The Court Report: Exclusives & Long Reads
The ‘fun’ factor: How new formats are winning over the Tour’s toughest
Whether it’s facing legends or battling amateurs for AUD $1 million, the 2026 Australian Open reveals an industry transformed, where even the fiercest athletes are trading the tension of the locker room for the shared joy of the stadium.
More data, less hype: Novak prioritizes biomechanical precision over betting on Big Four reversed forces this year in Melbourne
Far from 2025 Murray vibes, the 10-time champion has returned to Melbourne with a streamlined team and a clinical focus on the “kinetic chain”.
Once blessed with computer-like recall, memories fading for Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and others
Now that the intensity and need is no longer there, it seems the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are letting go much of their past.
Machac to Tennis Majors: “I traveled to Australia with big doubts about whether I could even play”
Tomas Machac arrived in Melbourne to face a daunting Australian Open draw and called back Tennis Majors to share his state of mind after a resilient start to 2026.
Sabalenka vs Kyrgios: Before the Battle of the Sexes, the Battle of Visions
One side calls it progress; the other calls it a stolen, hollow imitation. Sunday’s clash in Dubai between world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and maverick Nick Kyrgios resurrects the iconic 1973 gender face-off with a digital-age twist – but the fiercest fight is happening off the court.
De Minaur after his UTS triumph : “My game suits up quite well”
Sinner calling for a “real Davis Cup”, Zverev naming the current form “an exhibition”, top players asking for massive changes
“Do we want gladiators into the lion’s den with no feelings?” – interview with Francisca Dauzet about mental toughness
Cervara: “Continuing with Daniil would have been a risk, for him as well as for me.”