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Nick Kyrgios will donate AUD $200 to bushfire relief efforts for every ace he hits during the Australian Open.
Tennis Auction To Raise Funds For Bushfire Relief
Jan202020
ATP Staff

Top stars donate memorabilia for fundraising auction

Tennis Australia has galvanised the global tennis community to raise funds for bushfire relief with a spectacular tennis charity auction.

Australia’s biggest ever live tennis auction is open now for people around the world to bid on once-in-a-lifetime experiences and memorabilia, with all proceeds going towards bushfire relief.

Items and experiences including, a photo with the two 2020 Australian Open champions, Naomi Osaka’s shoes from the 2018 US Open final, an hour lesson with Goran Ivanisevic, a private dining experience with Neil Perry for you and six friends, a painting by world No.1 Rafael Nadal and his ATP Cup teammates, Serena Williams’ shoes, signed tennis outfits, signed racquets and live concerts at Melbourne Park are just some of the exclusive items up for grabs with more items to come.

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The tennis community has rallied together across the Australian summer to raise much needed funds for Australian bushfire relief, with more than AUD $5.1 million raised so far through Tennis Australia’s Aces for Bushfire Relief initiative.

Another initiative calls for fans and players to pledge a donation for #Aces4BushfireRelief. Fans can pledge any amount for each ace served by their favourite player during the Australian Open.

The players with the most pledges as of 20 January are Roger Federer (116 pledges for a cumulative $523.35 per ace), Nick Kyrgios (67 pledges for a cumulative $300 per ace), Rafael Nadal (59 pledges for a cumulative $202.50 per ace), and Ash Barty (28 pledges for a cumulative $101 per ace). This is on top of the $100 per ace being pledged by the tennis community for aces served across the Australian Open, ATP Cup, Brisbane International, Adelaide International, Hobart International and Apis Canberra (Bendigo) International.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of the global tennis community, and the way players, officials, fans and other tennis organisations have united to raise money for those affected by the devastating bushfires,” Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said.

“We’re grateful for the terrific response but hope this is just the beginning, as we encourage everyone involved in our event to give generously. The players are responding with either direct donations of cherished personal items or their time, and we will continue to work with our partners, both national and international to contribute to this great cause.

“As we start the Australian Open, our thoughts are with those who have suffered loss and heartbreak due to these terrible fires, and we’ll continue to do everything we can to make a difference and help rebuild lives and communities.”

Kubot/Melo hold second seeds in Melbourne
The world’s best doubles teams seek an emphatic start to their season at the Australian Open, but will need to navigate a treacherous draw to finish as the last pair standing.

Defending champions and top seeds Pierre-Hugues Herbert/Nicolas Mahut return to the site of their most recent Grand Slam title, which made them the eighth men's doubles team in history to complete the Career Grand Slam. The French pair start against Simone Bolelli/Benoit Paire. Bolelli won the title here in 2015 (w/Fognini).

“We had our first practice session this morning,” said Herbert. “We're really happy to be back together on court. We had an amazing end of the year. We’re just going to try our best. We know it's a Grand Slam [championship]. Every match is not easy to win. We're going to try to bring some of the things that worked last year into this year. We'll see where it goes.”

Mahut added, “The expectation is to have fun on court. If we have fun on court, the results will follow. We need to spend more time on the court. First, he has to play his singles tournament, then hopefully we win the first one or two matches, have some rhythm.”

Herbert/Mahut could face Adelaide champions and No. 15 seeds Maximo Gonzalez/Fabrice Martin or Henri Kontinen/Jan-Lennard Struff in the third round. Kontinen lifted the trophy three years ago in Melbourne (w/Peers). Sixth seeds Marcel Granollers/Horacio Zeballos are also in their quarter.

Second seeds Lukasz Kubot/Marcelo Melo open against Guillermo Duran/Diego Schwartzman. Kubot seeks his second crown in Melbourne after prevailing in 2014 (w/Lindstedt). Kubot/Melo are in the same quarter as eighth seeds Jean-Julien Rojer/Horia Tecau.

