February 8, 2023 • 30 mins
Week 2 of the Australian Open was full of magic moments: Andrey Rublev's heart-stopping win over Holger Rune, Victoria Azarenka's vintage performance against Jessica Pegula, plus the championship winning exploits of Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic, plus we take a look behind the curtain of the AO commentary box, sit down with Men's Doubles champions the Ice Brothers (Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler), and relive some legendary moments from 500 days of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park.
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
The time for talking is over.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
The match clock showing four hours and twelve minutes. It's
a little lots in.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
Short forty inside Marick they erotic d what's a smash like?
Speaker 4 (00:14):
It's he's got a good shows.
Speaker 5 (00:17):
It's about.
Speaker 6 (00:20):
Help, says I love like Lada, And there's ten of
the Absolute pressed cock a bitch.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Hi everyone, and welcome to the AO Show Rewind with
me John riven Us as we take a look back
at the biggest stories from Australian Open twenty twenty three.
Today we'll be reliving week two of the tournament. Here's
what's coming up. Heart stoppers, my home and its gords.
That's match heroes.
Speaker 7 (00:51):
There's sometimes like incredible desire for a villain and a hero.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
And history makers, blockback crops, the batic.
Speaker 6 (01:00):
And it is ten the absolute Festkovich.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Week two was one for the ages, So why not
experience it all over again on the AO Show Rewind.
After the bombshells, boilovers and box office success of the
first week, the second week of the Australian Open took
on a different complexion. Novak Djokovic seemed to have shaken
(01:27):
off his injury concerns, while others were starting to feel
the impact of the first Grand Slam of the year,
but the quality of tennis, well, that was only getting better.
Like the battle between Andre Rubelev and Holgaruna on day eight.
Rumor serves to the backhand, cordscords Hales match and rub
(01:51):
Is on.
Speaker 7 (01:52):
His back contimulation.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Andre Rubelev has snatched victory from the jaws of defeat
in a tug of war with Holgarruna to reach his
seventh major quarter final six three three six six three
four six seven six.
Speaker 5 (02:05):
It's the luckiest probably moment of my life. And now
I can go because in all so, if I put
for sure, I'm going to win.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
And I'm joined at the roundtable today by commentator Robbie
Koenig and gig analyst Simon Ray. It was a rocking,
rolling roof raiser between rube Lev and Runa and it
ended in the most remarkable way. Robbie and net Cord.
Can you believe it? I couldn't.
Speaker 8 (02:27):
That's actually one of the few occasions where you know,
when you come towards the end of a match, Johnny,
you have something in your mind for each player when
they win, and how you're going to see it up
for the view at home. It's the last thing I expected.
So for a split second there I was lost for
words and then I just came up with no way.
Speaker 9 (02:44):
Well, what a match. Amazing, exhilarating, high pressure, high stakes
moments towards the back end of that match, and not
a lot in it. You know, when you reflect on
total points one across the contest one hundred and sixty
eight to Ruble one hundred and fifty eight to runa
I think one of the key metrics that I want
to take a look at and keen to get Robbie's
thoughts on this as well, is from a pressure perspective,
(03:05):
when run is serving wide to the juice thirty eight
percent win rate, Rune wide to the AD fifty percent
win rate, rubylev wide to the juice ninety and wide
to the AD eighty six And in a match that's
a marathon match, a five set match ends on a
dead neck cord, incredible amount of topsy turvy up and
down in everywhere type tennis, I think there's a fair
bit to be said or a fabit to be found,
(03:27):
and really examining the serve numbers forensically, like.
Speaker 8 (03:30):
That one point lest I forget both players had match
points in the match before Rublev eventually converts and wins
in the most tremenic effecsion. So the margins in the
sport these days is just insane, how thin they are, Johnny.
I think last year Greg Shoko from the ATP they
keep a running telly of all the matches where a
(03:51):
player saves match points and goes on to win. It
happened eighty five times last ye and of course the
most famous one was Calus Ocarez.
Speaker 10 (04:00):
Right, So having a.
Speaker 8 (04:02):
Match point before eventually losing, Ocarez goes on not only
to one's first major.
Speaker 5 (04:07):
But to get world number one.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
I mean the.
Speaker 8 (04:09):
Margins on Menisco. So if you have doctor that can
swing something just a small percenta point here or there,
at least explore the option. At least try and poss
on the information to your plate. Yes, it's one thing
possing it on, Johno. Your player still has to execute.
So at the end of the day, it is still
down to the ability of the player.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Commentators we hear them every time we turn on the tennis.
They're as much a part of the soundtrack of the
game as squeaks from shoes and racket on ball, But
have you ever wondered what it's like in the commentary
booth calling a match? Josh Martin spent a day with
commentator Peter Maccato to find out.
Speaker 11 (04:47):
Your Twitter bio reads the best commentator you've never heard of?
Speaker 5 (04:51):
Why don't you enlighten our audiences?
Speaker 1 (04:54):
Well, it's very simple. I'm sure a lot of the
people who are listening right now.
Speaker 5 (04:57):
Probably would have no idea who I am.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
Just recognize that voice and go I can't quite place it.
Speaker 6 (05:03):
He played the forehead fint to pint both players and
the record has gone from cocodile gus Y says, can
you give me something?
Speaker 1 (05:13):
This is my seventeenth Australian Open. So it's been a
long time, mainly with radio and then the last seven
years I can't remember now been doing the world feed
TV coverage as well.
Speaker 11 (05:25):
You do both radio and TV. Can you explain to
some people who might never have listened to tennis on
the radio before how different it is and how differently
you prepare?
Speaker 7 (05:34):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Absolutely, I mean TV you've got to prepare a bit
more because you've got to fill the space in between
the points and have lots of facts and figures and
stats and everything to go with. Radio is a bit
different because you are calling every point and you rely
a lot on your other commentator, so the analysts to
really break down the play and give a bit more
of that. Radio tends to be more conversational. So well, yes,
(05:57):
we'll be calling the match, and if it's really close,
we'll be right on it. But we also have the
opportunity to sort of go into other areas and have
a bit of fun and involve our listeners in the conversation.
We get a lot of feedback and a lot of
questions from around the world.
Speaker 5 (06:11):
So where are we right now?
Speaker 1 (06:12):
We are in Master control for AO Radio. This used
to be the old press conference room back in the day,
but it's been repurposed and still looks the same, but
it's where the nerve center of AO Radio happens.
Speaker 5 (06:24):
So what match are you getting ready to call? Right now?
Speaker 1 (06:27):
We are going to be doing Citsipas and sinner. We're
going to be doing the fourth set at least of
this or part of the four set, because we do
time shifts so we don't wear ourselves out.
Speaker 11 (06:37):
So we're walking down the Walk of Champions and you're
getting ready to start calling the match. How do you
actually change commentators?
Speaker 1 (06:45):
So we normally have breaks that we take, so they're
pre recorded promotions for TA and this train open, everything
like that. So we have ninety seconds basically to change over.
