.
Later matches have been cancelled but the three covered courts in Melbourne Park have guaranteed some action with Zheng Qinwen, Arthur Fils, Mirra Andreeva and Donna Vekic winning through.
The first Grand Slam of the season switching to a Sunday start last year – the first round is played over three days – will allow the tournament to catch up the matches.
Nick Kyrgios has declared he is fit to play British No.3 Jacob Fearnley on a busy second day.
And an Aussie TV analyst has claimed: “There might even be punches thrown” when Andy Murray coaches Novak Djokovic for the first time on Monday.
Arthur Fils wasn’t happy with his performance despite winning his opening match (Image: YouTube Australian Open)
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Olympic champion quotes Billie Jean King
China’s Zheng Qinwen reached the final here last year and then claimed Olympic gold in Paris. But the No.5 seed needed nearly two hours to get past Romanian qualifier Anca Todoni 7-6 6-1 in the first match in the Rod Laver Arena.
Asked about the increased expectation in 2025, Zheng said: “Of course there starts to be more and more pressure. But at the same time it is also pushing me to be a better person and better athlete. And I think I deal well with the pressure and like to play with pressure
And as Billie Jean King says: ‘Pressure is a privilege and I love this sentence. So let’s keep going with this pressure.”
Arthur Fils was not impressed by his performance
The world No.20 became the first man to reach the second round of men’s singles when he beat Finland’s Ottoe Virtanen 3-6 7-6 6-4 6-4 under the roof in the Margaret Court Arena.
But the Frenchman, who had to come back from a break down in the second set, told the crowd in his courtside interview: “I was playing like s***”
Donna Vekic pays tribute to LA victims
Last year’s Wimbledon semi-finalist lost in the first round here 12 months ago but the Croat beat France’s Diane Parry 6-4 6-4 today.
And the No.18 seed then wrote a heart and “LA” on the courtside TV camera
Mirra Andreeva gave an insight into her eating habits (Image: Getty)
Mirra Andreeva’s teenage licks
The No.14 seed beat Czech Marie Bouzkova 6-3 6-3 in the opening match in the John Cain Arena – and then revealed her superstitious eating habits.
The Russian, 17, said: “It’s actually pretty complicated to work with me, because if I start the tournament eating chicken and rice, well, I cannot change after. I cannot take pasta or I cannot take anything else. I will always take chicken and rice.
“I have a pretty special thing. I like to eat rice with a bit of parmesan cheese on top. I don’t know. I have never seen anyone doing that, but I really like it.
“At the start of the tournament, if I start like this, I’ve got to continue like this. Even if I’m tired, I have no choice, but I have to eat it.”
Nick Kyrgios shared an injury update ahead of his first match (Image: Getty)
Kyrgios is “OK” to return to his home Grand Slam
The former world No.13 has not played the Australian Open since 2022 because of wrist and knee injuries.
And his return this year has been threatened by an abdominal strain suffered in training. Kyrgios is scheduled to face British No.3 Jacob Fearnley in a potentially rowdy contest in the John Cain Arena on Monday.
And after a practice hit on Court 16 before the rain with 16-year-old Cruz Hewitt, he told fans his injury will not stop him playing. “It’s OK,” he said.
Millman predicts a “battle” between Djokovic and Murray
New rules allowing coaching during matches has seen the player boxes in the Rod Laver Arena moved nearer to the players on the edge of the court.
Murray will be part of Djokovic’s coaching team for the first time when the 10-time champion here faces American teenage wildcard Nishesh Basavareddy in first match in the Monday evening session in the Rod Laver Arena.
And former world No.33 John Millman, who is now part of the Channel 7 commentary team, is anticipating fireworks between the two 37-year-olds.
Millman claimed the Serbian superstar’s decision to hire Murray “is a clear indication that Novak wants to return to his best”.
But the Aussie added: “Andy was known to strafe his box and Novak does not hold back
I can’t wait to see the battle between them. There might even be punches thrown!”