Nick Kyrgios managed to slip past the cameras for a practice session on the back courts at Sydney Olympic Park on Wednesday afternoon.
The Australian, who 24 hours earlier withdrew from the tournament due to an ankle injury, hit the practice court while fans and media were inside Ken Rosewall Arena for the opening match of the United Cup between American Taylor Fritz and Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka.
A couple of keen onlookers noticed Kyrgios’ bright-green Tesla.
Tournament officials reserve the practice courts for players competing in the tournament. Thankfully for Kyrgios, who no longer had the right to a court, there was a vacancy in the schedule to slot him in.
Lleyton Hewitt was on a nearby court with fellow Aussie John Peers. Hewitt touched down in Australia on Thursday morning after his flight out of the Bahamas was delayed.
Sirens and flies welcome Djokovic to Adelaide
Novak Djokovic on Wednesday fronted the media in Adelaide for the first time since touching down in Australia. He had to stop the press conference a couple of times.
Once for the police sirens going off nearby, and the second time because of a relentless fly buzzing around his face as he answered questions about the saga that unfolded upon his arrival in Australia last year.
He later explained why he chose Adelaide over the “Union Cup”. United Cup organisers would have been thrilled.
Nadal-Kyrgios showdown on ice – again
The Wimbledon semi-final that never was will have to wait for another day after Nick Kyrgios pulled out of the United Cup citing an ankle injury.
Of course, the pair were due to meet in the final four at the All England Club earlier this year before Rafael Nadal, who spent Thursday afternoon with Spanish teammates on Sydney Harbour, gave Kyrgios a walkover.
Spain’s Paula Badosa and Rafael Nadal in Sydney Harbour on Thursday.Credit:Tennis Australia
But if tournament officials were fretting about the crowd for the scheduled Kyrgios-Nadal match then they needn’t worry.
The new Alex de Minaur-Nadal clash at Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena has almost sold out and of all the United Cup sessions listed over the next week, it’s the only one listed with low availability.
Kyrgios gave a nod to Nadal in a prolific day on social media when he reposted on his Instagram a quote the Spaniard had said a day earlier, claiming the enigmatic Australian was capable of winning any tournament he competed in. He added the caption “real know real”.
It appears Kyrgios also spent the first day of the United Cup preparing for a new tattoo if his Instagram is to be believed.
Stosur’s ready to make a racquet
If life really begins at 40, then Sam Stosur might eventually turn over a new leaf if she keeps up this pace.
Australia’s United Cup co-captain is only a few months away from her 39th birthday and has shown no signs of slowing down on the court, at least just yet.
While a bunch of United Cup captains including Great Britain’s Tim Henman have been hand-picked by each country’s top-ranked player, Stosur came to Sydney Olympic Park with her racquet.
Sam Stosur is keen to get on the court in Sydney.Credit:The Sydney Morning Herald
She’s expected to mix her duties as co-captain by playing in the mixed doubles on Friday night against the Henman-led Great Britain.
Asked if she was keen to play, Stosur said: “Absolutely. For sure. When they first started talking about it, I thought it was a great idea.
[Being captain] is a new experience for me. I wanted to touch base and let him know I’m happy for any sort of information or advice he can give me throughout the time.”
Off-Keys microphone stumps Madison
Madison Keys stepped up when it mattered to hand the United States a 2-0 lead with a straight-sets win over the Czech Republic’s Marie Bouzkova, but she had a far less pleasant time stepping up to the microphone for her post-match interview.
Madison Keys gave the United States a perfect start to the United Cup.Credit:Getty
The world No.11 was being quizzed by Casey Dellacqua when a screeching noise boomed through the microphone, forcing a visibly unimpressed Keys to jump away from the stand. The only problem was it happened again a few moments later during the middle of the interview.
“That was a little tough, but I’m going to say that wasn’t my fault,” Keys said. “Hopefully, that doesn’t happen again.”
Farrow’s seen it all before
If you thought the Nick Kyrgios controversy would have rattled tournament director Stephen Farrow, then think again.
The man in charge of the United Cup has been behind a number of major tournaments around the world previously, including the Queen’s Club Championship, played right on the doorstep of Wimbledon.
It means stars, like Rafael Nadal, often withdrew at the 11th hour to preserve themselves for a grand slam, meaning last-minute changes to a draw are more commonplace than many think. It’s why Farrow was the coolest man on the ground amid the Kyrgios chaos on Wednesday.
Watch the United Cup live and free on the 9Network – Channel 9 and 9Gem. Every match will be available live on 9Now.