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Third seeds and reigning Roland Garros champions Kevin Krawietz/Andreas Mies kick off their campaign against Alexander Bublik/Mikhail Kukushkin. The German pair share the same quarter as fifth seeds Wesley Koolhof/Nikola Mektic and No. 10 seeds Mate Pavic/Bruno Soares. Pavic's maiden Grand Slam title came here in 2018 (w/Marach). Soares took the title in 2016 (w/J. Murray).

Fourth seeds Ivan Dodig/Filip Polasek begin against wild cards Blake Ellis/Alexei Popyrin. They could have a blockbuster third-round clash against No. 11 seeds and six-time champions Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan. The Bryans are playing in Melbourne for the last time as they kick off their final season on tour. Seventh seeds John Peers/Michael Venus loom as potential quarter-final opponents.

Bolivian to face World No. 1 on Rod Laver Arena

There’s no doubt; dreams can come true for those who restlessly pursue them, and they have for Hugo Dellien, who will take on Rafael Nadal in his Australian Open debut on Tuesday at Rod Laver Arena. For the World No. 73 from Bolivia, it is a huge reward after a career full of setbacks that he has had to work extremely hard to overcome.

Before the clash, Dellien sat down with ATPTour.com to talk a little about his past and the challenge he is about to face against the World No. 1.

Let’s start with the present; the first round of the Australian Open, Rafael Nadal.
It’s a great opportunity, a reward after so many years of sacrifice to reach this level. Tennis is not easy. Finding a place among the best in the world to play this standard of tournament... It’s the first time I’ll play an Australian Open, and no Bolivian has been at this tournament before.

It’s really incredible. I qualified to play here twice, but one time I was injured and couldn’t come and the other time I got married. Everything happens for a reason, I see it as a very special tie. Hopefully I can enjoy it and compete at 100 per cent.

All eyes will be on you on Tuesday, and there will be a lot of people who will possibly be discovering you as a tennis player for the first time. Who is Hugo Dellien?
I consider myself to be a person who has always tried to achieve his dreams, whatever the cost. It’s not easy because there are always obstacles in your way. It was extremely hard for me, above all because of the country I come from.

I’m not being disparaging, on the contrary, I’m so proud, but in terms of sport we’re not on the same level as the world powers. It is more difficult because of the simple fact that I have to go and live somewhere else. I fought and made various sacrifices in my life, and I think that all those things have helped me to see each moment differently.

I think it makes me a player who puts 100 per cent into every match, whoever the opponent is. I stopped playing tennis for a year, but now I see it as part of the path to here. I learned a lot from that. As much as things might not go as I want, I’m a person who always learns from everything. I tend to see the positive side of things.

What did you learn in that year when you decided not to touch your racquet?
In the season when I abandoned tennis, I learned several things. I had some savings, about $15,000 that I’d earned playing tennis. So, I started an ice company with my father using that money, with the idea of working there. I invested it all.

I have a memory that I will never forget; I went to take money out from a cash machine and I had nothing in my account. I felt so embarrassed because after such a long time I had to ask my father for money again. Maybe that was the moment when I realised that tennis was my thing. I decided to go as far as I could with it, and here we are now.

At Roland Garros in 2011, you trained with Nadal. What are your memories of that day?
All tennis lovers see Federer and Nadal as everything, the best players in history. It was my first training session with a player of that class. I was playing in the junior French Open, and everything was kind of crazy. I felt so nervous. The good thing was that Rafa arrived a little late and during that time waiting I calmed down a little bit and I was able to enjoy it.

I was chatting with Toni Nadal and Carlos Costa for a while, and I relaxed. Apart from the distance, it is pretty similar to this situation now. I’ve known since Thursday that I’m facing Nadal. These types of opponents provoke something extra in you than others, and having time has allowed me to let it sink it so that I can be relaxed and react to it differently. Conversely, if you meet them in the second or third round, you only have a day and it’s more difficult.