So it means that the two commentators can get out,
we can go in, which takes a little while because
it's a very compact booth that we've got. So down
(07:05):
here at our commentary bunker, we've got a lot of
different radio stations, so the BBC is here, our host
broadcaster in Australia, Channel nine has a space here. There's
also Australian Open Radio, and then a local station in
Melbourne as well, a sports station takes the coverage and
they've got a commentary box too, So there's a flurry
of noise here, but it all makes sense when it
comes out at the other end.
Speaker 5 (07:26):
And what's the view down in the bunker.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
Well, it's actually a great view because we're a court
level basically, it's actually slightly lower than court level, so
we sort of can be at knee height, if that's
probably the best way to describe it. Peter Macato, Hello, Hello, Hello,
o Canny, Hello ron As this one on the backhand
of middle of the court big off foy and from Sinner.
Sitzipas goes a looping backhand working in the a court.
(07:49):
Now off point up a line. Sinner's there with a
point of his loan big backhand too big from Sitzipass,
another era and it is fifteen. All we've got Josh
in the back here just mat hush, it's great for
I'm picked up by scross called back canference in a
high ball sits a pass center, then a easy overhead
put away. He goes to fifteen or Josh works on
the Australian Open podcast, which you can catch on ozopen
(08:11):
dot com and all wherever you get your podcast from
game point for Citsipass serves out wide. Another ice sits
it pass two cents.
Speaker 10 (08:18):
To one on AO Radio.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Live around the world, leaving Bejosh.
Speaker 5 (08:22):
He's gone.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
He's going standby.
Speaker 11 (08:25):
That'll be on the AO podcast.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
At some stage next couple of days. Yeah, when he
gets around editing lovely to see thanks for stopping by anytime.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Ten years ago, a twenty three year old Victoria Azarenka
lifted the Daphne Ackhurst Memorial Trophy for the second consecutive year.
She was the number one player in the world and
Melbourne was her playground. AO twenty three was something of
a renaissance for the now thirty three year old, who
was back in town and back in near career best form.
Let's rewind to day nine. Slides from Pergola, Cosse called
(09:01):
from Azarenka.
Speaker 10 (09:02):
The volley from Pagola goes live.
Speaker 8 (09:05):
Oh plenty took the piss put Victoria Azrenka on the
twenty twelve twenty thirteen champion.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
They threw to the semifinals. A vintage performance from Victoria
Azarenka has booked her a place in the semifinals in
Melbourne for the first time since her back to back
titles a decade ago. The six four to sixty one
win is her first over a top five player in
a Grand Slam event since she defeated Maria Sharapova in
twenty twelve.
Speaker 7 (09:29):
Yeah, I felt like, you know, especially last year, and
my tennis wasn't bad, but I wasn't really mentally there
to go out there. I played with a lot of fear,
with a lot of anxiety, and it really was difficult
to be brave and to take the right to make
the right choice is an important moment when you feel anxious,
when you feel hesitant, and I worked a lot on
(09:51):
my mindset, challenging myself on things that I wouldn't really
do before, and try to push myself forward, because you know,
when you achieved great success as a some times you
become conservative and you don't try a bit more hesitant
to try new things. And this offseason I was like,
you know what, I just be open minded, try new
things and put my head down and work hard.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
It's been ten years since Azarenka's last title in Melbourne,
a campaign that was marred by one of the lowest
points of her career when in the semi final against
Sloan Stevens, she was widely criticized for taking two medical
timeouts after relinquishing five match points at a critical stage
of the second set.
Speaker 7 (10:32):
It was one of the worst things that I've ever
gone through in my professional career, the way I was
treated after that moment, the way I had to explain
myself until ten thirty pm at night because people didn't
want to believe me. And I actually can resonate what
Novak said the other day. There is sometimes like incredible
(10:53):
desire for a villain and a hero story that has
to be written. But we're not villains, we're not heroes.
We're regular human beings that go through so many many
things and assumptions and judgments, and you know, all those
comments are just you know, because nobody is there to
(11:17):
see the full story. And it didn't matter how many
times I said, I said my story, it did not
cut through. So it actually it's funny that you're saying that,
because I was thinking about it. Took me ten years
to get over it, you know, and I finally am
over that.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
AO twenty three was the thirty sixth holding of the
Australian Open at Melbourne Park or Flinders Park as it
used to be called when the event moved from its
previous home at Kuyong. Day ten of this year's tournament
marked a milestone for the Australian Open, But let's rewind
even further, all the way back to January eleventh, nineteen
eighty eight.
Speaker 4 (12:02):
The nineteen eighty eight Australian Open began at Flinders Park
and Melbourne flocked to the seventy million dollar center. All
were impressed with the space age Center court with retractable roof,
as well as the ease the access to the outside courts.
Speaker 11 (12:14):
Today Mark's five hundred days of Australian Open Main Draw
tennis played at Melbourne Park. We went down to chat
to some tennis legends about their favorite moments over the
last thirty six editions of the tournament.
Speaker 4 (12:25):
Sixteen year old Sydney boy Todd Woodbridge will go down
in history as the first player to win a tournament
match at the Center after beating American John Letzen straight
SAIDs on court ten.
Speaker 12 (12:35):
I remember really like it was yesterday. It was quite
an extraordinary opportunity to get a wild card into the
Australian Open, and I got a drawer.
Speaker 2 (12:43):
I played an American named John Latson.
Speaker 12 (12:46):
Somehow I won quite quite swiftly to get that honor
of being the first off the court. And funny enough,
a very young Eddie McGuire was the journalist that was
courtside who interviewed me on that particular day, and obviously
Eddie's got on to do some big things in the
media world. So it was and when you think about
the venue was so completely different back then as well.
Speaker 11 (13:09):
For Renet Stubbs, Marcus Bagdadis and Agni Eshka Radvanska. Their
success on the court is hard to forget.
Speaker 10 (13:16):
My favorite moment is the match point against Aalbandian in
the semifinals.
Speaker 5 (13:21):
I aced and I.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
Won the match.
Speaker 13 (13:24):
That's easy, winning the tournament two thousand and doubles and mixed. Yeah,
and I actually started my Grand Slam career here at
the Strain Open. The first year I was at Flinder's Park,
you know, before it became Melbourne Park. So I've been
here to see all the changes and it's been remarkable
to see what they've done to the tournament.
Speaker 14 (13:41):
I think it was twenty fifteen my match against Azarenka
on Roaldavia Arena. She was number one and defending the
title from the year before, and it was one of
the best matches I played. And bidding her and ro
Labor that was quite a match.
Speaker 5 (14:01):
So I'll remember that three times.
Speaker 11 (14:02):
AO semi finalist Tommy hass and Sebastian Carters. Coach Raddick
Stepnik remembers Melbourne Park as a venue of highs and.
Speaker 15 (14:09):
Lows, a lot of great days, but also a lot
of tough days.
Speaker 12 (14:13):
You know.
