January 28, 2023 • 28 mins
Aryna Sabalenka is crowned Australian Open women’s champion after a come-from-behind win over Elena Rybakina — the Belarusian chats to The AO Show about her life-changing achievement, our Round Table experts analyse the women’s final and preview the men’s final between history-chasing Novak Djokovic and battle-ready Stefanos Tsitsipas, the ‘Ice Brothers’ Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler cap a magical campaign in the men’s doubles final, plus we go behind the scenes of Rod Laver Arena with court announcer James Sherry.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Championship points again for the fourth time. She serves down
the middle of the forehand is really good again from
reparkaoner she goes across cold Reparka. It's met by Sablenka.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Oh that's to day.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Hello everyone and welcome to the AO Show for Day
thirteen of the Australian Open. It is women's final night
and the champions continue to be crowned. Here's what's coming up,
Sablenka Supreme.
Speaker 4 (00:42):
I don't know how to explain, not since it's like
the best day of my life right now.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Bring it on, Sinsipus, ready to take on the best.
Speaker 5 (00:49):
All you have to be prepared for it is for
hardship and for suffering. When you're up there.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
The Ice brothers stay cool to win the doubles final.
Speaker 6 (00:57):
We teamed up for this tournament's two weeks later.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Now we're got this trophy and we go behind the
scenes with the Rod Labor Arena court announcer.
Speaker 7 (01:04):
The kid who was going to do the coin toss
hasn't turned up.
Speaker 8 (01:07):
Can you do it for us one hundred?
Speaker 3 (01:12):
That's all ahead on the AO Show Arena. Sablenka is
the Australian Open Women's champion, coming from a set down
to triumph over Elena Rebeikener. Sablenka made a shaky start,
double faulting in the opening point. She managed to hold,
(01:32):
but Rebeikner drew first blood.
Speaker 9 (01:34):
Two games later, Sablenka to the tea and the foehand
of Rebeccona. The four hundreds long from Sablenka, no reaction,
just bumps the ball behind her, and no reaction from
Rebecca Arriva. But that has got to feel good.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
By the eighth game, the Belarusian had won just two
points on return, but then managed to win three in
a row with some timely winners to snatch back the break.
Speaker 9 (01:55):
And Rebeccona will serve into the body again. Sablenka drives
the forehand deep to the feet and she slices the
backhand on the run. Rebeccona approaches behind a slice and
sabal Anka a nail the backhand down the line, pops
her fist and roars in the direction of her camp.
She is leveled up this opening set at four games all.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
It was only momentary jubilation, though a sable Anka's double
fault demons returned in the next game and the match
was back on the Kuzaks terms.
Speaker 9 (02:22):
Hopefully lands the second delivery. No, she's missed it. It's
a double fault and she has gift wrapped the break
back to her opponent. After fighting so hard to get
back on level.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
Terms, Rebikener held to love to close out the first
set as the fifth seed netted ball after balls.
Speaker 9 (02:38):
Three set points and she only needs one. She does
not break stride Elena Rebeccina as she heads to the
change of vands. That was an ice cool finish.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
The Kuzak looked like she was heading for an early night,
up three break points on Sablenka's serve in the opening
game of the second set, but the Belarusian managed to
claw her way back, employing her powerful forehand to force
Rebeikener errors.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
Sablenka serves backhand from Rebeccina. She really lent into that
good depth from Sabolenka, well defended by Rebeccina. Rebeccina then
makes the forehand going back centrally in the court. But
that's brilliant from Sablenka, deep down into the forehand corner
of Rebeccona and she could not.
Speaker 10 (03:17):
Deal with that.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
And facing a couple of break points arena, Sabolenka does
hold firm.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
As the rallies extended. Sablenka held her nerve to make
inroads on her opponent.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
Serve Sablenka with a break point and she waits to receive.
This goes with the backand right back at Rebeccona, who
pushes a forehand well long beyond the baseline and arena.
Sabolenka gets her nose in front. In the second sets.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
But Rebeikener also brought pressure on return, leading to a
seven minute juice game at three to one. Sebolenka had
been leading the win account all match, and it finally
looked like it, smashing a cross court winner and an
ace to hold firm.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
Sablenka serves save the ace.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
You heard it from a before I can open my mouth, senior.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
It was an ace straightaway and she holds off the
challenge of Elena Rebeccina.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
The Belarusian battled to retain the break with twelve juice games.
In the second set, Rebikner pulled out an ace and
a backhand winner to save three set points, but Sablenka
had her measure, firing down two consecutive aces to hold
and claim the second set.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
The crowd is just utterly entranced as Sablenka serves an
ace brilliantly. That's terrific stuff from Arena Sablenka as she
shows her metal, and we are going the distance. In
the women's singles final tonight.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
As the match wore on, the contest intensified, but the
decider remained on Serve until the eighth game. Rebikner served
a one ninety three kilometer per hour thunderbolt and saved
three break points, but Sablenka calmly dispatched an overhead smash
and put a chink in the Coazackh's armor.
Speaker 11 (04:57):
Can she do it now? Break point number three?
Speaker 1 (05:00):
Nearly six and a half minutes in this game, it's
break point again for Arena serves onto the back end
of Sabalenka. Was on the half Volly Rebeccon. I did
really well, but she's stranded. Puts up a defensive ball.
She's still in this what's the smash?
Speaker 6 (05:12):
Like?
Speaker 12 (05:12):
Yes, she breaks sab Arena Sablenka slams it away and
is that the critical moment of this women's final.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
The weight of the championship laid heavy on Sabolenka's serve
on her first championship point at forty thirty, she double
faulted and screamed to the heavens. She smacked a winner
to open up a second championship point, but an unforced
error brought things back to deuce. Then a shallow cross
caught forehand from rebaik and I gave her a break point.
(05:45):
It quickly evaporated with a netted forehand. Another unforced eraror
from Sabolenka meant she had to smash her down the
line winner to open up a fourth championship point.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
Arena Sabalenka championship point again for the fourth time. He
serves down the middle of the forehand. Is really good
again from Rebecca. Now she goes cross court, Rebecca, it's
met by sable Anka.
Speaker 12 (06:06):
Oh that's too tight, that's too tap from Rebecca.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
That arena sabal Ancha collapses.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
I'm rob blake Rarena shaking with the.
Speaker 13 (06:15):
Emotion, not having broken throw all the serving woes.
Speaker 12 (06:20):
The anxiety is coming out about right now.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
She is the Australian Open Champion.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Sabolenka recording seventeen aces and blasting fifty one winners to
win four six six three six four in two hours
and twenty eight minutes.
Speaker 4 (06:36):
I don't know how to explain just the best seriously,
not since it's like the best day of my life
right now. I mean, I always had this weird feeling
that when people would come to me and ask for signature,
I would i would think, like, why you're asking for signature.
I'm like, I'm just the player. I'm just I'm like nobody.
I don't have a grand slam on all this stuff.
And I just changed how I feel like. I start
(07:00):
respect myself more, you know, I start to understand that
actually I'm here because I work so hard and I'm
actually a good player.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
Ultimately, Rebeke and I was unable to find the solutions
to the problems sable Ancor posed.
Speaker 14 (07:15):
Not many girls can put me really under the pressure.