How has the news gone down in Bolivia?
It’s crazy.

Why?
It’s incredible, it’s as if I’ve won a Grand Slam, but I’m just playing against Nadal. It’s because of what Rafa generates. I don’t know if any Bolivian might have played against a world number one, and on top of that at a Grand Slam. Bolivia is treating it like a football World Cup final.

How do you deal with that?
I try not to pay attention, not to find out about what’s happening. I have the pressure of playing against Rafa here. It’s motivating, but what happens if I’m not good enough? It’s normal to ask yourself that.

They are experiencing it through this huge euphoria after some really difficult times in the country, politically speaking. I feel happy to be able to give them that joy. Nothing has happened, it’s just a draw, but it makes us proud to see the Bolivian flag against a World No. 1 on the centre court of a Grand Slam tournament.

More than losing, are you scared you might not enjoy it?
I have thought about it, yes. What happens if I lose 6-0, 6-0, 6-0? Nothing happens. If I lose 6-0, 6-0, 6-0, I lose with that score. I’ve dreamt of this moment all my life. If I lose and feel like I’m not good enough... If that happens, worse things have happened in my life. If someone asked me three years ago if I wanted to lose three sets 6-0 to Nadal here, I would take it without any doubt. In that sense, it also gives me peace of mind that, whatever happens on the court, I have achieved a very significant goal.

How have you prepared for the match?
I don’t know if it’s good or not, but I’m preparing in two ways. These players provoke different emotions to everyone else. I’m trying to manage that from a psychological point of view so that I can go on court without thinking that Nadal is on the other side. Then, once I’m convinced, I’m going to consider my tactics for how to play against him and try and hurt him.

Víctor Estrella Burgos played against Nadal in the first round of the Australian Open in 2018, and he promised to go back to the changing rooms with no t-shirt, socks or shoes if he won. Are you up for it?
Alejandro Fabbri, who’s my coach, was his coach at the time. We were talking and we remembered that match. He lost, but he enjoyed it, and quite a lot. You can play a great match and lose easily because Nadal is crazy good. If I win, the next match I’ll dye my hair with the colours of the Bolivian flag.

