Agent-to-the-stars Nikki Mathias (nee Craig) was one of the busiest women in Melbourne on Wednesday.
Mathias’ boutique management company looks after some of the biggest names in Australian sport, including eight-time world champion surfer Stephanie Gilmore, but two star clients were front and centre on this day.
Ash Barty back at Melbourne Park on Wednesday.Credit:Getty Images
Former world No.1 and last year’s retired Australian Open champion Ash Barty was hitting balls again at Melbourne Park – not on Rod Laver Arena but at nearby Margaret Court Arena – to help launch this year’s First Nations Day at the Australian Open. Mathias then dashed across the footbridge to be with another client, Melbourne Demons AFLW superstar Daisy Pearce, who announced her retirement after a sensational playing career.
“They’re both great people first, and they have now both retired, but I’m more excited about what’s to come,” Mathias said.
“They’re so credentialed in what they’ve done, and they’re actually really similar people, who get along really well and are so humble and giving to other people, and great leaders.
“Ash sent ‘Daise’ a message yesterday because she knew what was coming.”
Mathias jokingly told Gilmore she had to keep going.
“I’m just so proud of them and they handle themselves so beautifully,” she said. “I’m not an expert in sports, so you do your best to support them as people, and their opportunities won’t stop just because they’ve stopped playing.”
BALLS STILL ON AGENDA
Emerging Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime is the latest player to lash the Australian Open’s Dunlop balls.
Ousted defending champion Rafael Nadal was particularly scathing on tournament eve, saying they were “worse quality” and did not generate the same spin, while Stan Wawrinka agreed they lost “a lot of pop” after a few games.
Auger-Aliassime, another player who thrives on ‘lively’ tennis balls, said during his match on Wednesday: “I never complain about this … but the balls are not bouncing.” Novak Djokovic also has a theory that this year’s balls are leading to longer matches.
The players are making enough noise for Craig Tiley to notice but nothing is going to change at this point, so the player who adapts best might have the inside running to the 2023 title.
AMERICAN REACHES MILESTONE
John Isner’s serve is the major reason why he ascended to a career-high ranking of No.8 and boasts a Wimbledon semi-final and two US Open quarter-finals on his extensive resume.
At 37, Isner is nearing the end of his excellent career – but he is still setting (or extending) records.
Ace up his sleeve: The big-serving John Isner.Credit:Getty Images
His rain-affected match against France’s Adrian Mannarino was held over from Tuesday night, but he had enough time to hit the 12 aces required to reach 14,000 for his career.
Isner added two more to tick over to 14,002 before play was paused, and that is a record tally since the ATP Tour began tracking the statistic in 1991.
SWIATEK TUNES UP
Iga Swiatek produced one of the most dominant WTA seasons on record last year after her nemesis Ash Barty retired, so no one would have advised her to change anything.
But it seems the Pole grew tired of her pre-match playlist and is trying some new tunes as she chases a maiden Australian Open title.
“I actually just changed my playlist before the match,” Swiatek revealed after moving into the round of 32 on Wednesday.
“I was listening to the same songs for two years, so it was tough, but it’s working.
“Hopefully, these songs aren’t going to mess up my head.”
KOOYONG KARMA
Anyone considering changing their preparation for next year’s Australian Open should give Kooyong Classic tournament director Peter Johnston a call.
The beloved exhibition event returned to Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club last week with rave reviews after a two-year COVID absence.
But, there is more: 10 players who competed at Kooyong won their first-round matches. Those to advance were Australia’s Alex de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin, Rinky Hijikata and Kim Birrell, as well as Andy Murray, Taylor Fritz, Grigor Dimitrov, Linda Fruhvirtova and Frances Tiafoe. American Tiafoe has since moved into the last 32.
Jannik Sinner, who is also into the third round, planned to play at Kooyong but withdrew due to a hip injury.
TEMPERS FLARE
Greek title contender Maria Sakkari was unimpressed with Russian teenage qualifier Diana Shnaider’s youthful exuberance during their second-round match.
After recovering from 0-40 to draw level at five-all in the second set – and having already pocketed the first set over the No.6 seed – Schnaider did as 18-year-olds do, pumping her fist and screaming “C’mon”.
Maria Sakkari, right, is congratulated by Diana Shnaider after their match.Credit:AP
A frustrated Sakkari laughed, then angrily told the chair umpire: “If she screams one more time in my face; I’m going to call the referee.”
Sakkari had the last laugh, fighting back to win 3-6, 7-5, 6-3. After the match, she noted that Schnaider “never did it again” and “that was very nice of her”.
GREEN THUMB
German 12th seed Alex Zverev spent the second half of last year on the sidelines after a debilitating ankle injury from the French Open, which he thought could spell the end of his career. Turns out he used the downtime to think about his carbon footprint.
The 25-year-old has worked with environmental consultancy Carbon Clarity to establish that between him and his team, his travels are responsible for about 250 tons of carbon emissions a year.
No plans to retire from the tour to go plant trees, however. Instead, Zverev is asking tennis fans to walk and cycle to matches where possible, buy sustainable products and “tell everybody you know” at social events about your eco-friendly choices.