And against her, it's not easy because she has a
great surf and she plays really aggressive. Her ball is
coming very heavy, and yeah, there is maybe a few
girls who plays like this, and I just know that
I have to serve well. And it's also pressure in
the end, and as soon as I have an opportunity
(07:39):
to take it, and today I had some opportunities didn't
take so that the image didn't go my way.
Speaker 7 (07:45):
Well.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
While Rebeke and I was completing her press commitments the
New Champion Arena, Sablenka was on a whirlwind media tour,
completing all of her interviews, including with our own Josh Martin. Josh,
what was the New Champion like when you sat down
with it?
Speaker 6 (07:58):
Oh?
Speaker 15 (07:58):
Well, she was over the moon, plugging her trophy around,
she had a glass of sparkling in hand, and she
was a complete contrast to the play that we saw
the part album Park just twelve months ago.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
I think because of the last year the Australian opened,
I became a better version of myself and a better player,
and they, I think it's just two different players.
Speaker 15 (08:21):
And newspapers are currently the printing the front page the
picture is you with the trophy? What do you think
the headline should be?
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Oh? I don't know.
Speaker 4 (08:30):
It's a tough question.
Speaker 11 (08:31):
What should they say?
Speaker 4 (08:33):
That's just crazy and unbelievable to understand that I'm a
Grand Slam champion and then that my picture will be there.
And then if I would write a story about myself,
that I would say that I'm a hard worker and
and yeah, and that she's this girl been through so
(08:54):
many tough moments and then she she falls through it
and she she is a Grand Slam champion, which is unbelievable.
Speaker 15 (09:02):
Those four championship points take me through those thoughts and emotions.
Speaker 4 (09:08):
I was super nervous. I was almost like shaken on
the court, and I was just kept telling myself that
that's okay. Nobody gonna give it easy for you, so
you have to work for it, and uh and yeah,
that's it. I was still shaken after the match for
like for another ten minutes. I think.
Speaker 15 (09:26):
Last year you were played that had four hundred and
twenty eight double faults. How does a player like that
go to winning the first Grand Slam of the next
calendar year.
Speaker 4 (09:36):
Oh, that's that's pretty crazy. And uh yeah through hard work,
you though.
Speaker 3 (09:47):
It was a battle worthy of a championship match, and
a deserving winner held the trophy aloft at the end
of the day.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
Joining me at the.
Speaker 3 (09:54):
Roundtable today to dissect sableincaus win commentator Jill Crabis and
gig analyst Simon Right and Jill. It started with a
double fault for Sebolenka and sort of heart in your
mouth moments at times throughout that match, but she was
a deserving winner.
Speaker 11 (10:09):
Yeah. Absolutely.
Speaker 10 (10:10):
I thought it was a very high quality match from
both We knew there weren't going to be a lot
of long points. They both both hit with such power
and pays off the ground, so we knew there are
going to be a lot of long rallies.
Speaker 11 (10:21):
It was going to come down to the motions.
Speaker 10 (10:23):
I was thinking, Okay, we know Rebakina has that Wimbledon title,
so she has a little bit more experience of coming through.
But Sabolenka has been through so much. She's been to
a few semifinals and Grand Slams. She showed in those
semifinals in the past that she got overwhelmed by the pressure.
Speaker 11 (10:37):
She even admitted it.
Speaker 10 (10:38):
So today, that's why there were so many emotions at
the end. She was able to get through and it
was just great to see.
Speaker 11 (10:45):
I think.
Speaker 10 (10:45):
I know it was a little bit of a tense
last game, but she held her nerves so well.
Speaker 11 (10:49):
I think what really.
Speaker 10 (10:50):
Impressed me was that she kept taking her time, and
her team in the box was getting very animated. They
were showing a lot of fire and passion, but she
just kept so focused. She didn't look up a few
times and just stayed on her side of the court,
and I thought she did a phenomenal job.
Speaker 11 (11:06):
Mentally.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Wow, what a final, I thought from a level perspective
in terms of ball striking and weapons and you know,
the entertainment or the battle that was on display, I
thought it was as good a final as I can
recall seeing at the Australian Open. I thought it was
an outstanding final, outstanding contest, and I think, as we
mentioned last night John in previewing the match, I think
it's kind of justice for Arena Sabolenka and what a
(11:29):
competitor and what a mentally tough, resilient, determined performance it's
been not just tonight, but if you put it in
rewe and look back twelve months and then played that
journey out across the corresponding twelve month period, and it
comes to that kind of crowning glory moment tonight, and
I think that's really really richly deserved. And I think
(11:50):
we've seen growth in spades from her in that department.
So I have a brief look at the numbers from
a first couple of sets perspective anyway, and set one,
if you look look at the serving numbers, from Sabolenka's perspective,
she's quite predictable in what happens, so she serves tea
a lot of the time. She doesn't have a bad
serving set by any street. She serves at sixty percent.
She serves tea and rebike In starts to get a
(12:12):
bit of a read I think on what's going on,
which leads to some of the pressure she's able to
create when you flip that around. So when you have
a look at rebiken is serving numbers and set one,
sixty seven percent of her first serves are unreturned. Sabolenka,
by contrast, she's thirty nine percent. It's not a bad
serving set from Sabolenka, but there's a big contrast there.
We knew going in tonight that second serve return one
(12:32):
for both of these women was going to be a
KPI really important. They both want to intimidate, they both
want to come at their opponents. They both want to
dictate in slightly different ways. Rebikena wants to get inside
the baseline takeaway time. Sabalink is prepared to hold back
just a little bit more to create a little more
time to do damage with her forehand. Sablenka in set one,
makes twenty five percent of her returns in terms of
(12:54):
second serve return one percentage, sorry, twenty five percent, Rebikener
forty three percent. So those are the fine margins that
you're playing with, and in a match that's not decided
by very much, I think there's some really significant numbers
across the first couple of sets.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
Okay, and fourhand heaviness. How much of a factor was
that tonight?
Speaker 2 (13:10):
Well, please, you asked about that, because in set two
things start to change, so the serve numbers come out
in the wash a little bit more. It's a really good,
solid serving set from both players. But the sabal Linka
foehand starts to get to work. And you know, we've
been in awe of the ball striking of reebaikn A
across the course of the fortnite, but here comes to
Saballeinka foehand, and in set too it's almost building, and
set three it reaches the crescendo. It's the dominant shot
(13:33):
on the court. And we've meant to mentioned the mental
toughness component as well. So moves past serving sixteen double
faults across the course of the Knight, Sabolinka is able
to bury that, put it behind her and move on,
and she starts to dominate the court with her forehand.
So in set one, in terms of all the ground
strokes available to her, she finds her fourhand forty four
percent of the time. In set two she finds it
fifty four percent of the time. Again, think about fine margins,
(13:55):
not a lot in this she's getting more fourhands. Of
those fourhands. In set one, Sabalinka is directing fifty five percent,
so more often than not she's going at the rebike
in a backhand corner. And set too she changes though
it's down to thirty six percent at the rebuke in
the backhand corner. So therefore it's sixty four percent going
to the rebike and fourhand corner. And that's the side
that starts to break down a little bit. It's the
(14:16):
rebiken of foehand across the course of the match that
starts to cough up a few more errors in my
opinion anyway, And I think the numbers buried up, but
I'll check with the expert here.
Speaker 11 (14:24):
Yeah, that's absolutely right.
