Reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina has been shunted to the outside courts, in a brutal snub for one of many match’s drawcards.
Rybakina, who picked up zero factors for her Wimbledon triumph the place she defeated Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur, will face Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto distant from centre courtroom – and even one of many different present courts.
No, as a substitute she’ll be holed up on Court 13 within the baking mid-afternoon Melbourne warmth, along with her match scheduled for 4.15pm.
The determination incensed followers, with revered tennis author Ben Rothenberg marvel why the 23-year-old had been ‘so quickly disregarded’.
“Reigning Wimbledon champ Elena Rybakina got relegated all the way out to the hinterland of Court 13 for her first #AusOpen match,” Rothenberg wrote on Twitter.
“I understand there is a saturation of recent women’s Slam champs, to an extent, but has a reigning Wimbledon champ ever been so quickly disregarded?”
The scheduling of one-time US Open champion Dominic Thiem’s mouthwatering first-round match-up with fifth seed Andrey Rublev has additionally raised eyebrows.
The pair will open John Cain Arena on Tuesday, with the 11am begin not anticipated for a showdown of two of the highest-profile stars on the lads’s tour.
TSITSIPAS REVEALS UNIQUE SOURCE OF INSPIRATION FOR AUS OPEN
– OWEN LEONARD
Greek gun Stefanos Tsitsipas is drawing on samurai warrior tradition as he prepares for Australian Open battle in a bid for his maiden grand slam title.
The 24-year-old ace out of Athens will sport a enjoying package primarily based on the “ancient warrior spirit of Japan” for the match, impressed by his curiosity in finding out cultures all over the world.
Tsitsipas acknowledges the influence of Ancient Greek tradition – a deep and broad self-discipline in its personal proper – however says wanting past the historical past of his dwelling soil helps him attain an additional degree.
“I am interested in cultures, I am interested in languages. I know life goes beyond my culture, Ancient Greek culture, which has left a lot of marks behind in history and time,” Tsitsipas mentioned.
“There are other cultures out there that are also very exciting to learn about, to get to know better. Japanese culture is a very modest, very fair culture in their society, as well.
“It has intrigued me in a way to follow it more closely, to learn from it. I think there’s so many lessons you can take – even tennis players – by learning about history, learning about how things evolved.”
Tsitsipas says he was drawn to the samurai “fighting spirit”, a worth he hopes to embody via his marketing campaign.
“All these fighters that led Japan to its modern society today, traditions are hidden, they are there, but they are hidden.
“Not many people know about the Japanese culture. I have been very interested in learning more about it. The Japanese jersey represents me at its fullest.”
Tsitsipas commences his quest on Monday evening in opposition to Frenchman Quentin Halys, an opponent he hasn’t bothered to acknowledge.
“I don’t know,” he says when requested what he makes of his first-round activity. “I don’t know him at all.”
Researching historic cultures clearly leaves no time for finding out the world no. 64.
Still, Tsitsipas says the “right execution” will come from the “right preparation”, with “staying in the game” to be his chief focus for the match.
“I need to constantly be in the mindset of bouncing back stronger,” he mentioned. “We have younger guys coming from behind (and) we still have Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal playing good tennis.
“We’re dealing with a lot of different things being thrown at us. In my case, I know that this year a lot of things can be done. I have the capacity to withstand the pressures and the challenges.”
Originally revealed as Australian Open 2023 reside scores, schedule, order of play: Wimbledon champion snubbed