Speaker 15 (14:13):
I've obviously loved coming here for so many years, I guess,
you know, the first time I really had a great
tournament here was in ninety nine. I was kind of
thinking about that on my flight over here last night.
That was twenty four years ago. That's kind of crazy.
Speaker 10 (14:25):
Definitely eleven years ago, winning first Grand Slam in doubles
with Leander Pace obviously the biggest moment for myself.
Speaker 5 (14:36):
On the other hand, I played here my.
Speaker 10 (14:38):
Last match of my career at the Oceane Open twenty seventeen,
so bittersweet.
Speaker 11 (14:45):
Melbourne Park has long been a special place for Barbara
Schett Eagle, Eva Meoli and Daniella hunt Kova.
Speaker 16 (14:51):
Probably one moment I will never forget this when we
played the doubles on market Quard Arena and whenever you
played with Anna corney Kova, the fans for us and
they were there and they were starting to sing songs.
They were singing a song about me ba ba ba
bah and it was just unbelievable the support we got.
And I think the the Australian crowd, the Melbourne crowd,
(15:14):
they're they're they're really very positive there. They get into
the matches, they're very knowledgeable and they give some great
energy and I love seeing that every single year.
Speaker 17 (15:23):
Winning the mixed doubles here doubles finals, semi finals in singles.
But then just looking from the outside, you know some
of the Roger Rafa Novak, Roger Novak Rafa A match
is we witnessed the I think it's something that's going
to stay with everyone forever.
Speaker 18 (15:40):
I think most of us love coming here in January.
We feel this is the most relaxing Randslam. The people
are so nice, the weather is beautiful, coming from Europe.
Speaker 11 (15:51):
But for the Brian Brothers, doubles come oot. The venue
always toss us up something unexpected.
Speaker 3 (15:56):
I think our best one was the two thousand and six,
our first title here. Justine Hennan pulled out after like
fifteen minutes of the women's final, so was a packed house.
The crowd didn't quite get their money's worth. They stayed
for the doubles and it was a three hour match.
We played into the wee hours of the night and
we ended up winning our first title. We're up partying
(16:16):
with Serena Williams.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
She treated us to a fun night on the town.
Speaker 11 (16:22):
Cheers to the first five hundred days at Melbourne Park.
He's to five hundred more.
Speaker 2 (16:31):
If we learned anything from the Special K's triumph at
a twenty two. It's that doubles is no longer the
domain of double specialists only. By the middle of Week two,
Ossie wild cards Rinky Hijakuta and Jason Kubler, the Ice Brothers,
were well on their way towards their own championship. Let's
rewind to day eleven, after they'd booked their spot in
(16:52):
the final. Momentum is the first word that springs to
mind about your campaign, Rinky. How import has momentum been
throughout the past week?
Speaker 19 (17:03):
Yeah, I mean I think it's been huge. I think,
you know, when we came into the week, we didn't
really know what to expect, and to get the first
round win under the belt and then obviously we had
a couple of slow starts, but to kind of pull
it around and then get the Aussie crowd behind us,
and yeah, just keep rolling with that. And when you
get a bit of momentum going and you're feeling confident,
(17:23):
I feel like, you know, anything's possible. So yeah, it's
been great. The last few matches have been crazy, and yeah,
I'm just hoping we can keep it going for Saturday.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
What's been the most surprising thing that you've discovered about yourselves?
Speaker 5 (17:36):
As a partnership do you think.
Speaker 20 (17:39):
I'ld honestly say probably the connection we've had on court.
Speaker 5 (17:41):
You know, we haven't.
Speaker 20 (17:43):
Played doubles before this, so it's I think it's surprising
for a team to sort of have success straight away,
and then almost the scary thing with us, I feel
like each match we're improving. You know, each match we're
slowly figuring out what each other likes a bit more,
We're figuring out, you know, where to hit certain balls
or in certain occasions. Yeah, then you know, just with
(18:06):
our energy as well. I feel Rinky brings a lot
of energy to the court and then you know, if
I can do my part and bring some back, then
you know, Rinky almost goes to another level. So that's
probably been the most surprising thing, but I'll happily take it.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
There's been an infiltration of singles players into the men's
doubles draw, it seems, over the past couple of years.
What difference does it make being a singles plaque coming
into a team you've never played together before, but doing
so well on the double scene. What's behind that?
Speaker 19 (18:34):
I mean, I'm honestly not too sure. I mean I
played a bit of dubs last year and I didn't
really have any success, So yeah, I'm not too sure.
To be honest, I guess, you know, singles players maybe
return quite well normally, just because you kind of face
sduff against a lot of different serves and a lot
(18:54):
of big servers in the singles game, so you kind
of have to adapt well and be able to do that.
And then, yeah, to be honest, I'm not really sure that.
I guess there's no real expectation for us when we
go out there. No one's expecting us to go out
and beat these pairs who are so well established in
such great players, So I guess, yeah, not having that
kind of pressure either, being able to play freely is
(19:16):
a pretty important thing.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
Jason, you've spoken press about, I guess your surprise and
delight being in your second doubles final in as many
years at the AO. What lessons did you learn from
from the mixed last year that you can bring to Saturday.
Speaker 20 (19:34):
I think I think just experiencing a final. You know,
there's a lot of emotions that you know before you
play that you feel. I think just having the experience
of aning sort of knowing what's coming, and then if
I can you know, sort of help rink his path
a little bit, let him feel that. You know, it's
normal to feel, you know, nervousness is normal to feel,
(19:55):
you know, excitement or to think about winning. You know,
that's all normal stuff probably that to be honest, And
you know, I've learned lots of little things, even from
just the Aussie guys that I've been hanging out with.
You know, I got to spend a lot of a
lot of time around Demon last year, you know, with
the Davis Cup as well with Rusty, So just being
around those guys that have been around in those those
(20:16):
big moments and those big courts so many times, you know,
they drop little things that you know, I put in
the memory bank and then if I can you know,
pass that on to Rink or even you know, Rinky,
if he passes anything on to me, you know we'll
take it and then, you know, just see how it goes.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
The Australian Open has always made of memorable matches and
magic moments, players bringing their best on the big stage,
spurred on by big crowds. Let's rewind to day twelve
when we ask the fans their favorite matches of the tournament.
Speaker 21 (20:50):
I love the match between the Ruin and that's right
blab But I want run to win that game because
I think he deserved it. But I think ruby Lev
did a great job though.
Speaker 5 (21:04):
I saw Djokovic and Dmitov, which is also much.
Speaker 22 (21:08):
It's been quite a lot of five Stentons, which has
been good. Probably Marry versus Vert teeny.
Speaker 5 (21:13):
It was good just to see them going.
Speaker 22 (21:15):
At each other. It could have gone either way.
Speaker 5 (21:16):
And it's good to see the old champ get.
Speaker 22 (21:19):
Up last night the semi final between as a ring
Cup and Revulquin. The atmosphere of her is really great
and people always support him and her opponent also has
a lot of spotors, so I think the atmosphere is
great and the competition is exciting.