Speaker 10 (14:25):
I mean, rebekking a look is solid on both sides,
but it is the forehand that can cause her some trouble,
and I think Sablenka knew that before the match, and
it's about making those small adjustments. But I think Sabalanca's
strategy in the beginning was sometimes you have to go
to the strength in order to open up the weakness,
and so that might have been part of the strategy,
is to try and get rebuccing out wide so she
can pressure that forehand side. But obviously she got a
(14:49):
little bit smarter, had more time. I think also the
fact that she got more consistent because she wasn't as
consistent in the first set off the ground, and she
got more consistent as the match went on, found that rhythm,
so she actually was able to get behind the ball
a little bit better and be able to redirect it
to the fourhand side, So that that was a big difference.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
You know, the serve and returns stuff. It ends up
being fairly level. I think the numbers come out in
the wash there, but what starts to play out across
the course of the match, so short rallies one we
spoke about it coming out in the wash seventy five
to seventy six. So rebikn a seventy five, Sabalinka seventy six.
That's shots that are ended within four points within four
shots sorry, medium rallies one, so five to eight shots
in the point, it's a smashing. It's one way traffic
(15:29):
for sable linkor it's the Sabalinka fourhand getting it done.
It's twenty six to Sabolenka, fourteen to Rubeikener and long
rallies one. Actually when the point goes beyond that, so
nine plus shots, it's seven apiece. So it really is
I think the fourhand factor from Saberlenka that tilts the
scales in her favor and leads to, in my opinion,
being the decisive factor to her holding up her maiden
(15:50):
grands Name Trophy, Championship points.
Speaker 16 (15:57):
Hija Kata will serve nice back put away by Kubler.
No Zelenski's their back end bollie again by Kubler, weld
on lease at the end he's gonna put it away.
No Kubler goes out on the top TASKI rags Kubler
gets there, put tight to put it away.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
He the cut has fallen over. So let's get best
the bow.
Speaker 3 (16:13):
And unbelievable Fat's points, Ozzie wild Cards, Rinky, Hijecutter and
Jason Kubler have defied the odds to secure the men's
doubles championship, replicating last year's feat by the Special K's.
The Ice Brothers broke Hugo Nice and Yan Zelinski to
love in the third game of the match and held
the margin to claim the first set. The second was
(16:35):
a tighter affair, with no player budging on serve in
a frenzied tie break. The Ossies held him any break,
lost it then swiftly regained it all within the space
of five points, putting themselves in reach of the championship.
At five to four, they brought up match point and
then the most remarkable point of the match, a dramatic
thirteen shot rally going the way of Hijecutter and Kubler.
Speaker 6 (16:58):
Yeah, Ricky and I definitely didn't think this was happening
in two weeks ago, so a bit of a pleasant surprise.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
I should say.
Speaker 6 (17:08):
He was actually the reason we teamed up for this tournament.
I wasn't sure if I was going to play or
on and then rink he asked me. Then yeah, I
decided to play it. Then geez, two weeks later, now
we've got this trophy.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
So big thank you to Rinky.
Speaker 6 (17:23):
Yeah. I couldn't have ever imagined this, but jeez, am
I glad that you said yes to playing with me
a couple of months ago.
Speaker 11 (17:31):
Yeah, I don't know.
Speaker 15 (17:32):
That's just unreal.
Speaker 3 (17:36):
Looking ahead now to Day fourteen and the men's final,
Novak Djokovic on the verge of extending his record of
currently nine Australian Open titles. Standing in his way Stephanos Citsipas.
It's a thirteenth career meeting between the pair duel, but
the last nine have gone the way of the Serb.
Speaker 10 (17:53):
Yeah, so Djokovic obviously is the favorite.
Speaker 11 (17:56):
I do think that tit Surpass has the game to
beat him.
Speaker 12 (18:00):
Now.
Speaker 10 (18:00):
I know this is Novak's court pretty much, but there's
always a first and I'm not I.
Speaker 11 (18:06):
Mean I do.
Speaker 10 (18:07):
Obviously Djokovic is favored in this matchup, but I feel
like Sitsipass has been playing very, very well. It's it's
the most I would say authoritative that I've seen him,
like in command out there. He's not getting those slight
moments of emotions that overtake him sometimes. I think he's
looked I guess similar to Sablanca, who's really kind of
(18:27):
honed in a little bit, and I feel that way about.
Speaker 11 (18:29):
Sits Apass as well.
Speaker 10 (18:31):
There were moments, you know, against Hatchinoff where he was
trying to close it out in the third sett and
couldn't get a little tight. Understandably, that happens a lot
can happen, of course, but I think it's going to
be the same situation for him about being able to
handle the moment, being able to break through, because I
definitely feel like he has the game to beat Djokovic.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
I think we're all thinking Djokovic goes in as the
overwhelming favorite. So the conversation shifts really quickly to what
does Sitsipas need to do to give himself a chance.
I'll go through a few things that are kind of
front of mine. In me, he has to be able
to go with Novak early. You know, the moment and
the nerves and a Grand Slam final and the tension,
and you've heard Jill talk about it tonight a lot
with the women's final, and it's no different tomorrow up
(19:13):
with the men's file. Handling the moment's massive. Once Novak
gets to a fast art, so that notion of breaking early,
we know he goes on to win ninety six percent
of his sets across the last couple of years. So
that's that's trouble. If he's breaking you early, you're not
chasing him down, and he gets to set in the
bank and he's even harder to track down and set two, three,
four and beyond.
Speaker 3 (19:30):
Read Tommy Paul in.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
Exactly sits a pass has got to be able to
go with them early. In terms of the sets of
pass service game. I think it's an underrated part of
the sids A pass game. And when I'm having a
look at the numbers or the data, if you like,
because I'm trying to pick out patterns here with sits APAs,
it's really hard to do. The variety on the sits
APAs service game. No discernible pattern. So that's smart, right,
That's someone that knows every opponent in the world's doing
the homework and looking for a pattern and do you
(19:54):
like that one, or you prefer that one in this
score line, or this is your favorite one on break
point down. There's no real pattern there. And he's got capability.
He's got a bomb to all spots on the court,
so he's got to have a great serving night out.
I think he can be effective when he serves wide
to Novak. So I think he's got to be prepared
to serve wide, take Novak off the court. We know
how well Novak returns. And then he's got to take risks.
So he's got to take I think educated, calculated, considered
(20:16):
risk when he gets a look at a fourhand on
third ball, he's got to be prepared to really do
some damage with it, is what I believe. And then
I think there's the physical component. So sets a pass.
There's not many that can go with Novak physically, but
I think sit surpass is won. So if you have
a look at the numbers so far from a physical
perspective across the event, sets a pass is putting in
more sprints per match than Novak, more high intensity changes
(20:37):
of direction than Novak. So he's got to do two things.
He's got to pack his running shoes and be prepared
to keep those numbers up. There said s a pass,
and then he's got to make it physical for Novak
as well. So he's got to bring his weapons to
the table and ask some serious questions of Novak. Not
for three sets, but for four and five. I think
those are the things that I think of when I
think of previewing tomorrow night's.
Speaker 3 (20:56):
Match, Jill, what about in the psyche of these players.
Novak is been solid as steel across the last three
or four matches. But Sinceipass has said he's up for
the fight, he wants to play the best in the world.
