Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka leave Melbourne with the big silverware after claiming the men’s and women’s titles at the Australian Open.
For Djokovic it was a ninth title from as many finals, while Osaka lifted a grand slam trophy for the fourth time at the end of a challenging fortnight for players and organisers.
Here, the PA news agency picks out five things we learned.
Putting on tournaments is hard
Djokovic still reigning
Osaka number one
Serena’s quest continues
After her semifinal loss to Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams leaves the pressroom in tears.#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/g95Fva006O
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) February 18, 2021
Was it a wave goodbye or a see you next year? Only Serena Williams knows whether the lingering look she gave Rod Laver Arena after her semi-final defeat by Osaka had any greater significance. What was very clear was how much the defeat hurt, with Williams leaving her post-match press conference in tears. At 39, it is obvious that time for her to win that much-coveted 24th grand slam singles title is running out. But Williams really is not far away, and the improvements she made to her fitness and movement during the off-season bode well for the rest of the year.
Tennis needs Kyrgios