Speaker 23 (21:39):
Oh I just said Andy Murray one because I was
living in the UK for for a few years and
we loved Murray for Wimbledon and then he kind of,
you know, wasn't not his best anymore. But this year
it's seeing he coming back and had all these fights
and it was that's amazing.
Speaker 2 (22:04):
Little did we know that one of the matches of
the tournament would come just a day later in the
women's final with Arena Sablenka fending off Wimbledon champ Elena Rebeikna.
Sabalanka's fourth round exit the previous year was a bitter
pill to swallow for the second seed, whose fifteen double
faults in the lost to kay Kinneppi precipitated a worrying
trend for much of the season, but twenty twenty three
(22:26):
brought new opportunities for the Belarusian, who arrived in Melbourne
with a new serve and a new sense of confidence.
Let's rewind to day.
Speaker 24 (22:34):
Thirteen, championship point again for the fourth time. She serves
down the middle of the forehand is really good again
from Rebeccina. She goes cross court, Rebecca, it's met by Sablenka.
Speaker 2 (22:47):
Oh that's too deep, that's too deep.
Speaker 11 (22:49):
From Rebecca man Arena.
Speaker 24 (22:52):
Sabalancha collapses on Roblairo Arena, shaking with the emotion of.
Speaker 6 (22:58):
Having broken through all the serving wise, the.
Speaker 24 (23:02):
Anxiety is coming out of that.
Speaker 1 (23:04):
Right now she is.
Speaker 6 (23:05):
The Australian Open champion.
Speaker 2 (23:09):
Sabile Anca recording seventeen aces and blasting fifty one winners
to win four six, six, three sixty four in two
hours and twenty eight minutes.
Speaker 25 (23:18):
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 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
(23:38):
I just changed how I feel like I start respect
myself more, you know, I start to understand that actually
I'm I'm here because I work so hard and I'm
actually a good player.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
Ultimately, Rebike and I was unable to find the solutions
to the problems. Sabile ancor posed.
Speaker 26 (23:56):
Not many girls can put me really under the pressure
and I and 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
(24:20):
to take it, and today I had some opportunities didn't
take so themag didn't.
Speaker 27 (24:25):
Go my way.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
Well, while Rebek and I was completing her press commitments.
The New Champion Arena. Sabalanka 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 19 (24:39):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (24:40):
Well, she was over the moon.
Speaker 11 (24:41):
She was lugging her trophy around, she had a glass
of sparkling in hand, and she was a complete contrast
to the player that we saw the part album Park
just twelve months ago.
Speaker 25 (24:50):
I think because of the last year The Australian opened,
I became a better version of myself and a better player,
and I I think it's just two different players.
Speaker 11 (25:02):
And newspapers are currently the printing the front page the
picture is you with the trophy.
Speaker 5 (25:08):
What do you think the headline should be?
Speaker 22 (25:10):
Oh, I don't know.
Speaker 25 (25:12):
It's a tough question. What should say? 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 uh and yeah,
(25:32):
and that she's this girl been through so so many
tough moments and then she she falls through it, and
she she's a Grand Slam champion, which is unbelievable.
Speaker 11 (25:44):
Those four championship points take me through those thoughts and emotions.
Speaker 25 (25:49):
I was super nervous. I was almost like shaking on
the court, and I was just keep telling myself that
that's okay. Nobody gonna give it easy for you, so
you have to work for it, and and and yeah,
that's it. I was still sicken after the matches for
another time minutes.
Speaker 11 (26:05):
I think last year you were a play 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 25 (26:16):
Oh, that's that's pretty crazy. And uh yeah, through hard working.
Speaker 2 (26:23):
Though, unless you were born before this century, you probably
don't remember a time in tennis before Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.
No other trio has dominated two decades more comprehensively, and
there's a good chance it won't ever happen again. Of
the past seventy eight Grand Slam men's singles titles, sixty
(26:44):
four have been captured by one of the Big Three.
Since I began covering the Australian Open in two thousand
and eight, they've won fifteen of sixteen, but there's one
man who stands head and shoulders above even his peers.
At Melbourne Park, let rewind day fourteen and the men's final.
Speaker 1 (27:04):
Championship point Djokovic down the ta forehand from city pass
is deep. Working now to the backhand of city pass,
backhand to backhand, both players and now Djokovich all willing
to wind up the line.
Speaker 5 (27:14):
He's just made it.
Speaker 1 (27:15):
Lock back from Cintebati goes along.
Speaker 6 (27:18):
And it is ten of the absolute best com going
back Dakovic. He owns this cords and he is back
in style.
Speaker 2 (27:30):
With the title secure, Djokovic climbed into his player box
and collapsed in heaving sobs.
Speaker 28 (27:35):
I have to say that this has been one of
the most challenging tournaments I've ever played in my life,
considering the circumstances, not playing last year, coming back this year,
and I want to thank I want to thank all
the people that made me feel welcome, made me feel
comfortable to be in Melbourne, to be in Australia. Only
(27:59):
the team and the family knows what we've been through
in the last four or five weeks, and this probably
is the I would say biggest victory in my life
considering the circumstances.
Speaker 18 (28:11):
You know, Novoquez is a player that pushes you to
your limits. And I don't see this as a curse.
I don't see this as like something annoying. This is
very good for the sport. To have competitors like him,
to have champions like him is very important for us
that want to get to his point one day and
getting our you know, assets kicked is for sure a
(28:34):
very good lesson. Every single time he has made me
a much better player. He has made my levels of
concentration get higher and hire every single time we get
to play him.
Speaker 2 (28:44):
Similar to Djokovic's twenty twenty one title, an injury that
jeopardized his campaign was ultimately not enough to stop the juggernaut.
His coach Goran Ivanisovitch, praising Djokovic's resilience.
Speaker 27 (28:56):
I don't say one hundred percent, but ninety seven of
the players if on Saturday when you get the results
of the MRI, you go straight to the referee office
and pull out of the tournament, But not him. He
is from other space.
Speaker 2 (29:11):
Not only does the twenty two time Grand Slam champion
draw level with Rafael Nadal on major titles. The pair
are now the only two men to reach double digits
at a single Grand Slam event.
Speaker 28 (29:23):
I think results peick enough for themselves. You know how
I feel in Australia, how well I have been playing
here over the last fifteen years. Actually it was exactly
fifteen years ago when I won my first Grand Slam
here in Melbourne, so it kind of makes this victory
even more unique and special for me. Kind of brings
back the memories from fifteen years ago. So we'd love
(29:44):
to come back. I'll keep on coming back as long
as I you know, I can perform at the highest
level and be able to be one of the candidates
to win a Slam.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
That's all for our week to rewind. I hope you've
enjoyed revisiting some of the best moments. It's from Australian
Open twenty twenty three. Join me again next week for
the latest tennis news, views and interviews. And don't forget
to subscribe to the AO Show so you don't miss
an episode every single week. And we'd love to hear
from you our wonderful listeners via the Aoshow at Tennis
dot com dot au. And finally, please rate and review,
(30:19):
so more tennis fans can enjoy the AO Show
The time for talking is over.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
The match clock showing four hours and twelve minutes. It's
a little lots in.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
Short forty inside Marick they erotic d what's a smash like?