Speaker 11 (21:08):
Yeah, I think he's ready.
Speaker 10 (21:10):
And obviously they played each other at role on Garros
and Citsipass had a match point in that final, so
I think that goes to show you that he has
the brains to do it, and I think he has
the brains to do it here. Even though Djokovic is
great on this court, is great at the Australian Open,
and I mean sis A Pass, He's going to be ready.
He's going to know what he has to do. I mean,
I agree with Simon. I also feel like you might
(21:31):
see sis A Pass trying to come forward a little
bit more. I think he's You're right, he's going to
be back on that backhand and he's been hitting that
return with some good depth, which is going to be
important against Djokovic. But he's going to have to reposition himself,
look to come forward, try and close some points off
at the net, which he's been fantastic at and he's
been doing it more and more often this tournament, which
(21:53):
is great to see because he has the capability of
doing it. But I think he looks to me, he
looks strong in the mind. He just has to know
that it's it's going to be a long match. He
has to be willing to stay in the fight for
really long periods of time.
Speaker 11 (22:04):
But I think he's proven that he can do it
with that role.
Speaker 10 (22:07):
On Garrow's final, Okay, it slipped away from him, but
he got to the position and that's important, so he
knows he can get there.
Speaker 2 (22:13):
Well, thank you.
Speaker 3 (22:13):
Both for your insights. Let's now hear from the men's finalists,
first City Pass and then Novak Djokovic.
Speaker 5 (22:20):
It's always a great feeling playing a Grand Slam final.
It's how would I describe it, perhaps one of those
golden moments in tennis where everyone is seeking for and
looking for in their career and I'm going all in.
There's no player that frightens me.
Speaker 10 (22:37):
You know.
Speaker 5 (22:38):
For me, the best stend is that can be played
by the opposition, by the other side of the court.
It automatically helps me become better. So whether it's a
let's say, looser game or a more tight game. I
think I'm going to learn a lot from both. And
you know, I actually like things that are actually tough
in life. I don't like the easy stuff. You know,
(23:00):
no one is working hard for the easy stuff, and
all you have to be prepared for is for hardship
and for suffering when you're out there.
Speaker 8 (23:08):
I think it's it's good. I mean, he has to,
you know, of course, believe in himself and trust his
abilities that he can win against against anybody. You know,
in this case, against me, He's going to try, of course,
you know, to to bring his best tennis and there's
a lot on the line for both of us. But
you know, for him it's first eventually, it's going to
(23:31):
be his second Grand Slam final, going for his first
Grand Slam title and going for number one in the world,
so arguably the match of his life. So it's it's
normal for me and to you know, to have to
hear him speak about himself with confidence and approach to
this match. And I don't see anything wrong, you know,
(23:51):
I've I've done that when Rafa and Roger were dominating
the tennis and I was kind of making my breakthrough
and saying that I can win against these guys, that
I believe that I'm stronger and there's nothing wrong in it.
Every time. Now at this stage of my career, when
I get to the Grand Slam Finals, you know, it
feels like, Okay, I don't know how many more opportunities
(24:14):
I'm going to have, so I might as well give
it all, really as I always do. But you know,
especially now, you know being thirty five is different and
you don't know how, as I said, how many more
chances you're going to have, So of course I'm blessed
to be in another finals. I've been playing some of
the best tennis that I've played in a recent month,
(24:36):
so you know, I look forward to a great challenge.
Speaker 3 (24:41):
If you've ever watched a match inside Rod Laver Arena,
you may have heard this next voice bellowing from the stadium.
PA producer Josh Martin went courtside at RLA to see
what it's like to be a court announcer at the
Australian Open.
Speaker 7 (24:54):
James Sherry, I'm the Knights court announcer at Rod Laver Arena.
Speaker 15 (24:59):
So what is the day, well, I should say, a
night look like for you? As a court announcer.
Speaker 7 (25:04):
So I get in here about four point thirty and
then we get our final notes, do our prep, make
sure that we've got all the scripting and the run
sheet as it's supposed to unfold for the night. And yeah,
then as the doors open here on Rod Laverna, the
people come in for the night session and I introduced
(25:24):
them to the court, welcome them, introduce the players, introduce
the show that's happening before the match, and then yeah,
give them. They introduce the players onto the court and
read out their bios so that everybody knows who's playing
and what they've done in the past.
Speaker 15 (25:38):
What do you think the best part of being a
court announcer.
Speaker 7 (25:40):
Is getting to watch the best tennis in the world
and getting paid to do it. Like I get to
court side for most of the tournament. It gets a
little the real estate gets a little bit tighter for
the finals, so I'm quite off and backstage for that.
But to be here and to be able to watch
this t and something, you know, last year I was
(26:02):
here when Ashbarty won her Australian Open, you know, to
be part of that, to be working there for that,
it's it's a great memory to have. You know, this
is the green room and this is Mal she's my
floor manager, so she's hello. She takes me through the night.
Speaker 9 (26:17):
So today we have Darren Hayes performing, so we're going
to do it as normal.
Speaker 6 (26:22):
After that we'll do that's.
Speaker 7 (26:24):
Darren Hayes, then housekeeping and then into standby for walk.
Speaker 15 (26:28):
Onst So what's on your iPad here?
Speaker 7 (26:31):
So my iPad? This is my script So tonight we've
got Darren Hayes before me, so I put his scripting
in there. The main part of the job is to
introduce the players onto court and to give the them
like a bio, to tell the crowd who they are,
what they've done as they're warming up. So I researched
all of that during the day and so I pop
(26:52):
that in there as well.
Speaker 2 (26:54):
Ready to go.
Speaker 7 (26:55):
Ok, what was your name?
Speaker 12 (26:56):
Said Bashti?
Speaker 7 (26:57):
Who do you play tennis?
Speaker 10 (26:58):
Yeah?
Speaker 11 (26:59):
I play ten good?
Speaker 1 (27:00):
Yea lumber one.
Speaker 3 (27:01):
Yeah, I'm very good.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
No, that's brilliant.
Speaker 17 (27:05):
Congratulations.
Speaker 7 (27:06):
We've got a bit of a problem. The kid who
was going to do the coin toss hasn't turned up.
Speaker 3 (27:13):
That mean, can you do it for us?
Speaker 5 (27:14):
One hundred ten?
Speaker 17 (27:18):
There you go.
Speaker 7 (27:19):
This is the coin.
Speaker 3 (27:21):
So that's the coin, I'm sure and you get to
keep it.
Speaker 8 (27:23):
So A kisses four.
Speaker 17 (27:26):
At this Australian Open, defeated Struff in straight sets, Davidovich
Fortuna in five, Brooksby in three, but Tista of Good
in five sets, and fellow countrymen dam Shelton in four
sets in the quarterfinals. Squirl on red.
Speaker 13 (27:42):
Please welcome to rod labor Arena. Two time French Open Champion,
three times, the US Open Champion seven time and current
women and champion nine time Australian Open Champion.
Speaker 2 (27:57):
Who number four?
Speaker 4 (28:00):
Shoko bitch?
Speaker 3 (28:04):
And so the sun sets on day thirteen with a
new women's champion written into the record books. Will we
see another new name on the men's trophy tomorrow or
will the Jokovic stranglehold continue? Join me again for Day
fourteen and the men's championship decider. And don't forget the
AO season is underway in the world's most popular mobile
tennis game, Tennis Clash. Download it today from the app store.
