World No.1 Kerber Named Among Forbes' 30 Under 30
Angelique Kerber was named among Europe’s 30 Under 30 according to Forbes; how much did the two-time Grand Slam champion earn in her breakthrough 2016 season?
Angelique Kerber was named among Europe’s 30 Under 30 according to Forbes; how much did the two-time Grand Slam champion earn in her breakthrough 2016 season?
Watch defending champion Angelique Kerber’s practice session ahead of the start of the Australian Open.
MELBOURNE, Australia – The first Grand Slam of the year is almost here as the Australian Open kicks off in Melbourne on Monday. The doubles draw is out, and Bethanie Mattek-Sands reunites with Lucie Safarova in hopes of defending her No.1 ranking against a trio of challengers.
But Serena Williams and Venus Williams threaten to blow the draw right open as they will take the court together to compete in doubles for the first time since the Olympic Games.
Click here to see the full singles and doubles draws.
POTENTIAL QUARTERFINALS:
[1] Caroline Garcia / Kristina Mladenovic vs [5] Martina Hingis / CoCo Vandeweghe
[3] Ekaterina Makarova / Elena Vesnina vs [7] Julia Goerges / Karolina Pliskova
[8] Vania King / Yaroslava Shvedova vs [4] Sania Mirza / Barbora Strycova
[6] Chan Yung-Jan / Chan Hao-Ching vs [2] Bethanie Mattek-Sands / Lucie Safarova
STORYLINES TO WATCH:
Garcia & Mladenovic are making their 2017 debut: The No.1 seeds Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic are set to play together for the first time in 2017 at the Australian Open. The reigning French Open champions have always been adamant that their focus was on the singles competition, and at times seemed almost baffled by their continued doubles success. But the pair are back together for the first major of the year, and even have a shot at becoming co-No.1s.
“As we repeated well enough, we are singles players, our priority is singles,” Mladenovic told WTA Insider at the WTA Finals, where they reached the semifinals. “[But] even if we are singles players, just to be able to say that you’ve been No.1 in the world in doubles, is such a pride.”
The French team will play Belinda Bencic and Ana Konjuh in the first round.
The No.1 ranking could change hands again: Newly-crowned World No.1 Bethanie Mattek-Sands has barely had time to savor her rise to the top before her ranking is back into play. Garcia, Mladenovic and Elena Vesnina all have a shot at becoming World No.1 by the end of the fortnight.
Of course, should Mattek-Sands and Safarova take home the Australian Open title, the ranking will stay with the American. But that’s easier said than done….
Serena Williams and Venus Williams join forces: Looming in Mattek-Sands and Safarova’s side of the draw are Serena Williams and Venus Williams. The veteran doubles team is joining forces for the first time since the Olympic tennis event, where they lost in the first round to Czech duo Safarova & Strycova. Between the two of them they’ve amassed 14 Grand Slam titles in doubles, making them a veritable threat in any major tournament.
Seeded No.15, they could potentially book a third-round clash with Mattek-Sands/Safarova, throwing a wrench in the works for Mattek-Sands’ defense of her newly-gained top ranking.
– Photos courtesy of Getty Images
An interview with Shelby Rogers after her win in the first round of the Australian Open.
MELBOURNE, Australia – The 2017 Australian Open begins on Monday in Melbourne, with World No.1 and defending champion Angelique Kerber headlining the first night session on Rod Laver Arena. What else do you need to know about your favorite WTA stars as the first Grand Slam tournament of the season gets underway?
Click here for a full analysis of the draw, courtesy of WTA Insider.
1. Kerber contends for first-ever major title defense.
Kerber came away with an impressive haul of Grand Slam titles in 2016, bookending the season with wins Down Under and the US Open – taking the No.1 ranking at the latter. 2017 is a new ballgame for the German, who will seek to defend a major title for the first time in her career. Her first opponent is Lesia Tsurenko, with the likes of Eugenie Bouchard and Roberta Vinci looming in her section of the draw.
2. Serena could reclaim No.1 in Australia.
In the other half of the draw stands 22-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, who is firmly in the hunt for her seventh Daphne Akhurst Memorial Trophy in Melbourne. The American would have to reach the final to have a chance at wresting the No.1 ranking from Kerber; click here to find out how it would all have to shake out.
3. Radwanska feeling in Grand Slam rhythm.
Armed with a new racquet, No.3 seed Agnieszka Radwanska is the high seed in Serena’s half of the draw, projecting a rematch of their 2016 semifinal encounter Down Under. Radwanska shrugged off a tough week in Shenzhen to reach the final at the Apia International Sydney, but has a potentially tricky opener against Tsvetana Pironkova. The Bulgarian beat Radwanska in their most recent meeting at last year’s French Open.
4. Halep in hot pursuit of first major title.
No.4 seed Simona Halep also started her year in Shenzhen, but arrived last week for some early preparation in Melbourne on the advice of coach Darren Cahill. The Romanian opens against American Shelby Rogers, and is aiming to build on her pair of quarterfinal appearances earned in 2014 and 2015.