Speaker 4 (00:14):
It's he's got a good shows.
Speaker 5 (00:17):
It's about.
Speaker 6 (00:20):
Help, says I love like Lada, And there's ten of
the Absolute pressed cock a bitch.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Hi everyone, and welcome to the AO Show Rewind with
me John riven Us as we take a look back
at the biggest stories from Australian Open twenty twenty three.
Today we'll be reliving week two of the tournament. Here's
what's coming up. Heart stoppers, my home and its gords.
That's match heroes.
Speaker 7 (00:51):
There's sometimes like incredible desire for a villain and a hero.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
And history makers, blockback crops, the batic.
Speaker 6 (01:00):
And it is ten the absolute Festkovich.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Week two was one for the ages, So why not
experience it all over again on the AO Show Rewind.
After the bombshells, boilovers and box office success of the
first week, the second week of the Australian Open took
on a different complexion. Novak Djokovic seemed to have shaken
(01:27):
off his injury concerns, while others were starting to feel
the impact of the first Grand Slam of the year,
but the quality of tennis, well, that was only getting better.
Like the battle between Andre Rubelev and Holgaruna on day eight.
Rumor serves to the backhand, cordscords Hales match and rub
(01:51):
Is on.
Speaker 7 (01:52):
His back contimulation.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Andre Rubelev has snatched victory from the jaws of defeat
in a tug of war with Holgarruna to reach his
seventh major quarter final six three three six six three
four six seven six.
Speaker 5 (02:05):
It's the luckiest probably moment of my life. And now
I can go because in all so, if I put
for sure, I'm going to win.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
And I'm joined at the roundtable today by commentator Robbie
Koenig and gig analyst Simon Ray. It was a rocking,
rolling roof raiser between rube Lev and Runa and it
ended in the most remarkable way. Robbie and net Cord.
Can you believe it? I couldn't.
Speaker 8 (02:27):
That's actually one of the few occasions where you know,
when you come towards the end of a match, Johnny,
you have something in your mind for each player when
they win, and how you're going to see it up
for the view at home. It's the last thing I expected.
So for a split second there I was lost for
words and then I just came up with no way.
Speaker 9 (02:44):
Well, what a match. Amazing, exhilarating, high pressure, high stakes
moments towards the back end of that match, and not
a lot in it. You know, when you reflect on
total points one across the contest one hundred and sixty
eight to Ruble one hundred and fifty eight to runa
I think one of the key metrics that I want
to take a look at and keen to get Robbie's
thoughts on this as well, is from a pressure perspective,
(03:05):
when run is serving wide to the juice thirty eight
percent win rate, Rune wide to the AD fifty percent
win rate, rubylev wide to the juice ninety and wide
to the AD eighty six And in a match that's
a marathon match, a five set match ends on a
dead neck cord, incredible amount of topsy turvy up and
down in everywhere type tennis, I think there's a fair
bit to be said or a fabit to be found,
(03:27):
and really examining the serve numbers forensically, like.
Speaker 8 (03:30):
That one point lest I forget both players had match
points in the match before Rublev eventually converts and wins
in the most tremenic effecsion. So the margins in the
sport these days is just insane, how thin they are, Johnny.
I think last year Greg Shoko from the ATP they
keep a running telly of all the matches where a
(03:51):
player saves match points and goes on to win. It
happened eighty five times last ye and of course the
most famous one was Calus Ocarez.
Speaker 10 (04:00):
Right, So having a.
Speaker 8 (04:02):
Match point before eventually losing, Ocarez goes on not only
to one's first major.
Speaker 5 (04:07):
But to get world number one.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
I mean the.
Speaker 8 (04:09):
Margins on Menisco. So if you have doctor that can
swing something just a small percenta point here or there,
at least explore the option. At least try and poss
on the information to your plate. Yes, it's one thing
possing it on, Johno. Your player still has to execute.
So at the end of the day, it is still
down to the ability of the player.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Commentators we hear them every time we turn on the tennis.
They're as much a part of the soundtrack of the
game as squeaks from shoes and racket on ball, But
have you ever wondered what it's like in the commentary
booth calling a match? Josh Martin spent a day with
commentator Peter Maccato to find out.
Speaker 11 (04:47):
Your Twitter bio reads the best commentator you've never heard of?
Speaker 5 (04:51):
Why don't you enlighten our audiences?
Speaker 1 (04:54):
Well, it's very simple. I'm sure a lot of the
people who are listening right now.
Speaker 5 (04:57):
Probably would have no idea who I am.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
Just recognize that voice and go I can't quite place it.
Speaker 6 (05:03):
He played the forehead fint to pint both players and
the record has gone from cocodile gus Y says, can
you give me something?
Speaker 1 (05:13):
This is my seventeenth Australian Open. So it's been a
long time, mainly with radio and then the last seven
years I can't remember now been doing the world feed
TV coverage as well.
Speaker 11 (05:25):
You do both radio and TV. Can you explain to
some people who might never have listened to tennis on
the radio before how different it is and how differently
you prepare?
Speaker 7 (05:34):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (05:34):
Absolutely, I mean TV you've got to prepare a bit
more because you've got to fill the space in between
the points and have lots of facts and figures and
stats and everything to go with. Radio is a bit
different because you are calling every point and you rely
a lot on your other commentator, so the analysts to
really break down the play and give a bit more
of that. Radio tends to be more conversational. So well, yes,
(05:57):
we'll be calling the match, and if it's really close,
we'll be right on it. But we also have the
opportunity to sort of go into other areas and have
a bit of fun and involve our listeners in the conversation.
We get a lot of feedback and a lot of
questions from around the world.
Speaker 5 (06:11):
So where are we right now?
Speaker 1 (06:12):
We are in Master control for AO Radio. This used
to be the old press conference room back in the day,
but it's been repurposed and still looks the same, but
it's where the nerve center of AO Radio happens.
Speaker 5 (06:24):
So what match are you getting ready to call? Right now?
Speaker 1 (06:27):
We are going to be doing Citsipas and sinner. We're
going to be doing the fourth set at least of
this or part of the four set, because we do
time shifts so we don't wear ourselves out.
Speaker 11 (06:37):
So we're walking down the Walk of Champions and you're
getting ready to start calling the match. How do you
actually change commentators?
Speaker 1 (06:45):
So we normally have breaks that we take, so they're
pre recorded promotions for TA and this train open, everything
like that. So we have ninety seconds basically to change over.
So it means that the two commentators can get out,
we can go in, which takes a little while because
it's a very compact booth that we've got. So down
(07:05):
here at our commentary bunker, we've got a lot of
different radio stations, so the BBC is here, our host
broadcaster in Australia, Channel nine has a space here. There's
also Australian Open Radio, and then a local station in
Melbourne as well, a sports station takes the coverage and
they've got a commentary box too, So there's a flurry
of noise here, but it all makes sense when it
comes out at the other end.