(28:26):
In the meantime, take this opportunity to subscribe and consider
rating and reviewing so more fans can enjoy the AO show.
Championship points again for the fourth time. She serves down
the middle of the forehand is really good again from
reparkaoner she goes across cold Reparka. It's met by Sablenka.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Oh that's to day.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Hello everyone and welcome to the AO Show for Day
thirteen of the Australian Open. It is women's final night
and the champions continue to be crowned. Here's what's coming up,
Sablenka Supreme.
Speaker 4 (00:42):
I don't know how to explain, not since it's like
the best day of my life right now.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Bring it on, Sinsipus, ready to take on the best.
Speaker 5 (00:49):
All you have to be prepared for it is for
hardship and for suffering. When you're up there.
Speaker 3 (00:54):
The Ice brothers stay cool to win the doubles final.
Speaker 6 (00:57):
We teamed up for this tournament's two weeks later.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Now we're got this trophy and we go behind the
scenes with the Rod Labor Arena court announcer.
Speaker 7 (01:04):
The kid who was going to do the coin toss
hasn't turned up.
Speaker 8 (01:07):
Can you do it for us one hundred?
Speaker 3 (01:12):
That's all ahead on the AO Show Arena. Sablenka is
the Australian Open Women's champion, coming from a set down
to triumph over Elena Rebeikener. Sablenka made a shaky start,
double faulting in the opening point. She managed to hold,
(01:32):
but Rebeikner drew first blood.
Speaker 9 (01:34):
Two games later, Sablenka to the tea and the foehand
of Rebeccona. The four hundreds long from Sablenka, no reaction,
just bumps the ball behind her, and no reaction from
Rebecca Arriva. But that has got to feel good.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
By the eighth game, the Belarusian had won just two
points on return, but then managed to win three in
a row with some timely winners to snatch back the break.
Speaker 9 (01:55):
And Rebeccona will serve into the body again. Sablenka drives
the forehand deep to the feet and she slices the
backhand on the run. Rebeccona approaches behind a slice and
sabal Anka a nail the backhand down the line, pops
her fist and roars in the direction of her camp.
She is leveled up this opening set at four games all.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
It was only momentary jubilation, though a sable Anka's double
fault demons returned in the next game and the match
was back on the Kuzaks terms.
Speaker 9 (02:22):
Hopefully lands the second delivery. No, she's missed it. It's
a double fault and she has gift wrapped the break
back to her opponent. After fighting so hard to get
back on level.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
Terms, Rebikener held to love to close out the first
set as the fifth seed netted ball after balls.
Speaker 9 (02:38):
Three set points and she only needs one. She does
not break stride Elena Rebeccina as she heads to the
change of vands. That was an ice cool finish.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
The Kuzak looked like she was heading for an early night,
up three break points on Sablenka's serve in the opening
game of the second set, but the Belarusian managed to
claw her way back, employing her powerful forehand to force
Rebeikener errors.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
Sablenka serves backhand from Rebeccina. She really lent into that
good depth from Sabolenka, well defended by Rebeccina. Rebeccina then
makes the forehand going back centrally in the court. But
that's brilliant from Sablenka, deep down into the forehand corner
of Rebeccona and she could not.
Speaker 10 (03:17):
Deal with that.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
And facing a couple of break points arena, Sabolenka does
hold firm.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
As the rallies extended. Sablenka held her nerve to make
inroads on her opponent.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
Serve Sablenka with a break point and she waits to receive.
This goes with the backand right back at Rebeccona, who
pushes a forehand well long beyond the baseline and arena.
Sabolenka gets her nose in front. In the second sets.
Speaker 3 (03:42):
But Rebeikener also brought pressure on return, leading to a
seven minute juice game at three to one. Sebolenka had
been leading the win account all match, and it finally
looked like it, smashing a cross court winner and an
ace to hold firm.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
Sablenka serves save the ace.
Speaker 3 (03:59):
You heard it from a before I can open my mouth, senior.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
It was an ace straightaway and she holds off the
challenge of Elena Rebeccina.
Speaker 3 (04:07):
The Belarusian battled to retain the break with twelve juice games.
In the second set, Rebikner pulled out an ace and
a backhand winner to save three set points, but Sablenka
had her measure, firing down two consecutive aces to hold
and claim the second set.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
The crowd is just utterly entranced as Sablenka serves an
ace brilliantly. That's terrific stuff from Arena Sablenka as she
shows her metal, and we are going the distance. In
the women's singles final tonight.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
As the match wore on, the contest intensified, but the
decider remained on Serve until the eighth game. Rebikner served
a one ninety three kilometer per hour thunderbolt and saved
three break points, but Sablenka calmly dispatched an overhead smash
and put a chink in the Coazackh's armor.
Speaker 11 (04:57):
Can she do it now? Break point number three?
Speaker 1 (05:00):
Nearly six and a half minutes in this game, it's
break point again for Arena serves onto the back end
of Sabalenka. Was on the half Volly Rebeccon. I did
really well, but she's stranded. Puts up a defensive ball.
She's still in this what's the smash?
Speaker 6 (05:12):
Like?
Speaker 12 (05:12):
Yes, she breaks sab Arena Sablenka slams it away and
is that the critical moment of this women's final.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
The weight of the championship laid heavy on Sabolenka's serve
on her first championship point at forty thirty, she double
faulted and screamed to the heavens. She smacked a winner
to open up a second championship point, but an unforced
error brought things back to deuce. Then a shallow cross
caught forehand from rebaik and I gave her a break point.
(05:45):
It quickly evaporated with a netted forehand. Another unforced eraror
from Sabolenka meant she had to smash her down the
line winner to open up a fourth championship point.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
Arena Sabalenka championship point again for the fourth time. He
serves down the middle of the forehand. Is really good
again from Rebecca. Now she goes cross court, Rebecca, it's
met by sable Anka.
Speaker 12 (06:06):
Oh that's too tight, that's too tap from Rebecca.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
That arena sabal Ancha collapses.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
I'm rob blake Rarena shaking with the.
Speaker 13 (06:15):
Emotion, not having broken throw all the serving woes.
Speaker 12 (06:20):
The anxiety is coming out about right now.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
She is the Australian Open Champion.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Sabolenka recording seventeen aces and blasting fifty one winners to
win four six six three six four in two hours
and twenty eight minutes.
Speaker 4 (06:36):
I don't know how to explain just the best seriously,
not since it's like the best day of my life
right now. I mean, I always had this weird feeling
that when people would come to me and ask for signature,
I would i would think, like, why you're asking for signature.
I'm like, I'm just the player. I'm just I'm like nobody.
I don't have a grand slam on all this stuff.
And I just changed how I feel like. I start
(07:00):
respect myself more, you know, I start to understand that
actually I'm here because I work so hard and I'm
actually a good player.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
Ultimately, Rebeke and I was unable to find the solutions
to the problems sable Ancor posed.
Speaker 14 (07:15):
Not many girls can put me really under the pressure.
And against her, it's not easy because she has a
great surf and she plays really aggressive. Her ball is
coming very heavy, and yeah, there is maybe a few
girls who plays like this, and I just know that
I have to serve well. And it's also pressure in
the end, and as soon as I have an opportunity
(07:39):
to take it, and today I had some opportunities didn't
take so that the image didn't go my way.
