Hot Aussie Summer

The year’s first major is well underway, and the action is really starting to heat up.

As always, there is plenty to discuss, so let’s get into this week’s topics!

New Videos!!

We have another brand new video on our channel this week!

It covers the rising Brazilian Next Gen star Joao Fonseca!

Check it out and let us know what you think!

What Happened Last Week?

The Australian Open is entering week two, and, as always, there were a few HUGE upsets in week one.

Two of the biggest upsets on the men’s side involved Americans. 

Qualifier Learner Tien had the biggest 2nd round upset when he took out #5 seed and last year’s finalist Daniil Medvedev. The American was up 2 sets to none, but had to survive a Meddy comeback, eventually getting the W 6-3 7-6 (4) 6-7 (8) 1-6 7-6 (7).

Another American, #4 Taylor Fritz, was on the other side of an upset. In what was arguably the upset of the tournament, Fritz fell to 38 year-old Gael Monfils in four sets 3-6 7-5 7-6 (1) 6-4. Didn’t we say last week to never count out the Frenchman? 🤔

Even though the highest ranked American man is out, there are still 2 in the quarterfinals: #12 Tommy Paul & #21 Ben Shelton. 

The women’s draw hasn’t been as chaotic as we’ve become accustomed to, but that doesn’t mean there haven’t been some big-time upsets.

#4 seed Jasmine Paolini was taken down by #28 Elina Svitolina. The Ukrainian, who is married to Monfils, pulled off the upset right after her husband did on the SAME court! That’s the definition of a power couple.

Other notable first week upsets included Olga Danilovic taking down #7 Jessica Pegula, Veronika Kudermetova over #15 Beatriz Haddad Maia, & #19 Madison Keys defeating fellow American #10 Danielle Collins & #6 Elena Rybakina back to back.

9 of the top 8 seeds have advanced to the quarterfinals across both draws.

It’s shaping up to be an exciting finish in Melbourne!

Live Ranking Update: The Biggest Movers Of The Week

Eva Lys stuck around on site after she lost in the final round of qualifying. Then, Anna Kalinskaya withdrew, Lys took her spot, and is now into the 4th round. As a reward, she is up 37 spots, and makes her top 100 debut at #91.

Veronika Kudermetova is finding some of the form that got her into the top 10 a few years ago. Kudermetova upset #15 Beatriz Haddad Maia in the 3rd to make the 2nd week and up her ranking 24 spots to #51.

Learner Tien has fully thrust himself into the spotlight of the tennis world this week. The 2024 Next Gen Finals runner-up is already proving that he is ready for the big time with a first Grand Slam 4th round in Australia. So far, he is up 41 spots to #80, 34 spots higher than his previous career high. 

Alex Michelsen is another American rising to a new career high. He is up 7 spots to #35. 

Tommy Paul is set to make his top 10 debut following his run to the quarterfinals of the Aussie Open.

Major Tournament Updates

While everyone’s attention is still the Australian Open, let's look ahead to what's coming up next:

• WTA Singapore Tennis Open (January 27 - February 2)

• WTA Upper Austria Ladies Linz (January 27 - February 2)

• ATP Montpellier Open (January 27 - February 2)

• Davis Cup Qualifiers 1st Round (January 31 - February 2)

Watch Out For These Players

Eva Lys:

This 223 year-old German has been one of the feel-good stories of this year’s Aussie Open. 

She lost in the final round of qualifying, but stuck around until Anna Kalinskaya withdrew just before the start of the first round of the main draw. She's been playing with house money ever since, and should take plenty of confidence from this run going forward.

(Fun fact: Lys has had to cancel her flight home twice this week already because she just kept winning!)

Learner Tien:

Many were unfamiliar with this 19 year-old from Irvine, California prior to this week. That is no longer the case.

He has played 6 matches just to make it to the 4th round, but has played some incredible tennis all week. 

Tien is no stranger to success. In addition to the Next Gen Finals, Tien won the 18s USTA Boys’ Junior Nationals when he was just 16, and won 3 Challenger-level titles last season.

We may just be seeing the next great American on tour, and maybe he will be the one to end the drought of major titles for American men.

The amount of matches Lys & Tien played eventually caught up to them in their fourth round losses, but they should both still hold their heads high after an incredible run!

Off The Court

WADA Won’t Appeal In Swiatek Doping Case:

Iga Swiatek’s one-month suspension for failing a drug test will not be appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

WADA announced that it will not appeal because Iga’s explanation “is plausible”. 

Her provisional suspension occurred in October through November. It was in November that the ITIA made the issue public.

WADA’s statement read, “WADA sought advice from external legal counsel, who considered that the athlete’s contamination explanation was well evidenced, that the ITIA decision was compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code, and that there was no reasonable basis to appeal it to the CAS.”

This is an interesting move by WADA, as they are appealing the Jannik Sinner doping case, but it is important to note that Sinner was not suspended initially.

Rafter Named Vice Captain For Laver Cup:

Two-time US Open champion Pat Rafter will replace Patrick McEnroe as vice captain of Team World for 2025.

The announcement was made on Sunday, and Rafter seemed grateful for the opportunity: “It’s an honor to take on this role. The Laver Cup is a phenomenal event, and being part of something that honors Rod Laver and past generations of tennis is very special to me.”

Rafter will support captain Andre Agassi at the event in San Francisco in September. 

Djokovic Skips Interview Following Broadcaster Comments:

Novak Djokovic skipped his on-court interview after his fourth round win in protest of comments made by Australian broadcaster Tony Jones.

In a news segment on Friday, Jones heckled Serbian fans, and made comments about Novak, saying he was “overrated” and a “has-been”. Jones also said “kick him out”, in what he later confirmed was a reference to 2021 when Novak was deported because he was unvaccinated from COVID-19.

Novak shared his thoughts on the matter in a video posted to his X account:

On Monday morning, Jones issued a public apology to Djokovic and the Serbian fans. He said that he thought he was engaging in “banter” with the fans, but admitted that he crossed the line. 

Tennis Australia issued a statement adding that “Novak acknowledges the apology has been given in public as requested, and is now moving on and focusing on his next match.”

Djokovic is set to face Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals, in one of the most anticipated matchups of the tournament. 

Highlights Of The Week

Check out some of the highlights so far from the Australian Open!

One Last Thing!

Just a quick heads up, there is a super cool on-court series coming soon to the Courtside Tennis YouTube channel.

The series will be filmed in Miami, Florida over the next few months. So, if you’re around the public courts in south Florida, be sure to keep an eye out for Noah!

He’s always looking for a hitting partner, hit him up! Click Here For Noah’s Instagram 👀