- Tennis legend says he will be watching from home
- Has previously been a fixture at the finals
The Aussie tennis community and fans around the world will miss the presence of tennis legend Rod Laver at the 2025 Australian Open finals.
Laver, 86, is reportedly in good health but has decided to not undertake the trip Down Under from his home in California to see the men’s and women’s singles titles play out on the court that was named after him.
The only player in history to complete two calendar-year grand slam sweeps made the announcement through his social media channels,’ he wrote.
‘What an incredible year of tennis it’s been! The new season in Australia is upon us. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to compete in the first Grand Slam of the year.
‘Although I’m disappointed not to be able to attend the Australian Open and interact with the tennis fans in Melbourne, I will be watching the tournament from home and cheering on the players as they battle for glory.
‘I hope you can all come to Melbourne Park for a wonderful summer of tennis!’
It’s the first time in a decade that the eleven-time Slam champion will not attend the Open, but spirits at the ‘happy slam’ remain high as the tournament heads towards the finals.
Aussie Alex de Minaur has kept his dreams alive by reaching the last eight of Australian Open for the first time.
Looking to end a 49-year drought since Australia celebrated a local men’s winner, de Minaur lodged a convincing 6-0 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 victory over rising American Alex Michelsen on Monday night.
The victory sets up a blockbuster clash on Wednesday night with world No.1 Jannik Sinner.
‘It means the world. There’s nothing I want to do more than play well in Australia,’ the 25-year-old said.
‘I’m super happy to finally break through, finally get that milestone moment here at the Australian Open.
‘It felt like the slam that kept on slipping away where I felt like I had a little bit of a barrier at the fourth round, so it feels very good to finally break through another milestone in my career.
‘I’ve worked really hard on myself to give myself these opportunities and chances, and it hasn’t been overnight, it’s been a long process, but I’m glad that I’m showing this consistency, and it’s a good feeling to have four back-to-back quarter-finals at slams.’
As well as the chance to make his first semi-final at Melbourne Park in his ninth appearance, the win ticked off a number of career landmarks.
De Minaur is the first local into the last eight since Nick Kyrgios in 2015 and the first Australian to make four consecutive grand slam quarter-finals since Lleyton Hewitt surged all the way to the 2005 Australian Open title match.
But a giant challenge looms in the form of defending champion Sinner, who de Minaur hasn’t beaten in nine attempts and not even taken a set off since 2020.
An unwell Sinner overcame Denmark’s Holger Rune in four sets in his fourth round clash earlier in the day.
‘I’m looking forward to it, obviously,’ said Australia’s world No.8.
‘It’s going to be an incredibly tough match and I’m going to have to do something I haven’t done before. But why not start here?’