Speaker 7 (07:45):
Well.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
While Rebeke and I was completing her press commitments the
New Champion Arena, Sablenka was on a whirlwind media tour,
completing all of her interviews, including with our own Josh Martin. Josh,
what was the New Champion like when you sat down
with it?
Speaker 6 (07:58):
Oh?
Speaker 15 (07:58):
Well, she was over the moon, plugging her trophy around,
she had a glass of sparkling in hand, and she
was a complete contrast to the play that we saw
the part album Park just twelve months ago.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
I think because of the last year the Australian opened,
I became a better version of myself and a better player,
and they, I think it's just two different players.
Speaker 15 (08:21):
And newspapers are currently the printing the front page the
picture is you with the trophy? What do you think
the headline should be?
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Oh? I don't know.
Speaker 4 (08:30):
It's a tough question.
Speaker 11 (08:31):
What should they say?
Speaker 4 (08:33):
That's just crazy and unbelievable to understand that I'm a
Grand Slam champion and then that my picture will be there.
And then if I would write a story about myself,
that I would say that I'm a hard worker and
and yeah, and that she's this girl been through so
(08:54):
many tough moments and then she she falls through it
and she she is a Grand Slam champion, which is unbelievable.
Speaker 15 (09:02):
Those four championship points take me through those thoughts and emotions.
Speaker 4 (09:08):
I was super nervous. I was almost like shaken on
the court, and I was just kept telling myself that
that's okay. Nobody gonna give it easy for you, so
you have to work for it, and uh and yeah,
that's it. I was still shaken after the match for
like for another ten minutes. I think.
Speaker 15 (09:26):
Last year you were played that had four hundred and
twenty eight double faults. How does a player like that
go to winning the first Grand Slam of the next
calendar year.
Speaker 4 (09:36):
Oh, that's that's pretty crazy. And uh yeah through hard work,
you though.
Speaker 3 (09:47):
It was a battle worthy of a championship match, and
a deserving winner held the trophy aloft at the end
of the day.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
Joining me at the.
Speaker 3 (09:54):
Roundtable today to dissect sableincaus win commentator Jill Crabis and
gig analyst Simon Right and Jill. It started with a
double fault for Sebolenka and sort of heart in your
mouth moments at times throughout that match, but she was
a deserving winner.
Speaker 11 (10:09):
Yeah. Absolutely.
Speaker 10 (10:10):
I thought it was a very high quality match from
both We knew there weren't going to be a lot
of long points. They both both hit with such power
and pays off the ground, so we knew there are
going to be a lot of long rallies.
Speaker 11 (10:21):
It was going to come down to the motions.
Speaker 10 (10:23):
I was thinking, Okay, we know Rebakina has that Wimbledon title,
so she has a little bit more experience of coming through.
But Sabolenka has been through so much. She's been to
a few semifinals and Grand Slams. She showed in those
semifinals in the past that she got overwhelmed by the pressure.
Speaker 11 (10:37):
She even admitted it.
Speaker 10 (10:38):
So today, that's why there were so many emotions at
the end. She was able to get through and it
was just great to see.
Speaker 11 (10:45):
I think.
Speaker 10 (10:45):
I know it was a little bit of a tense
last game, but she held her nerves so well.
Speaker 11 (10:49):
I think what really.
Speaker 10 (10:50):
Impressed me was that she kept taking her time, and
her team in the box was getting very animated. They
were showing a lot of fire and passion, but she
just kept so focused. She didn't look up a few
times and just stayed on her side of the court,
and I thought she did a phenomenal job.
Speaker 11 (11:06):
Mentally.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Wow, what a final, I thought from a level perspective
in terms of ball striking and weapons and you know,
the entertainment or the battle that was on display, I
thought it was as good a final as I can
recall seeing at the Australian Open. I thought it was
an outstanding final, outstanding contest, and I think, as we
mentioned last night John in previewing the match, I think
it's kind of justice for Arena Sabolenka and what a
(11:29):
competitor and what a mentally tough, resilient, determined performance it's
been not just tonight, but if you put it in
rewe and look back twelve months and then played that
journey out across the corresponding twelve month period, and it
comes to that kind of crowning glory moment tonight, and
I think that's really really richly deserved. And I think
(11:50):
we've seen growth in spades from her in that department.
So I have a brief look at the numbers from
a first couple of sets perspective anyway, and set one,
if you look look at the serving numbers, from Sabolenka's perspective,
she's quite predictable in what happens, so she serves tea
a lot of the time. She doesn't have a bad
serving set by any street. She serves at sixty percent.
She serves tea and rebike In starts to get a
(12:12):
bit of a read I think on what's going on,
which leads to some of the pressure she's able to
create when you flip that around. So when you have
a look at rebiken is serving numbers and set one,
sixty seven percent of her first serves are unreturned. Sabolenka,
by contrast, she's thirty nine percent. It's not a bad
serving set from Sabolenka, but there's a big contrast there.
We knew going in tonight that second serve return one
(12:32):
for both of these women was going to be a
KPI really important. They both want to intimidate, they both
want to come at their opponents. They both want to
dictate in slightly different ways. Rebikena wants to get inside
the baseline takeaway time. Sabalink is prepared to hold back
just a little bit more to create a little more
time to do damage with her forehand. Sablenka in set one,
makes twenty five percent of her returns in terms of
(12:54):
second serve return one percentage, sorry, twenty five percent, Rebikener
forty three percent. So those are the fine margins that
you're playing with, and in a match that's not decided
by very much, I think there's some really significant numbers
across the first couple of sets.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
Okay, and fourhand heaviness. How much of a factor was
that tonight?
Speaker 2 (13:10):
Well, please, you asked about that, because in set two
things start to change, so the serve numbers come out
in the wash a little bit more. It's a really good,
solid serving set from both players. But the sabal Linka
foehand starts to get to work. And you know, we've
been in awe of the ball striking of reebaikn A
across the course of the fortnite, but here comes to
Saballeinka foehand, and in set too it's almost building, and
set three it reaches the crescendo. It's the dominant shot
(13:33):
on the court. And we've meant to mentioned the mental
toughness component as well. So moves past serving sixteen double
faults across the course of the Knight, Sabolinka is able
to bury that, put it behind her and move on,
and she starts to dominate the court with her forehand.
So in set one, in terms of all the ground
strokes available to her, she finds her fourhand forty four
percent of the time. In set two she finds it
fifty four percent of the time. Again, think about fine margins,
(13:55):
not a lot in this she's getting more fourhands. Of
those fourhands. In set one, Sabalinka is directing fifty five percent,
so more often than not she's going at the rebike
in a backhand corner. And set too she changes though
it's down to thirty six percent at the rebuke in
the backhand corner. So therefore it's sixty four percent going
to the rebike and fourhand corner. And that's the side
that starts to break down a little bit. It's the
(14:16):
rebiken of foehand across the course of the match that
starts to cough up a few more errors in my
opinion anyway, And I think the numbers buried up, but
I'll check with the expert here.
Speaker 11 (14:24):
Yeah, that's absolutely right.