Medvedev, Thiem, Wawrinka also in action
Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer got the Australian Open off to a flying start on Monday. But now World No. 1 Rafael Nadal will take centre stage in Melbourne on Tuesday.
Nadal, the 2009 champion, will face Bolivian Hugo Dellien for the first time in the opening round. The Spaniard begins his chase to tie Federer’s record of 20 Grand Slam titles. The 19-time major winner is pursuing his second Australian Open trophy.
Top-seeded Nadal is trying to become the first man in the Open Era to win all four major titles at least twice. Only Rod Laver and Roy Emerson have accomplished the feat. Nadal could also win the US Open and the Australian Open back-to-back for the first time, becoming the sixth man in the Open Era to do so.
Most Grand Slam Men's Singles Titles (all-time)
1. Roger Federer 20
2. Rafael Nadal 19
3. Novak Djokovic 16
4. Pete Sampras 14
5. Roy Emerson 12
But the legendary lefty will be focussed on the task at hand against Dellien, a 26-year-old who won a career-high 12 tour-level matches in 2019. The five-time ATP Challenger Tour titlist will be making his main draw debut in Melbourne against Nadal, who has lost in the first round of a major just twice.
“I am practising I think more or less okay. Just two more days of practice [remain for me],” Nadal said at his press conference on Saturday. “Let's try to keep going with the right intensity and with the right feelings. Hopefully I will be ready for Tuesday.”
Nadal has advanced to at least the quarter-finals in 11 of his past 12 Australian Open appearances dating back to 2007, and he carries plenty of momentum after leading Team Spain to the final of the inaugural ATP Cup. The last time he lost to someone ranked as low as World No. 73 Dellien was when then-World No. 143 Denis Shapovalov beat him at the 2017 Coupe Rogers in a final-set tie-break.
Medvedev
Also beginning his tournament on Tuesday is No. 4 seed Daniil Medvedev, the two-time ATP Masters 1000 champion who made his first Grand Slam final at last year’s US Open. The Russian No. 1 takes a 1-0 ATP Head2Head series lead into his opener against 2019 Australian Open quarter-finalist Frances Tiafoe, a fellow Next Gen ATP Finals alumnus.
“I think it's a nice headline, I would say, two young guys,” Medvedev said. “It's a great matchup. He was in the quarters here last year, again [he will be] super motivated. But I think it's going to be a great match. Of course, I want to do my best to win it. Hopefully I can show some good tennis. [Playing] like this, I'm going to have my chances.”
Active Grand Slam Finalists Without A Major Singles Title
Kevin Anderson 2017 US Open, 2018 Wimbledon
Daniil Medvedev 2019 US Open
Kei Nishikori 2014 US Open
Milos Raonic 2016 Wimbledon
Dominic Thiem 2018-19 Roland Garros
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 2008 Australian Open
Medvedev is in good form, having pushed World No. 2 Djokovic in a three-set battle in the semi-finals of the ATP Cup. He earned three Top 20 wins at the inaugural 24-country event, defeating Fabio Fognini, John Isner and Diego Schwartzman.
One player who wasn’t as successful at the ATP Cup is No. 5 seed Dominic Thiem, who went 1-2 in Sydney. He will try to find his rhythm against Frenchman Adrian Mannarino. The Austrian star will take confidence knowing he has won all seven of their matches.
Thiem has never advanced past the fourth round at Melbourne Park, but he showed great improvement on hard courts last season, winning the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells and making the championship match of the Nitto ATP Finals.
<a href='https://www.atptour.com/en/players/nick ... view'>Nick Kyrgios</a> is the 23rd seed at this year's <a href='https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/ ... Australian Open</a>.
The Aussie fans will be excited to see home favourite Nick Kyrgios in action, as the World No. 26 faces Italian Lorenzo Sonego, who made the quarter-finals of last year’s Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, a clay-court Masters 1000 event.
Kyrgios played Sonego for the first time at last year’s Western & Southern Open, winning 94 per cent of his first-serve points in an 80-minute 7-5, 6-4 victory in which he did not face a break point.
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“Sonego is a tough competitor,” Kyrgios said. “It was a tough match. Very capable player. Big serve. Loves to hit his forehand. I'm not thinking about it too much at the moment. I’ve got a couple more days to prepare, enjoy the vibes around the whole Aussie Open. I'm just taking it day by day.”
#NextGenATP Canadian star Felix Auger-Aliassime will make his main draw debut in Melbourne, facing a Grand Slam semi-finalist in Ernests Gulbis, a qualifier here this year. The 19-year-old beat Gulbis 7-5, 6-3 in Stuttgart last year, and he will hope to find his best form after admitting at the ATP Cup that he struggled finding a rhythm after switching to a slightly-altered racquet during the off-season.
<a href='https://www.atptour.com/en/players/stan ... view'>Stan Wawrinka</a> is going for his second <a href='https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/ ... Australian Open</a> title this fortnight.
Other stars in action include 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka, 2018 Nitto ATP Finals champion Alexander Zverev, two-time major finalist Kevin Anderson and high-flying No. 10 seed Gael Monfils.
Perhaps the hardest matchup for those players is World No. 92 Damir Dzumhur, who takes a 2-1 ATP Head2Head lead into his battle against Wawrinka. The three-time ATP Tour titlist most recently beat the three-time major winner in Geneva last year.
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Although Wawrinka could take the racquet out of almost any opponent’s hands with his physical and powerful baseline game, Dzumhur is a speedster in the backcourt, who has a knack for putting an extra ball back into play. If the Swiss is not firing early, Dzumhur will not give him many freebies.
The red-hot Russian Andrey Rublev, who has already won titles in Doha and Auckland this season, takes on Aussie wild card Chris O’Connell. The World No. 16 has overtaken Karen Khachanov as the second-ranked Russian in the FedEx ATP Rankings.