5. Cibulkova seeking Singapore stepping stone.
No.5 seed Dominika Cibulkova ended 2016 on an all-time high, winning the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global and reaching a best-ever ranking of No.5. The Slovak’s biggest major success came in Melbourne, where she reached the final back in 2014.
6. Is this Pliskova’s breakthrough moment?
Karolina Pliskova fell before the second week in her first 17 Grand Slam appearances, but made up for lost time in style at the US Open, where she rolled past both Williams sisters en route to the final. The Czech looked just as tough in Brisbane to start 2017, winning the tournament alongside new coach David Kotyza and moving back up to a career-high of No.5.
7. Muguruza feeding off good Melbourne memories.
Garbiñe Muguruza enjoyed a strong start to the season before injury forced her to retire from the Brisbane International semifinals. Still, the the No.7 seed feels fit and fresh ahead of the Australian Open, starting off against New Zealand’s Marina Erakovic on Monday.
8. Kuznetsova rounds out Top 8.
Kuznetsova burned some serious rubber on the Road to Singapore last fall, narrowly qualifying to become the story of the tournament, reaching the semifinals. This year, Kuznetsova is feeling calm as she hopes to surpass the quarterfinals, her previous best finish in Australia.
9. Venus & Serena headline the doubles draw.
The Australian Open women’s doubles draw came out on Sunday, with Wimbledon winners Venus and Serena Williams coming in as the most dangerous floaters in the draw, seeded No.15. The pair could play No.2 seeds Lucie Safarova and new World No.1 Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the third round.
10. No.1 up for grabs in Australia.
The singles No.1 isn’t the only ranking under threat at the Australian Open. Mattek-Sands narrowly took the top spot from Sania Mirza in Brisbane, ending the Indian star’s 91-week reign. But Elena Vesnina and the French team of Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic all have a shot of taking No.1 during the fortnight. Click here to find out how.
Dominika Cibulkova recalls her best memories from the Australian Open.
Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)
Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)
Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)
Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)
Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)
Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)
Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)
Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)
Elena Vesnina poses at the famous graffiti laneway Hosier Lane in Melbourne on Day 1 of the 2017 Australian Open. (Credit: Fiona Hamilton, Tennis Australia)
Tennis apparel companies are ready for the 2017 Australian Open, and Marija Zivlak of Women’s Tennis Blog will show us the latest performance wear that will help WTA players bring their A-game to the sunny courts in Melbourne.
Angelique Kerber will defend her title in a stunning blue and orange outfit inspired by the tournament’s environment: the mystery blue reflects the Australian Open courts, the layers of the adidas Melbourne Tank symbolize depth of the ocean and sky combined with sun-washed graphic, while pops of bright orange represent the ever-present Australian heat.
The super-lightweight performance clothes combats the scorching heat with ClimaLite materials, which encourage quick evaporation of sweat, and Climacool technology, which enhances the body’s ability to regulate its temperature.
The adidas Melbourne Skirt, featuring printed compression shorts and wrap design, nicely matches the top’s spaghetti straps, as well as orange adidas adizero Ubersonic shoes that the world number one Kerber is set to launch at the first Grand Slam of 2017.
Garbine Muguruza will wear the new slim-fit adidas by Stella McCartney Barricade Dress in hypergreen and white. The item combats extreme heat with Clima™ technologies and seamless structures with mesh cutout details. The reigning Roland Garros champion will complete the look with the flexible and supportive adidas by Stella McCartney Barricade footwear.
Switching from dresses to separates, Caroline Wozniacki will sport the form-fitting seamless adidas by Stella McCartney Barricade Tank in vibrant hypergreen and bold blue alongside the matching skirt that features the designer’s signature laser-cut holes. The Dane’s adidas by Stella McCartney Barricade Boost 2017 shoe is crafted from premium materials and features BOOST technology, about which the former world number one says: “BOOST is something you need to feel to believe; my game is more energised and I’m lighter and faster on my feet.”
After dominating last year’s Australian Open with her yellow crop top and pleated skirt, Serena Williams is ready to once again blow us off our feet with her Nike Spring Serena Premier Power Dress, whose outstanding features are the striking print that resembles piano keys at the extended bottom hem, stylish thin vertical slits at upper back and solid panels at the bust and upper back that contrast the slightly sheer body of the dress.
Eugenie Bouchard will also rock a black and white look, debuting the Nike Spring Premier Crop Top, featuring half-length raglan sleeves and rounded side vents, and the Nike Power Spin Premier Skirt, which stretches as you move, but then recovers its shape for supreme support.
Venus Williams will sport the Competitor Dress from the EleVen Thika collection.
The print’s hues resemble a tropical sunset, with the blurred crossing lines representing the last sunrays of the day.
Lotto’s Agnieszka Radwanska will showcase the Nixia III Dress, which we have already seen during the Pole’s first two tournaments of the season, the Shenzhen Open and the Apia International Sydney. Lotto Stratosphere II shoes will be Radwanska’s choice for the Australian Open, created for players who cover the entire court, therefore requiring a shoe that is stable while providing advanced mobility and reactivity during fast movements.
Fila’s athletes will present not one but two outstanding collections.