Speaker 10 (14:25):
I mean, rebekking a look is solid on both sides,
but it is the forehand that can cause her some trouble,
and I think Sablenka knew that before the match, and
it's about making those small adjustments. But I think Sabalanca's
strategy in the beginning was sometimes you have to go
to the strength in order to open up the weakness,
and so that might have been part of the strategy,
is to try and get rebuccing out wide so she
can pressure that forehand side. But obviously she got a
(14:49):
little bit smarter, had more time. I think also the
fact that she got more consistent because she wasn't as
consistent in the first set off the ground, and she
got more consistent as the match went on, found that rhythm,
so she actually was able to get behind the ball
a little bit better and be able to redirect it
to the fourhand side, So that that was a big difference.
Speaker 2 (15:08):
You know, the serve and returns stuff. It ends up
being fairly level. I think the numbers come out in
the wash there, but what starts to play out across
the course of the match, so short rallies one we
spoke about it coming out in the wash seventy five
to seventy six. So rebikn a seventy five, Sabalinka seventy six.
That's shots that are ended within four points within four
shots sorry, medium rallies one, so five to eight shots
in the point, it's a smashing. It's one way traffic
(15:29):
for sable linkor it's the Sabalinka fourhand getting it done.
It's twenty six to Sabolenka, fourteen to Rubeikener and long
rallies one. Actually when the point goes beyond that, so
nine plus shots, it's seven apiece. So it really is
I think the fourhand factor from Saberlenka that tilts the
scales in her favor and leads to, in my opinion,
being the decisive factor to her holding up her maiden
(15:50):
grands Name Trophy, Championship points.
Speaker 16 (15:57):
Hija Kata will serve nice back put away by Kubler.
No Zelenski's their back end bollie again by Kubler, weld
on lease at the end he's gonna put it away.
No Kubler goes out on the top TASKI rags Kubler
gets there, put tight to put it away.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
He the cut has fallen over. So let's get best
the bow.
Speaker 3 (16:13):
And unbelievable Fat's points, Ozzie wild Cards, Rinky, Hijecutter and
Jason Kubler have defied the odds to secure the men's
doubles championship, replicating last year's feat by the Special K's.
The Ice Brothers broke Hugo Nice and Yan Zelinski to
love in the third game of the match and held
the margin to claim the first set. The second was
(16:35):
a tighter affair, with no player budging on serve in
a frenzied tie break. The Ossies held him any break,
lost it then swiftly regained it all within the space
of five points, putting themselves in reach of the championship.
At five to four, they brought up match point and
then the most remarkable point of the match, a dramatic
thirteen shot rally going the way of Hijecutter and Kubler.
Speaker 6 (16:58):
Yeah, Ricky and I definitely didn't think this was happening
in two weeks ago, so a bit of a pleasant surprise.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
I should say.
Speaker 6 (17:08):
He was actually the reason we teamed up for this tournament.
I wasn't sure if I was going to play or
on and then rink he asked me. Then yeah, I
decided to play it. Then geez, two weeks later, now
we've got this trophy.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
So big thank you to Rinky.
Speaker 6 (17:23):
Yeah. I couldn't have ever imagined this, but jeez, am
I glad that you said yes to playing with me
a couple of months ago.
Speaker 11 (17:31):
Yeah, I don't know.
Speaker 15 (17:32):
That's just unreal.
Speaker 3 (17:36):
Looking ahead now to Day fourteen and the men's final,
Novak Djokovic on the verge of extending his record of
currently nine Australian Open titles. Standing in his way Stephanos Citsipas.
It's a thirteenth career meeting between the pair duel, but
the last nine have gone the way of the Serb.
Speaker 10 (17:53):
Yeah, so Djokovic obviously is the favorite.
Speaker 11 (17:56):
I do think that tit Surpass has the game to
beat him.
Speaker 12 (18:00):
Now.
Speaker 10 (18:00):
I know this is Novak's court pretty much, but there's
always a first and I'm not I.
Speaker 11 (18:06):
Mean I do.
Speaker 10 (18:07):
Obviously Djokovic is favored in this matchup, but I feel
like Sitsipass has been playing very, very well. It's it's
the most I would say authoritative that I've seen him,
like in command out there. He's not getting those slight
moments of emotions that overtake him sometimes. I think he's
looked I guess similar to Sablanca, who's really kind of
(18:27):
honed in a little bit, and I feel that way about.
Speaker 11 (18:29):
Sits Apass as well.
Speaker 10 (18:31):
There were moments, you know, against Hatchinoff where he was
trying to close it out in the third sett and
couldn't get a little tight. Understandably, that happens a lot
can happen, of course, but I think it's going to
be the same situation for him about being able to
handle the moment, being able to break through, because I
definitely feel like he has the game to beat Djokovic.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
I think we're all thinking Djokovic goes in as the
overwhelming favorite. So the conversation shifts really quickly to what
does Sitsipas need to do to give himself a chance.
I'll go through a few things that are kind of
front of mine. In me, he has to be able
to go with Novak early. You know, the moment and
the nerves and a Grand Slam final and the tension,
and you've heard Jill talk about it tonight a lot
with the women's final, and it's no different tomorrow up
(19:13):
with the men's file. Handling the moment's massive. Once Novak
gets to a fast art, so that notion of breaking early,
we know he goes on to win ninety six percent
of his sets across the last couple of years. So
that's that's trouble. If he's breaking you early, you're not
chasing him down, and he gets to set in the
bank and he's even harder to track down and set two, three,
four and beyond.
Speaker 3 (19:30):
Read Tommy Paul in.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
Exactly sits a pass has got to be able to
go with them early. In terms of the sets of
pass service game. I think it's an underrated part of
the sids A pass game. And when I'm having a
look at the numbers or the data, if you like,
because I'm trying to pick out patterns here with sits APAs,
it's really hard to do. The variety on the sits
APAs service game. No discernible pattern. So that's smart, right,
That's someone that knows every opponent in the world's doing
the homework and looking for a pattern and do you
(19:54):
like that one, or you prefer that one in this
score line, or this is your favorite one on break
point down. There's no real pattern there. And he's got capability.
He's got a bomb to all spots on the court,
so he's got to have a great serving night out.
I think he can be effective when he serves wide
to Novak. So I think he's got to be prepared
to serve wide, take Novak off the court. We know
how well Novak returns. And then he's got to take risks.
So he's got to take I think educated, calculated, considered
(20:16):
risk when he gets a look at a fourhand on
third ball, he's got to be prepared to really do
some damage with it, is what I believe. And then
I think there's the physical component. So sets a pass.
There's not many that can go with Novak physically, but
I think sit surpass is won. So if you have
a look at the numbers so far from a physical
perspective across the event, sets a pass is putting in
more sprints per match than Novak, more high intensity changes
(20:37):
of direction than Novak. So he's got to do two things.
He's got to pack his running shoes and be prepared
to keep those numbers up. There said s a pass,
and then he's got to make it physical for Novak
as well. So he's got to bring his weapons to
the table and ask some serious questions of Novak. Not
for three sets, but for four and five. I think
those are the things that I think of when I
think of previewing tomorrow night's.
Speaker 3 (20:56):
Match, Jill, what about in the psyche of these players.
Novak is been solid as steel across the last three
or four matches. But Sinceipass has said he's up for
the fight, he wants to play the best in the world.
Speaker 11 (21:08):
Yeah, I think he's ready.
