It’s been an adventurous couple of days at the Australian Open 2023, with some shock exits in both the men’s and women’s draw.
Here are Lagate Raho’s selected highlights of the first four days of tennis action:
- The weather has been crazy
From severe heat one moment to torrential rain the other, this year’s Australian Open has kept the crowd’s and player’s guessing about when the next weather-related delay is coming.
- Rafa’s body couldn’t hold out
The defending champion and top seed Rafael Nadal just didn’t look ready for this year’s tournament. His pre-tournament hard court preparation was inadequate and the draw he was handed looked grueling from the get-go.
- Murray looks the freshest amongst the old-guard
One man who was barely given a chance in his opening round encounter was Britain’s Andy Murray, who was handed a meeting with Italy’s big-serving Matteo Berrettini. Yet, after more than 5 hours of tennis, Murray emerged victorious. It was a gritty performance where all Murray’s experience at the top level truly counted.
- Shocks, shocks and more shocks
Seeds have been tumbling out at this year’s open. Nadal and Berrettini are by far the biggest names to be dumped out, but others such as Casper Ruud, Aslan Karatsev, Botic Van de Zandschulp have all lost out early. In the women’s matches, Petra Kvitova, Daria Kasatkina and Emma Raducanu have made uncharacteristically early exits.
- The world missed Kyrgios
The biggest miss from the 2023 Australian Open has to be local boy Nick Kyrgios who pulled out of the tournament due to a niggling knee injury. His volatile tennis and on-court antics are sure to be missed by tennis fans across the world.