New for 2019, our Friday “Hot Shots” series will feature some of the most interesting tennis happenings that may have gone under the radar each week, whether it’s on the court, in the pressroom, on social media or anywhere else on the ATP and WTA Tours.
This week, it’s all about the Australian Open.
Serena’s trophy collection and thoughts on gender equality
As her chase for a record-tying 24th career Grand Slam singles title heats up, Serena Williams was asked where she keeps all her trophies in an on-court interview with former U.S. Davis Cup captain Jim Courier.
With 72 WTA singles titles and 23 in doubles, Williams could be forgiven for losing track of a few – though there is one that she has kept since she was 8 years old.
“I’ve never been a hoarder,” she added, before breaking out into laughter after her second-round win over Eugenie Bouchard.
On a more serious note, Williams also had a thoughtful response in her later press conference when asked about the controversial Gillette commercial regarding “toxic masculinity,” as the questioner put it. Though she had not seen the ad, she had this to say:
“I do think it's important for men and women to stand up together. I think it's important for us both to work together, and women not work against men, and them not work against women. They should all be together.
“If we can have help from men saying, ‘Oh, women deserve equal play, women deserve equal C-suite jobs, to be on board seats,’ this is very important if men are advocating it as well as women. That's the only way to make that change. That's something I've been really trying to advocate myself on different boards that I've been on.”
Tsitsipas looking to avoid Federer
After reaching the fourth round at a major for the second time in his career (Wimbledon in 2018), Stefanos Tsitsipas was asked about the prospects of a Round-of-16 matchup against either Roger Federer or Taylor Fritz.
Ultimately, he would not get his wish, as the Swiss took out Fritz in straight sets to set up a marquee fourth-round clash. Despite the loss, and being on the end of some good-natured ribbing from his fellow ATP Next Gen star, the 21-year-old American gave a strong account of himself in Melbourne, as he matched his third-round run at the US Open – tying a career best at the majors.
Muguruza, Konta battle until 3:12 a.m.
After taking the court at 12:30 a.m. local time, the latest start in Australian Open history, the pair battled deep into the Melbourne night, until Garbiñe Muguruza wrapped up a 6-4, 6-7, 7-5 second-round victory in two hours, 42 minutes. Though the match did not threaten the latest finish in Grand Slam history – a 4:34 a.m. finish between Lleyton Hewitt and Marcos Baghdatis in 2008 – it will be remembered not only for its end time, but also for the high level of tennis that both women displayed.
After the match, Johanna Konta voiced her displeasure at the late start: “I don't think it's ideal for anyone to do any physical activity when it's bedtime. But it is what it is. Both of us were in the same boat. We both had to deal with the same challenge.”
She later called it “dangerous” to be playing so late.
Roger Federer, who has grown accustomed to night-session matches throughout his career, was asked about the late finish at his own press conference.
Said Federer: “I also went, after the first day – I didn't even finish so late – but I also went to bed at 3:15 or 3:30. It's just what we do. I think as tennis players you have to be flexible, especially in the head. We don't know if we play at 11 or 1 or super late. It's not like a team sport, where you know the kickoff time is at a certain time. We are used to playing three times in the juniors in a day. This is part of our life, and we actually like it like this. There is no solution, I think.
