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Centre court tribute for tennis pioneer
There will be a touching tribute on Rod Laver Arena tonight when the late Esna Boyd is welcomed into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame.
Boyd, who passed away in 1966 aged 67, won eight Australian titles – one singles and seven doubles crowns – and played in the first Australasian women’s final in 1922.
Australian tennis pioneer Esna Boyd.
Three of Boyd’s granddaughters have flown in from the UK to take part in the centre court ceremony, which will take place before the 7pm singles match between Aryna Sabalenka and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
A bronze bust of Boyd, created by Melbourne sculptor Barbara McLean, will be unveiled in Melbourne Park’s Garden Square.
Known for her powerful forehand and bright personality, Boyd helped launch the growth of women’s tennis in Australia.
She was a member of the first Australian women’s team to tour overseas in 1925 and won multiple Victorian, New South Wales and South Australian titles.
“We have always known and cherished her memory and now her fame and achievements have exploded,” granddaughter Vicki Weinand said.
“It is really exciting and a privilege for three members of the family to be part of.”
Djoker wants to introduce ‘nice dancers’
In the days before Novak Djokovic declared war on sports presenter Tony Jones, he suggested tennis could be spruced up by “nice dancers” during an extended mid-match break.
The 24-time grand slam title winner believes tennis could do with an overhaul to attract more young people, such as replicating the type of half-time entertainment used for American sports such as NFL and NBA.
Novak Djokovic believes tennis could benefit from more on-court entertainment.Credit: AP
“Why can’t we do something between sets?” Djokovic said after beating Tomas Machac in the third round.
“Like at Super Bowl or in NBA? When there’s a break, they have dancers who come in and do all sorts of things. I wouldn’t have had anything against it.
“Nice dancers for a few minutes, so that there are more breaks, so I can calm my nerves and think about something else. I think it would have added more fun and entertaining elements to tennis, which is otherwise quite traditional and conservative in many parts.”
We reckon the tennis should provide enough of its own highlights on Rod Laver Arena tonight when the Djoker takes on world No.3 Carlos Alcaraz in a quarter-final.
Gauff rejects half-time show idea
American Coco Gauff is not a fan of bringing American football-type entertainment into the world of tennis.
When asked about the concept, the world No.3, who is first up on Rod Laver Arena today at 11.30am against Spaniard Paul Badosa, said the short breaks between ends in tennis made the sport incompatible with a half-time break and show.
Coco Gauff beats Belinda Bencic in the fourth round of the 2025 Australian Open.Credit: Eddie Jim
The issue is that we have only a minute, which I honestly think that our changeovers here [in Melbourne] should be a little bit longer,” Gauff said after her round-four match.
“I guess it depends on how long you want the show to go on. I don’t think it’ll be like NFL where it’s actual 50-minute half-time, that would maybe be too long,” she said.
“I think the sport can be fun and there are things that could happen, but it would be tough with only a minute and a half to make something crazy happen… But that’s definitely an interesting thought, I was not expecting that from Novak.”
Demon’s mum steals the show
If Alex de Minaur’s emotional mother, Esther, did not steal the show on Rod Laver Arena on Monday night, she at least made our hearts melt.
Moments after her battle-hardened son advanced to his first quarter-final at the Australian Open with a straight-sets victory over American Alex Michelsen 6-0, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, cameras caught her covering her face with her hands after she was overwhelmed with emotion and tears.
The moment came immediately after match point. The camera initially zoomed in on de Minaur’s fiancee, Katie Boulter, in his player’s box before it became apparent that mum was struggling to hold it together.
She was comforted before composing herself, applauded her son and then embraced Boulter. It was a real Hollywood movie moment.
“She was a mess,” de Minaur told Nine on Monday night. “I saw the replay, and she got quite emotional. It was great to see.”
Alex de Minaur’s mother, Esther, rides the emotions on Monday night.Credit: Eddie Jim
“My whole family is here. They have been able to come over and watch me play, and it is truly special.
“I am glad they have been here to witness this ride. Hopefully, it is not over yet.”
De Minaur, who is aiming to become the first Australian man to win his home Open since Mark Edmondson in 1976, plays world No.1 Jannik Sinner in a quarter-final tomorrow. We are sure that his mum will be following every point.
Alex de Minaur advances to the quarter-finals.Credit: Getty Images
Weather forecast
Another hot day ahead at Melbourne Park.
The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a top of 33 degrees. So slip, slop, slap, people – which means appropriate clothing, sunscreen and a hat. And guzzle that water.
The temperature looks like it will peak in the early afternoon, meaning the quarter-final between Tommy Paul and Alexander Zverev, scheduled to start from 2pm on Rod Laver Arena, will be played in the hottest part of the day.
Today’s schedule
Let the day 10 action begin
It’s day 10 of the 2025 Australian Open, and we have a blockbuster day of blogging ahead.
Following Alex de Minaur’s straight-sets victory on Monday night, everyone is now talking about tonight’s mega showdown between world No.3 Carlos Alcaraz and one of the greatest players of all time Novak Djokovic.
Can the veteran Djokovic land a winning blow, or will the heir apparent continue his march towards his first Australian Open and a fifth grand slam title? Alcaraz defeated the Serbian in last year’s Wimbledon final, but Djokovic reversed the tables in the gold-medal singles match.
Stick with us to see who emerges the victor tonight. But until then, we will be covering all the quarter-finals matches, with stars Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka and Alexander Zverev out in force.
I’m Danny Russell and I’ll lead you through today’s action on and off the court.