Speaker 5 (07:26):
And what's the view down in the bunker.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
Well, it's actually a great view because we're a court
level basically, it's actually slightly lower than court level, so
we sort of can be at knee height, if that's
probably the best way to describe it. Peter Macato, Hello, Hello, Hello,
o Canny, Hello ron As this one on the backhand
of middle of the court big off foy and from Sinner.
Sitzipas goes a looping backhand working in the a court.
(07:49):
Now off point up a line. Sinner's there with a
point of his loan big backhand too big from Sitzipass,
another era and it is fifteen. All we've got Josh
in the back here just mat hush, it's great for
I'm picked up by scross called back canference in a
high ball sits a pass center, then a easy overhead
put away. He goes to fifteen or Josh works on
the Australian Open podcast, which you can catch on ozopen
(08:11):
dot com and all wherever you get your podcast from
game point for Citsipass serves out wide. Another ice sits
it pass two cents.
Speaker 10 (08:18):
To one on AO Radio.
Speaker 2 (08:20):
Live around the world, leaving Bejosh.
Speaker 5 (08:22):
He's gone.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
He's going standby.
Speaker 11 (08:25):
That'll be on the AO podcast.
Speaker 1 (08:26):
At some stage next couple of days. Yeah, when he
gets around editing lovely to see thanks for stopping by anytime.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Ten years ago, a twenty three year old Victoria Azarenka
lifted the Daphne Ackhurst Memorial Trophy for the second consecutive year.
She was the number one player in the world and
Melbourne was her playground. AO twenty three was something of
a renaissance for the now thirty three year old, who
was back in town and back in near career best form.
Let's rewind to day nine. Slides from Pergola, Cosse called
(09:01):
from Azarenka.
Speaker 10 (09:02):
The volley from Pagola goes live.
Speaker 8 (09:05):
Oh plenty took the piss put Victoria Azrenka on the
twenty twelve twenty thirteen champion.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
They threw to the semifinals. A vintage performance from Victoria
Azarenka has booked her a place in the semifinals in
Melbourne for the first time since her back to back
titles a decade ago. The six four to sixty one
win is her first over a top five player in
a Grand Slam event since she defeated Maria Sharapova in
twenty twelve.
Speaker 7 (09:29):
Yeah, I felt like, you know, especially last year, and
my tennis wasn't bad, but I wasn't really mentally there
to go out there. I played with a lot of fear,
with a lot of anxiety, and it really was difficult
to be brave and to take the right to make
the right choice is an important moment when you feel anxious,
when you feel hesitant, and I worked a lot on
(09:51):
my mindset, challenging myself on things that I wouldn't really
do before, and try to push myself forward, because you know,
when you achieved great success as a some times you
become conservative and you don't try a bit more hesitant
to try new things. And this offseason I was like,
you know what, I just be open minded, try new
things and put my head down and work hard.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
It's been ten years since Azarenka's last title in Melbourne,
a campaign that was marred by one of the lowest
points of her career when in the semi final against
Sloan Stevens, she was widely criticized for taking two medical
timeouts after relinquishing five match points at a critical stage
of the second set.
Speaker 7 (10:32):
It was one of the worst things that I've ever
gone through in my professional career, the way I was
treated after that moment, the way I had to explain
myself until ten thirty pm at night because people didn't
want to believe me. And I actually can resonate what
Novak said the other day. There is sometimes like incredible
(10:53):
desire for a villain and a hero story that has
to be written. But we're not villains, we're not heroes.
We're regular human beings that go through so many many
things and assumptions and judgments, and you know, all those
comments are just you know, because nobody is there to
(11:17):
see the full story. And it didn't matter how many
times I said, I said my story, it did not
cut through. So it actually it's funny that you're saying that,
because I was thinking about it. Took me ten years
to get over it, you know, and I finally am
over that.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
AO twenty three was the thirty sixth holding of the
Australian Open at Melbourne Park or Flinders Park as it
used to be called when the event moved from its
previous home at Kuyong. Day ten of this year's tournament
marked a milestone for the Australian Open, But let's rewind
even further, all the way back to January eleventh, nineteen
eighty eight.
Speaker 4 (12:02):
The nineteen eighty eight Australian Open began at Flinders Park
and Melbourne flocked to the seventy million dollar center. All
were impressed with the space age Center court with retractable roof,
as well as the ease the access to the outside courts.
Speaker 11 (12:14):
Today Mark's five hundred days of Australian Open Main Draw
tennis played at Melbourne Park. We went down to chat
to some tennis legends about their favorite moments over the
last thirty six editions of the tournament.
Speaker 4 (12:25):
Sixteen year old Sydney boy Todd Woodbridge will go down
in history as the first player to win a tournament
match at the Center after beating American John Letzen straight
SAIDs on court ten.
Speaker 12 (12:35):
I remember really like it was yesterday. It was quite
an extraordinary opportunity to get a wild card into the
Australian Open, and I got a drawer.
Speaker 2 (12:43):
I played an American named John Latson.
Speaker 12 (12:46):
Somehow I won quite quite swiftly to get that honor
of being the first off the court. And funny enough,
a very young Eddie McGuire was the journalist that was
courtside who interviewed me on that particular day, and obviously
Eddie's got on to do some big things in the
media world. So it was and when you think about
the venue was so completely different back then as well.
Speaker 11 (13:09):
For Renet Stubbs, Marcus Bagdadis and Agni Eshka Radvanska. Their
success on the court is hard to forget.
Speaker 10 (13:16):
My favorite moment is the match point against Aalbandian in
the semifinals.
Speaker 5 (13:21):
I aced and I.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
Won the match.
Speaker 13 (13:24):
That's easy, winning the tournament two thousand and doubles and mixed. Yeah,
and I actually started my Grand Slam career here at
the Strain Open. The first year I was at Flinder's Park,
you know, before it became Melbourne Park. So I've been
here to see all the changes and it's been remarkable
to see what they've done to the tournament.
Speaker 14 (13:41):
I think it was twenty fifteen my match against Azarenka
on Roaldavia Arena. She was number one and defending the
title from the year before, and it was one of
the best matches I played. And bidding her and ro
Labor that was quite a match.
Speaker 5 (14:01):
So I'll remember that three times.
Speaker 11 (14:02):
AO semi finalist Tommy hass and Sebastian Carters. Coach Raddick
Stepnik remembers Melbourne Park as a venue of highs and.
Speaker 15 (14:09):
Lows, a lot of great days, but also a lot
of tough days.
Speaker 12 (14:13):
You know.
Speaker 15 (14:13):
I've obviously loved coming here for so many years, I guess,
you know, the first time I really had a great
tournament here was in ninety nine. I was kind of
thinking about that on my flight over here last night.
That was twenty four years ago. That's kind of crazy.
