Notebook 1 – The return of a veteran, the assurances of a boss and a player who writes history – rts.ch

NISHIKORI SORTI DU NEANT Melbourne offers a sort of “revival”, which immediately allows us to talk about a time that those under 10 cannot (almost) know about; an era which saw Kei Nishikori play the big arms at the top of the world hierarchy, on the heels of the “Big Four”, notably inviting himself 3 years in a row to the Masters (for 4 participations in total), climbing to 4th ATP rank , playing a Grand Slam final (US Open 2014) and 4 Masters 1000. All of this is classified in our archives, so much so that we almost believed we would never be able to find the Japanese under the spotlight. But on Sunday, 2183 days after his last victory at Melbourne Park, the now 35-year-old pulled away to beat Thiago Monteiro (4-6 6-7 7-5 6-2 6-3), not without saving 2 balls match. “I almost gave up“, whispered a very emotional Nishikori.

REBOUND MODEL This victory could be just one among others, but Japan has reason to be overwhelmed by emotion. Because since 2019, he has continued to go through difficult times, almost destroyed by multiple injuries (hip, knee, shoulder, elbow…). Nishikori held on and scoured the small tournaments to try to bounce back. It was from the second half of 2024 that he gradually found the light again, going up to 74th in the world. Sunday, he became the 2nd best player in history in 5-set Grand Slam matches. What’s next? It will be against Tommy Paul or Chris O’Connell. Not easy, but on the path to rebirth, everything becomes possible.

RUUD’S SUFFERINGS Casper Ruud is living a real love affair with the Geneva Open and Roland-Garros, but not with the Australian Open, where he suffers every year to be up to par. Proof again on Sunday, the Norwegian having almost taken the door against Jaume Munar, his training buddy, only coming out in 5 sets (6-3 1-6 7-5 2-6 6-1). Ruud admitted to telling himself that he hadn’t done all those hours of flying only to fall at the first pitfall. “It wasn’t pretty, but I really didn’t want to lose there, right away. I refused it! And that’s what probably allowed me to hold on in the 5th set…“

EXTRA CEDRE Madness in Melbourne where, in a hot atmosphere, Hady Habib (26 years old) qualified for the 32nd finals thanks to his success in 3 sets over Yunchaokete Bu (ATP 65). Never has a Lebanese won a “Major” match. The Houston native, ranked 219th ATP(!) and out of the qualifiers, therefore corrected this “oversight”, closing his thoughts with a finger to the temple, “Stanimal” style. We hear in our ears that her first name, Hady, means “who guides you to the right path”. The one towards the 32nd finals is already open. Can the road continue for him who will cross swords with Ugo Humbert, seeded 14?

SABALENKA’S MESSAGE There was no big doubt about Aryna Sabalenka’s state of form, but the double title holder should not approach her return to Melbourne lightly, her opponent Sloane Stephens being capable of anything. Well we have to recognize that the Belarusian has already sent a message to everyone by crushing the American 6-3 6-2. In the last 31 sets she played on the banks of the Yarra, the WTA no. 1 has only lost one. Did you say “boss”?

AN EYE ON ANDREEVA A word about Mirra Andreeva, 15th in the world who, despite being only 17 years old, has the good looks of a future Grand Slam winner and who completed her first round without batting an eyelid against Marie Bouzkova (WTA 42) who only saw of the game (6-3 6-3). We will have to seriously observe the Russian nugget, who has an open draw until the round of 16 and a potential showdown with… Sabalenka.

MARIA THE RESISTANT She is one of only three (!) players with a one-handed backhand present in the final draw of this 2025 Australian Open. And luckily, Tatjana Maria (WTA 89) will play at least one more match after her 7-6 6-4 success against Bernarda Pera (WTA 70). But above all, the German, aged 37, became on Sunday the oldest European player to win a match in Melbourne for 40 years!

3 SWISS RUNNING! Three of the four Swiss representatives present in Australia enter the fray this Monday: Dominic Stricker, Belinda Bencic and Viktorija Golubic. The Saint-Galloise match against Jelena Ostapenko will be followed from 3:00 a.m. on rtssport.ch

EXPECTED SINNER Apart from the three Swiss matches, we will have to follow, this Monday, the entry into the running of Jannik Sinner, a world no. 1 and defending champion who will have a not easy challenge against Nicolas Jarry, lead server and skilled volleyball player. Potential surprise in sight?

Arnaud Cerutti