👋 Welcome back to The Daily Theory, our morning rundown to help you stay on top of your favorite sport. I’m Allen McDuffee, your guide to all things tennis.
On tap today, we’ve got: Jannik Sinner’s multiple opponents, Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic, Madison Keys moves on, Elina Svitolina on facing Russian opponents, plus a whole bunch more.
Let’s tennis!
Four Points
🎾 Jannik Sinner’s two opponents: It was a strange match for the world number one, who limped, shook, and generally suffered on his way to a four-set win against Holger Rune. It was a battle against Rune, as well as his own body. “I was not feeling really well. I think we saw that today, I was struggling physically. Came here as late as possible. I knew that it was going to be very, very difficult today – playing against a tough opponent, but also playing against myself a little bit.”
🎾 Djokovic’s Channel Nine boycott is over: The completely unnecessary distraction that Tony Jones served up is — at the moment — over now that Jones, who has a record of inappropriately making himself the story instead of presenting it, has apologized for what many saw as mocking both Serbian fans and Novak Djokovic. “Novak acknowledges the apology has been given in public as requested,” read a Tennis Australia statement issued on Monday, “and is now moving on and focusing on his next match.” Worth noting: the statement says “acknowledges” and not “accepts.” This episode may not be done just yet.
🎾 The luckiest loser: The story of Eva Lys, the 23-year-old Australian Open lucky loser, who was receiving treatment when she learned she had made the main draw just 10 minutes before her match, has come to an end after losing to Iga Swiatek 6-0, 6-1. “It’s definitely the nicest week I’ve had in my life just because it wasn’t really only about the result, but also about the whole story,” Lys said. “This is the week I’ve been working for, for ages. I was always waiting for that moment. I’ve had a lot of nights where I was actually talking to my parents, often with tears, asking, When will the time come?” The time has come — and with a huge payday that genuinely (and adorably) shocked her.
🎾 Speaking of records: Alex de Minaur became the first Australian man since 2015 to make the AO quarterfinals, while also making personal history of the final eight at all the majors after defeating young American Alex Michelsen in straight sets. “There is nothing I want to do more than play well here in Australia in front of you guys. I am glad I finally made it to the quarter-finals. Let’s go for bigger and better things.” Up next is a bigger ask against Jannik Sinner, who holds a 9-0 record against the Aussie.
And, that’s game.
What They Said
Making my first semifinal here was absolutely amazing. Eventually losing to the champion, Serena, that was, I think, the first time that I played her. It was incredible to be able to play someone who has meant so much to me and the game. I think that was probably one of the best ones...Losing to Ash [Barty] wasn’t. That was one that I tried to forget.
-Madison Keys reflecting on her two Australian Open semifinal appearances after defeating Elena Rybakina to reach the quarterfinals.
Watch This!
🔥 Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz (Quarterfinals — Australian Open): This is the match much of the tennis world has been waiting for. Aside from one of their seven matches, these are battles not to be missed. But it’s been six months we’ve been denied an Alcaraz-Djokovic treat, making this one that much tastier. Maybe that scarcity is for the best. Following their last meeting at the Paris Olympics, Alcaraz returned to the court seemingly a bit broken, bouncing out of the next tournaments in the early rounds. But he’s back on track now, and so is Djokovic, who is improving with each round.
- The record: Djokovic leads this head-to-head 4-3. He also took the most recent outing — that thrilling and emotional final at the Olympics last year. The two have only faced each other once on an outdoor hard court, and that was in 2023 when Alcaraz beat Djokovic by the tightest of margins in Cincinnati.
- On the line: In the off-season, he added muscle to his body, weight to his racket, and some extra technique to his serve. He wants to see how all that work measures up against one of his top rivals as he tries to close in on the career slam at just 21 years old.
For his part, Djokovic is looking to get back on track at majors after not winning one all of last year. He also wants to show that he still measures up against the younger players at the top of the game after not facing one of them since September, when he lost to Jannik Sinner in Shanghai.
Keeping an Eye on...
- Coco Gauff vs. Paula Badosa (Quarterfinals — Australian Open)
- Tommy Paul vs. Alexander Zverev (Quarterfinals — Australian Open)
- Aryna Sabalenka vs. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Quarterfinals — Australian Open)
Learn how to watch today’s action over at Tennis Watchers.
Read, Watch, Listen
- Emma Navarro survives yet another three-setter, and she now faces Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals.
- The Athletic’s Matt Futterman previews Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz.
- Elina Svitolina says she doesn’t prepare differently when she faces Russian players, but: “It’s just I feel the spirit is different,” she said. “If I’m not going to win, I’m going to almost die on the court: I'm not going to let her win that easy.”
- The Guardian takes a look at tennis fashion at the Australian Open over the years. Notice anything missing?
- The World Anti-Doping Agency said it won’t appeal the ruling against Iga Swiatek.