Speaker 10 (14:25):
Definitely eleven years ago, winning first Grand Slam in doubles
with Leander Pace obviously the biggest moment for myself.
Speaker 5 (14:36):
On the other hand, I played here my.
Speaker 10 (14:38):
Last match of my career at the Oceane Open twenty seventeen,
so bittersweet.
Speaker 11 (14:45):
Melbourne Park has long been a special place for Barbara
Schett Eagle, Eva Meoli and Daniella hunt Kova.
Speaker 16 (14:51):
Probably one moment I will never forget this when we
played the doubles on market Quard Arena and whenever you
played with Anna corney Kova, the fans for us and
they were there and they were starting to sing songs.
They were singing a song about me ba ba ba
bah and it was just unbelievable the support we got.
And I think the the Australian crowd, the Melbourne crowd,
(15:14):
they're they're they're really very positive there. They get into
the matches, they're very knowledgeable and they give some great
energy and I love seeing that every single year.
Speaker 17 (15:23):
Winning the mixed doubles here doubles finals, semi finals in singles.
But then just looking from the outside, you know some
of the Roger Rafa Novak, Roger Novak Rafa A match
is we witnessed the I think it's something that's going
to stay with everyone forever.
Speaker 18 (15:40):
I think most of us love coming here in January.
We feel this is the most relaxing Randslam. The people
are so nice, the weather is beautiful, coming from Europe.
Speaker 11 (15:51):
But for the Brian Brothers, doubles come oot. The venue
always toss us up something unexpected.
Speaker 3 (15:56):
I think our best one was the two thousand and six,
our first title here. Justine Hennan pulled out after like
fifteen minutes of the women's final, so was a packed house.
The crowd didn't quite get their money's worth. They stayed
for the doubles and it was a three hour match.
We played into the wee hours of the night and
we ended up winning our first title. We're up partying
(16:16):
with Serena Williams.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
She treated us to a fun night on the town.
Speaker 11 (16:22):
Cheers to the first five hundred days at Melbourne Park.
He's to five hundred more.
Speaker 2 (16:31):
If we learned anything from the Special K's triumph at
a twenty two. It's that doubles is no longer the
domain of double specialists only. By the middle of Week two,
Ossie wild cards Rinky Hijakuta and Jason Kubler, the Ice Brothers,
were well on their way towards their own championship. Let's
rewind to day eleven, after they'd booked their spot in
(16:52):
the final. Momentum is the first word that springs to
mind about your campaign, Rinky. How import has momentum been
throughout the past week?
Speaker 19 (17:03):
Yeah, I mean I think it's been huge. I think,
you know, when we came into the week, we didn't
really know what to expect, and to get the first
round win under the belt and then obviously we had
a couple of slow starts, but to kind of pull
it around and then get the Aussie crowd behind us,
and yeah, just keep rolling with that. And when you
get a bit of momentum going and you're feeling confident,
(17:23):
I feel like, you know, anything's possible. So yeah, it's
been great. The last few matches have been crazy, and yeah,
I'm just hoping we can keep it going for Saturday.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
What's been the most surprising thing that you've discovered about yourselves?
Speaker 5 (17:36):
As a partnership do you think.
Speaker 20 (17:39):
I'ld honestly say probably the connection we've had on court.
Speaker 5 (17:41):
You know, we haven't.
Speaker 20 (17:43):
Played doubles before this, so it's I think it's surprising
for a team to sort of have success straight away,
and then almost the scary thing with us, I feel
like each match we're improving. You know, each match we're
slowly figuring out what each other likes a bit more,
We're figuring out, you know, where to hit certain balls
or in certain occasions. Yeah, then you know, just with
(18:06):
our energy as well. I feel Rinky brings a lot
of energy to the court and then you know, if
I can do my part and bring some back, then
you know, Rinky almost goes to another level. So that's
probably been the most surprising thing, but I'll happily take it.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
There's been an infiltration of singles players into the men's
doubles draw, it seems, over the past couple of years.
What difference does it make being a singles plaque coming
into a team you've never played together before, but doing
so well on the double scene. What's behind that?
Speaker 19 (18:34):
I mean, I'm honestly not too sure. I mean I
played a bit of dubs last year and I didn't
really have any success, So yeah, I'm not too sure.
To be honest, I guess, you know, singles players maybe
return quite well normally, just because you kind of face
sduff against a lot of different serves and a lot
(18:54):
of big servers in the singles game, so you kind
of have to adapt well and be able to do that.
And then, yeah, to be honest, I'm not really sure that.
I guess there's no real expectation for us when we
go out there. No one's expecting us to go out
and beat these pairs who are so well established in
such great players, So I guess, yeah, not having that
kind of pressure either, being able to play freely is
(19:16):
a pretty important thing.
Speaker 2 (19:18):
Jason, you've spoken press about, I guess your surprise and
delight being in your second doubles final in as many
years at the AO. What lessons did you learn from
from the mixed last year that you can bring to Saturday.
Speaker 20 (19:34):
I think I think just experiencing a final. You know,
there's a lot of emotions that you know before you
play that you feel. I think just having the experience
of aning sort of knowing what's coming, and then if
I can you know, sort of help rink his path
a little bit, let him feel that. You know, it's
normal to feel, you know, nervousness is normal to feel,
(19:55):
you know, excitement or to think about winning. You know,
that's all normal stuff probably that to be honest, And
you know, I've learned lots of little things, even from
just the Aussie guys that I've been hanging out with.
You know, I got to spend a lot of a
lot of time around Demon last year, you know, with
the Davis Cup as well with Rusty, So just being
around those guys that have been around in those those
(20:16):
big moments and those big courts so many times, you know,
they drop little things that you know, I put in
the memory bank and then if I can you know,
pass that on to Rink or even you know, Rinky,
if he passes anything on to me, you know we'll
take it and then, you know, just see how it goes.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
The Australian Open has always made of memorable matches and
magic moments, players bringing their best on the big stage,
spurred on by big crowds. Let's rewind to day twelve
when we ask the fans their favorite matches of the tournament.
Speaker 21 (20:50):
I love the match between the Ruin and that's right
blab But I want run to win that game because
I think he deserved it. But I think ruby Lev
did a great job though.
Speaker 5 (21:04):
I saw Djokovic and Dmitov, which is also much.
Speaker 22 (21:08):
It's been quite a lot of five Stentons, which has
been good. Probably Marry versus Vert teeny.
Speaker 5 (21:13):
It was good just to see them going.
Speaker 22 (21:15):
At each other. It could have gone either way.
Speaker 5 (21:16):
And it's good to see the old champ get.
Speaker 22 (21:19):
Up last night the semi final between as a ring
Cup and Revulquin. The atmosphere of her is really great
and people always support him and her opponent also has
a lot of spotors, so I think the atmosphere is
great and the competition is exciting.
Speaker 23 (21:39):
Oh I just said Andy Murray one because I was
living in the UK for for a few years and
we loved Murray for Wimbledon and then he kind of,
you know, wasn't not his best anymore. But this year
it's seeing he coming back and had all these fights
and it was that's amazing.
