🎾 The Australian Open Kicks Off!

Happy Tuesday! The Australian Open is officially underway, with the opening round bringing both stunning upsets and dominant performances from the sport’s biggest stars. From Next Gen breakthroughs to potential farewell matches, Melbourne Park is already delivering high drama.

In this week's newsletter:

• ☀️ Week 1 Gets Underway in Melbourne: Key Storylines and Matches to Watch

• 🎾 Weekly Roundup: Claims, Champions, and Cocktails

• 💐 Player Spotlight: Giving Gaël Monfils his Flowers

🧠 Tennis Trivia Challenge 🧠

☀️ Week 1 Gets Underway in Melbourne: Key Storylines and Matches to Watch 🦘

Opening Round Brings Mixed Fortunes: World No. 1 Jannik Sinner began his title defense with a straight-sets win, while top seeds Alcaraz, Zverev, Sabalenka, and Swiatek all comfortably advanced in their opening rounds. In a concerning development for Bulgarian fans, Grigor Dimitrov was forced to retire in the second set of his opening match due to a lingering hip issue. In an emotional moment, Nick Kyrgios fell in straight sets, with the Australian fan favorite later suggesting that it might have been his final singles appearance in Melbourne, citing ongoing injury struggles.

Next Gen Makes Noise: American teen Nishesh Basavareddy (read Nishesh’s player spotlight) made a strong impression on the big stage, taking a set off Djokovic before the 24-time major champion found his rhythm. In a stunning display, Alex Michelsen upset Stefanos Tsitsipas in four sets and now has an outside shot at reaching the quarterfinals, with potential matchups against Karen Khachanov and Alex de Minaur. Fellow American Learner Tien claimed his first grand slam victory in a five-setter, earning a second-round showdown with Daniil Medvedev. On the women’s side, 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva continued her rise, dominating her first-round match in convincing fashion.

Key Storylines: Former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka showed glimpses of her best in a hard-fought three-set victory, on track for a potential fourth-round clash with Coco Gauff, who dispatched 2020 champion Sofia Kenin in straight sets. Meanwhile, Matteo Berrettini continues his comeback journey as he prepares to face Holger Rune in the second round, a significant test in the Italian's bid to return to the top of men's tennis. All eyes remain on the loaded quarter featuring both Djokovic and Alcaraz, as both players embark on what could be a blockbuster quarterfinal clash.

Looking Ahead: Ben Shelton and Lorenzo Musetti appear poised for an explosive third-round encounter. Meanwhile 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals champion João Fonseca defeated Andrey Rublev in straight sets to book a clash with Lorenzo Sonego, who downed three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka, with the winner likely to face Frances Tiafoe. On the women’s side, Gauff seems headed for an intriguing third-round battle with Leylah Fernandez, who fought through a tight opening match.

🎾 Weekly Roundup: Claims, Champions, and Cocktails 🎾

Novak Djokovic recently claimed he was poisoned during his 2022 detention in Melbourne, making the explosive allegation in a GQ magazine interview. He stated that tests conducted after his return to Serbia revealed a “very high level of lead and mercury” in his system, allegedly from food consumed at the detention facility. The Department of Home Affairs declined to comment, while food safety experts called the claims “very unlikely.” Despite the controversy, Djokovic emphasized he doesn’t “hold any grudge” against Australia, where he has won a record 10 Australian Open titles.

Final Australian Open tune-up events see multiple champions as Felix Auger-Aliassime secured his sixth career title at the Adelaide Open, defeating Sebastian Korda 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. Madison Keys triumphed in the women’s final, defeating Jessica Pegula 6-3, 4-6, 6-1. At the Hobart International, McCartney Kessler stunned Elise Mertens 6-4, 3-6, 6-0 to capture her second title. In Auckland, Gaël Monfils became the oldest ATP singles champion in tour history, defeating Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-4 (read our Monfils spotlight below).

Jannik Sinner's doping appeal hearing is set for April 16-17 at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), where the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) seeks a one-to-two-year ban after Sinner tested positive for clostebol in March 2024. Tennis authorities dismissed the case after accepting Sinner’s explanation that the contamination came from his physiotherapist’s healing spray. (read case details in our December 17 newsletter)

Grey Goose serves up new Australian Open tradition with the launch of the Lemon Ace cocktail, today's trivia answer and the tournament's newest sensation. Inspired by the success of the U.S. Open’s Honey Deuce, which generated $12.8 million in 2024 sales, the Lemon Ace features Grey Goose vodka, passionfruit syrup, and sparkling lemonade, topped with a tennis ball-inspired lemon garnish. Available exclusively during the tournament, the cocktail debuts alongside Grey Goose's new partnership as the Australian Open's official vodka sponsor.

💐 Player Spotlight: Giving Gaël Monfils his Flowers 💐

Gaël Monfils became the oldest champion in ATP Tour history at the 2025 ASB Classic in Auckland at 38 years and 132 days, breaking Roger Federer's mark of 38 years and 74 days. When told he had surpassed Federer’s mark, the Frenchman responded with his trademark charm: “I didn’t know [until] you just told me.”

From gifted athlete to tennis showman? Born to Caribbean-French parents in Paris, Monfils showed his athletic talent early, winning the U-13 and U-14 French 100-meter championships before focusing on tennis. His explosive speed and agility became hallmarks of his game, earning him the nickname “Sliderman” for his acrobatic movement and flair.

How did his Auckland journey unfold? Playing through back pain, Monfils opened with a remarkable comeback, trailing Pedro Martínez 6-1, 5-2 in the first round before fighting back to win in three sets. “La Monf” followed with victories over Jan-Lennard Struff, Facundo Díaz Acosta, and 19-year-old Nishesh Basavareddy, who is exactly half his age. In the final, he defeated Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-4. Two decades after his first ATP title in Sopot, Monfils continues to prove his relevance on tour.

What drives him today? Now married to tennis star Elina Svitolina and father to 2-year-old Skaï, Monfils plays with renewed purpose. "I'll try to win another one for her," he said before the final. He remains passionate as ever, promising "I've been enjoying myself since the first day I played tennis, and at 60 years old, I will still have this joy."

Currently ranked World No. 41, Monfils maintained his electric form with a thrilling 7-6(7), 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-7(5), 6-4 victory over fellow Frenchman Mpetshi Perricard in the first round of the Australian Open. He continues to electrify crowds with the same joy and athleticism that has defined his career for over two decades, building anticipation for what he might achieve in the coming rounds.

🎥 Reel of the Week 🎥 

We reached 1,000 followers on Instagram! Make sure to follow us if you haven’t yet! Here’s our best reel from last week, which has already amassed 400,000 views!