Karolina Pliskova and Jelena Jankovic are set to wear pieces from the new Heritage collection, which reflects the brand’s rich history in the game with its clean color palette and a variety of timeless designs. Paying homage to Fila’s original Italian aesthetic, the range offers three silhouettes of tops that can be paired with two skort styles, while the highlight piece is the Heritage Polo Dress.
The Sleek Streak collection, to be worn by Yaroslava Shvedova, Timea Babos and Irina-Camelia Begu, takes a bold approach to on-court styling, complete with vibrant hues, eye-catching graphic prints, and standout finishes.
New Balance’s Heather Watson will rock the printed Yarra Tank, an athletic racerback piece featuring stylish slit openings along armholes, and the Tournament Skort in color firefly, featuring an engineered elastic waistband with cutouts and printed built-in compression short. The shoes that complement this look are New Balance 996v3, equipped with ProBank technology that keeps your foot stable and in optimal position during fast lateral movements.
Nicole Gibbs is set to promote the same kit, only her ensemble is pink and white.
Judging by the Australian Open designs, we can look forward to another stylish year on the WTA circuit.
Angelique Kerber recalls her best memories from the Australian Open.
For Johanna Konta, the opening weeks of the new season could hardly have gone any better. Picking up from where she left off at the end of 2016, Konta has continued to rack up the wins and on Friday evening collected her second career title thanks to a dominant victory over World No.3 Agnieszka Radwanska at the Apia International Sydney.
Success in Sydney will have tasted particularly sweet for Konta, who was born in Sydney and learnt the game in the nearby suburb of Collaroy before moving to Britain as a teenager.
Her return to Australia’s cultural capital has afforded plenty of time to catch up with old friends and family, including elder sister Eva, who is married to AFL player Shane Mumford.
“I’m just really happy I get to stay here a little bit longer,” Konta said after her quarterfinal win over Daria Kasatkina.
“I think it’s more just about prolonging my stay here, more than anything, because I get to spend a bit more time with my sister.”
#SAPStatOfTheDay: @JoKonta91 did not drop a set ALL week en-route to @SydneyTennis Title! pic.twitter.com/AFZXwPPLua
— WTA (@WTA) January 13, 2017
However, with one piece of silverware in the bag the 25-year-old’s focus is now firmly set on the Australian Open, where she reached the semifinals 12 months ago. Friday’s draw handed her a first-round date against Kirsten Flipkens, with Caroline Wozniacki and Dominika Cibulkova also lurking in her quarter.
The last British player to win the tournament was Virginia Wade in 1972, and on current form, the Briton will fancy her chances against all-comers. Ever the consummate professional, though, she is taking nothing for granted: “I’m really pleased with just the amount of matches I have been able to play. Obviously how I have done here, I take it as a really positive thing, as a nice reward along the way for the hard work that myself and my team have put in every day.
“But it’s not a reflection of how next week will go, how the rest of the year will go. It’s back to everyday hard work, because that’s what dictates how I do.”
Perfect backhand down the line from @JoKonta91! ?
Wins @SydneyTennis Final Shot of the Day! pic.twitter.com/G6k8xrlTwx
— WTA (@WTA) January 13, 2017
A meticulous approach to each and every aspect of her game has characterized Konta’s rapid ascent of the tennis ladder. As impressive as her shotmaking is at times, her mental fortitude is arguably the cornerstone of her game.
During the off-season Konta parted ways with Esteban Carril, the coach who helped chart her passage from the outer extremities of the Top 100 to the game’s elite. Impressively, the changes behind the scenes – which also included the death of sports psychologist Juan Coto – do not seem to have jolted Konta from her unerring path to the game’s summit.
She is now working with the much-respected Wim Fissette, who looks to have successfully harnessed the career momentum that has helped her win 22 of her past 27 matches.
Fissette, who has worked with Sabine Lisicki, Simona Halep, Victoria Azarenka and most famously Kim Clijsters, has a fine track record. In Konta he has another potential success story on his hands.
Very happy with winning the title @SydneyTennis pic.twitter.com/9RLwNPun4h
— Wim fissette (@wimfissette) January 13, 2017
The next step for his charge is Grand Slam glory. She has tasted it briefly, reaching the US Open fourth round twice, as well as last year’s run at Melbourne Park, and her consistency bodes well for another good showing over the coming fortnight.
“I do feel with myself that I am playing a good level. And the way it’s coming through, so far, is it’s been consistent over the last two weeks,” Konta said after beating Radwanska.
“But like I said, it’s no reflection of how the Australian Open will go… There are so many things that are a factor, and most importantly, I will continue to look at my health, happiness. And again, that will give me the best shot at trying to be consistent, like Aga. That’s pretty hard.”
She will begin her campaign on Tuesday, offering sufficient time to recover from her Sydney exploits. The conditions in Melbourne are likely to be every bit as brutal as they were in Sydney, where the WTA’s heat rule came into play on several occasions.
Konta began refueling for the battles ahead in the moments following the trophy ceremony, a British favorite getting her ready for the Antipodean press pack. “Because it’s quite late, I’m not too sure [what to eat]. I had a ham-and-cheese toasty, which was amazing!”