Speaker 10 (21:10):
And obviously they played each other at role on Garros
and Citsipass had a match point in that final, so
I think that goes to show you that he has
the brains to do it, and I think he has
the brains to do it here. Even though Djokovic is
great on this court, is great at the Australian Open,
and I mean sis A Pass, He's going to be ready.
He's going to know what he has to do. I mean,
I agree with Simon. I also feel like you might
(21:31):
see sis A Pass trying to come forward a little
bit more. I think he's You're right, he's going to
be back on that backhand and he's been hitting that
return with some good depth, which is going to be
important against Djokovic. But he's going to have to reposition himself,
look to come forward, try and close some points off
at the net, which he's been fantastic at and he's
been doing it more and more often this tournament, which
(21:53):
is great to see because he has the capability of
doing it. But I think he looks to me, he
looks strong in the mind. He just has to know
that it's it's going to be a long match. He
has to be willing to stay in the fight for
really long periods of time.
Speaker 11 (22:04):
But I think he's proven that he can do it
with that role.
Speaker 10 (22:07):
On Garrow's final, Okay, it slipped away from him, but
he got to the position and that's important, so he
knows he can get there.
Speaker 2 (22:13):
Well, thank you.
Speaker 3 (22:13):
Both for your insights. Let's now hear from the men's finalists,
first City Pass and then Novak Djokovic.
Speaker 5 (22:20):
It's always a great feeling playing a Grand Slam final.
It's how would I describe it, perhaps one of those
golden moments in tennis where everyone is seeking for and
looking for in their career and I'm going all in.
There's no player that frightens me.
Speaker 10 (22:37):
You know.
Speaker 5 (22:38):
For me, the best stend is that can be played
by the opposition, by the other side of the court.
It automatically helps me become better. So whether it's a
let's say, looser game or a more tight game. I
think I'm going to learn a lot from both. And
you know, I actually like things that are actually tough
in life. I don't like the easy stuff. You know,
(23:00):
no one is working hard for the easy stuff, and
all you have to be prepared for is for hardship
and for suffering when you're out there.
Speaker 8 (23:08):
I think it's it's good. I mean, he has to,
you know, of course, believe in himself and trust his
abilities that he can win against against anybody. You know,
in this case, against me, He's going to try, of course,
you know, to to bring his best tennis and there's
a lot on the line for both of us. But
you know, for him it's first eventually, it's going to
(23:31):
be his second Grand Slam final, going for his first
Grand Slam title and going for number one in the world,
so arguably the match of his life. So it's it's
normal for me and to you know, to have to
hear him speak about himself with confidence and approach to
this match. And I don't see anything wrong, you know,
(23:51):
I've I've done that when Rafa and Roger were dominating
the tennis and I was kind of making my breakthrough
and saying that I can win against these guys, that
I believe that I'm stronger and there's nothing wrong in it.
Every time. Now at this stage of my career, when
I get to the Grand Slam Finals, you know, it
feels like, Okay, I don't know how many more opportunities
(24:14):
I'm going to have, so I might as well give
it all, really as I always do. But you know,
especially now, you know being thirty five is different and
you don't know how, as I said, how many more
chances you're going to have, So of course I'm blessed
to be in another finals. I've been playing some of
the best tennis that I've played in a recent month,
(24:36):
so you know, I look forward to a great challenge.
Speaker 3 (24:41):
If you've ever watched a match inside Rod Laver Arena,
you may have heard this next voice bellowing from the stadium.
PA producer Josh Martin went courtside at RLA to see
what it's like to be a court announcer at the
Australian Open.
Speaker 7 (24:54):
James Sherry, I'm the Knights court announcer at Rod Laver Arena.
Speaker 15 (24:59):
So what is the day, well, I should say, a
night look like for you? As a court announcer.
Speaker 7 (25:04):
So I get in here about four point thirty and
then we get our final notes, do our prep, make
sure that we've got all the scripting and the run
sheet as it's supposed to unfold for the night. And yeah,
then as the doors open here on Rod Laverna, the
people come in for the night session and I introduced
(25:24):
them to the court, welcome them, introduce the players, introduce
the show that's happening before the match, and then yeah,
give them. They introduce the players onto the court and
read out their bios so that everybody knows who's playing
and what they've done in the past.
Speaker 15 (25:38):
What do you think the best part of being a
court announcer.
Speaker 7 (25:40):
Is getting to watch the best tennis in the world
and getting paid to do it. Like I get to
court side for most of the tournament. It gets a
little the real estate gets a little bit tighter for
the finals, so I'm quite off and backstage for that.
But to be here and to be able to watch
this t and something, you know, last year I was
(26:02):
here when Ashbarty won her Australian Open, you know, to
be part of that, to be working there for that,
it's it's a great memory to have. You know, this
is the green room and this is Mal she's my
floor manager, so she's hello. She takes me through the night.
Speaker 9 (26:17):
So today we have Darren Hayes performing, so we're going
to do it as normal.
Speaker 6 (26:22):
After that we'll do that's.
Speaker 7 (26:24):
Darren Hayes, then housekeeping and then into standby for walk.
Speaker 15 (26:28):
Onst So what's on your iPad here?
Speaker 7 (26:31):
So my iPad? This is my script So tonight we've
got Darren Hayes before me, so I put his scripting
in there. The main part of the job is to
introduce the players onto court and to give the them
like a bio, to tell the crowd who they are,
what they've done as they're warming up. So I researched
all of that during the day and so I pop
(26:52):
that in there as well.
Speaker 2 (26:54):
Ready to go.
Speaker 7 (26:55):
Ok, what was your name?
Speaker 12 (26:56):
Said Bashti?
Speaker 7 (26:57):
Who do you play tennis?
Speaker 10 (26:58):
Yeah?
Speaker 11 (26:59):
I play ten good?
Speaker 1 (27:00):
Yea lumber one.
Speaker 3 (27:01):
Yeah, I'm very good.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
No, that's brilliant.
Speaker 17 (27:05):
Congratulations.
Speaker 7 (27:06):
We've got a bit of a problem. The kid who
was going to do the coin toss hasn't turned up.
Speaker 3 (27:13):
That mean, can you do it for us?
Speaker 5 (27:14):
One hundred ten?
Speaker 17 (27:18):
There you go.
Speaker 7 (27:19):
This is the coin.
Speaker 3 (27:21):
So that's the coin, I'm sure and you get to
keep it.
Speaker 8 (27:23):
So A kisses four.
Speaker 17 (27:26):
At this Australian Open, defeated Struff in straight sets, Davidovich
Fortuna in five, Brooksby in three, but Tista of Good
in five sets, and fellow countrymen dam Shelton in four
sets in the quarterfinals. Squirl on red.
Speaker 13 (27:42):
Please welcome to rod labor Arena. Two time French Open Champion,
three times, the US Open Champion seven time and current
women and champion nine time Australian Open Champion.
Speaker 2 (27:57):
Who number four?
Speaker 4 (28:00):
Shoko bitch?
Speaker 3 (28:04):
And so the sun sets on day thirteen with a
new women's champion written into the record books. Will we
see another new name on the men's trophy tomorrow or
will the Jokovic stranglehold continue? Join me again for Day
fourteen and the men's championship decider. And don't forget the
AO season is underway in the world's most popular mobile
tennis game, Tennis Clash. Download it today from the app store.
(28:26):
In the meantime, take this opportunity to subscribe and consider
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