Speaker 2 (22:04):
Little did we know that one of the matches of
the tournament would come just a day later in the
women's final with Arena Sablenka fending off Wimbledon champ Elena Rebeikna.
Sabalanka's fourth round exit the previous year was a bitter
pill to swallow for the second seed, whose fifteen double
faults in the lost to kay Kinneppi precipitated a worrying
trend for much of the season, but twenty twenty three
(22:26):
brought new opportunities for the Belarusian, who arrived in Melbourne
with a new serve and a new sense of confidence.
Let's rewind to day.
Speaker 24 (22:34):
Thirteen, championship point again for the fourth time. She serves
down the middle of the forehand is really good again
from Rebeccina. She goes cross court, Rebecca, it's met by Sablenka.
Speaker 2 (22:47):
Oh that's too deep, that's too deep.
Speaker 11 (22:49):
From Rebecca man Arena.
Speaker 24 (22:52):
Sabalancha collapses on Roblairo Arena, shaking with the emotion of.
Speaker 6 (22:58):
Having broken through all the serving wise, the.
Speaker 24 (23:02):
Anxiety is coming out of that.
Speaker 1 (23:04):
Right now she is.
Speaker 6 (23:05):
The Australian Open champion.
Speaker 2 (23:09):
Sabile Anca recording seventeen aces and blasting fifty one winners
to win four six, six, three sixty four in two
hours and twenty eight minutes.
Speaker 25 (23:18):
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 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
(23:38):
I just changed how I feel like I start respect
myself more, you know, I start to understand that actually
I'm I'm here because I work so hard and I'm
actually a good player.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
Ultimately, Rebike and I was unable to find the solutions
to the problems. Sabile ancor posed.
Speaker 26 (23:56):
Not many girls can put me really under the pressure
and I and 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
(24:20):
to take it, and today I had some opportunities didn't
take so themag didn't.
Speaker 27 (24:25):
Go my way.
Speaker 2 (24:26):
Well, while Rebek and I was completing her press commitments.
The New Champion Arena. Sabalanka 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 19 (24:39):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (24:40):
Well, she was over the moon.
Speaker 11 (24:41):
She was lugging her trophy around, she had a glass
of sparkling in hand, and she was a complete contrast
to the player that we saw the part album Park
just twelve months ago.
Speaker 25 (24:50):
I think because of the last year The Australian opened,
I became a better version of myself and a better player,
and I I think it's just two different players.
Speaker 11 (25:02):
And newspapers are currently the printing the front page the
picture is you with the trophy.
Speaker 5 (25:08):
What do you think the headline should be?
Speaker 22 (25:10):
Oh, I don't know.
Speaker 25 (25:12):
It's a tough question. What should say? 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 uh and yeah,
(25:32):
and that she's this girl been through so so many
tough moments and then she she falls through it, and
she she's a Grand Slam champion, which is unbelievable.
Speaker 11 (25:44):
Those four championship points take me through those thoughts and emotions.
Speaker 25 (25:49):
I was super nervous. I was almost like shaking on
the court, and I was just keep telling myself that
that's okay. Nobody gonna give it easy for you, so
you have to work for it, and and and yeah,
that's it. I was still sicken after the matches for
another time minutes.
Speaker 11 (26:05):
I think last year you were a play 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 25 (26:16):
Oh, that's that's pretty crazy. And uh yeah, through hard working.
Speaker 2 (26:23):
Though, unless you were born before this century, you probably
don't remember a time in tennis before Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.
No other trio has dominated two decades more comprehensively, and
there's a good chance it won't ever happen again. Of
the past seventy eight Grand Slam men's singles titles, sixty
(26:44):
four have been captured by one of the Big Three.
Since I began covering the Australian Open in two thousand
and eight, they've won fifteen of sixteen, but there's one
man who stands head and shoulders above even his peers.
At Melbourne Park, let rewind day fourteen and the men's final.
Speaker 1 (27:04):
Championship point Djokovic down the ta forehand from city pass
is deep. Working now to the backhand of city pass,
backhand to backhand, both players and now Djokovich all willing
to wind up the line.
Speaker 5 (27:14):
He's just made it.
Speaker 1 (27:15):
Lock back from Cintebati goes along.
Speaker 6 (27:18):
And it is ten of the absolute best com going
back Dakovic. He owns this cords and he is back
in style.
Speaker 2 (27:30):
With the title secure, Djokovic climbed into his player box
and collapsed in heaving sobs.
Speaker 28 (27:35):
I have to say that this has been one of
the most challenging tournaments I've ever played in my life,
considering the circumstances, not playing last year, coming back this year,
and I want to thank I want to thank all
the people that made me feel welcome, made me feel
comfortable to be in Melbourne, to be in Australia. Only
(27:59):
the team and the family knows what we've been through
in the last four or five weeks, and this probably
is the I would say biggest victory in my life
considering the circumstances.
Speaker 18 (28:11):
You know, Novoquez is a player that pushes you to
your limits. And I don't see this as a curse.
I don't see this as like something annoying. This is
very good for the sport. To have competitors like him,
to have champions like him is very important for us
that want to get to his point one day and
getting our you know, assets kicked is for sure a
(28:34):
very good lesson. Every single time he has made me
a much better player. He has made my levels of
concentration get higher and hire every single time we get
to play him.
Speaker 2 (28:44):
Similar to Djokovic's twenty twenty one title, an injury that
jeopardized his campaign was ultimately not enough to stop the juggernaut.
His coach Goran Ivanisovitch, praising Djokovic's resilience.
Speaker 27 (28:56):
I don't say one hundred percent, but ninety seven of
the players if on Saturday when you get the results
of the MRI, you go straight to the referee office
and pull out of the tournament, But not him. He
is from other space.
Speaker 2 (29:11):
Not only does the twenty two time Grand Slam champion
draw level with Rafael Nadal on major titles. The pair
are now the only two men to reach double digits
at a single Grand Slam event.
Speaker 28 (29:23):
I think results peick enough for themselves. You know how
I feel in Australia, how well I have been playing
here over the last fifteen years. Actually it was exactly
fifteen years ago when I won my first Grand Slam
here in Melbourne, so it kind of makes this victory
even more unique and special for me. Kind of brings
back the memories from fifteen years ago. So we'd love
(29:44):
to come back. I'll keep on coming back as long
as I you know, I can perform at the highest
level and be able to be one of the candidates
to win a Slam.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
That's all for our week to rewind. I hope you've
enjoyed revisiting some of the best moments. It's from Australian
Open twenty twenty three. Join me again next week for
the latest tennis news, views and interviews. And don't forget
to subscribe to the AO Show so you don't miss
an episode every single week. And we'd love to hear
from you our wonderful listeners via the Aoshow at Tennis
dot com dot au. And finally, please rate and review,
(30:19):
so more tennis fans can enjoy the AO Show
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