The tennis season is always one that shoots out of the blocks quickly. Each year, barely past its first month, the young tennis year has already witnessed its first major in the form of the Australian Open. Therefore, with only three weeks before a Grand Slam, the first cluster of tournaments are always ferociously competed. Players are painfully aware that they have no time to gently ease themselves into the season. The Australian hard-court season may be short, but it is never without a long list of definitive moments. With 2014 proving somewhat of a watershed moment for numerous players, the 2015 season looks poised to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. So, to whet your appetite, here is a look at a few of the most crucial events within the first month of the tennis season.
Sydney
This dual event has been the premier warm-up tournament of the Australian Open for decades. Moreover, this tournament takes place in one of the most beautiful, varied and vibrant cities in the world. Sydney has everything from a world-famous opera house to a huge, internationally respected casino. For entertainment away from the court at other events on the tennis calendar, you may have to be content with playing mobile games in your hotel room with the likes of Net Ent casinos. But in Sydney there’s no need for compromise (not that there’s anything wrong with Net Ent casino games, a list of which you can find online here: PureNetEnt.com slot games!) In fact, the Star Casino, the second-largest gambling establishment in Australia, has just undergone a $475 million redevelopment, and is definitely worth a visit during your trip to the city.
The Australian summer is famous for its oppressive heat, which means that even the fittest of players are known to have resorted to low-percentages plays, and dangerous shot-selection, to minimize their time on court. Fans will surely remember last year’s titanic semi-final between Sergiy Stakhovsky and home favourite Bernard Tomic. Stretching over three competitive sets, this scorching contest featured both players desperately attacking the net as they wilted under the Australian sun. This year the event will be headlined by temperamental Italian Fabio Fognini and rising star David Goffin.
Brisbane
This small tournament has grown in both prize money and quality of competitors in recent years. Indeed, in 2015, Brisbane’s prize money of $100,000,000 has eclipsed the offering by Sydney to make the tournament the most lucrative warm-up on the calendar. To match this top prize, organisers have secured top player and living legend Roger Federer to headline the event for the second successive year. It seems that Federer, still wounded over his surprise loss to dogged Lleyton Hewitt last year, is determined to finally add Brisbane to his impressive haul of titles. Brisbane’s intimate arena means that the action often feels equally personal and intense, whilst its positioning in the first week of the season means that it often features a surprise or two. Besides Federer, 2015’s tournament features a duo of rising stars in the form of US Open finalist Kei Nishikori and Wimbledon semi-finalist Milos Raonic.
Australian Open
The first Grand Slam of the year was once shunned by tennis’ elite but is now a firm favourite amongst players. However, the coming event will be tinged with sadness as defending champion and fan favourite Li Na will be unable to defend her title due to her shock retirement last year. But, Na’s absence aside, this laid back-yet-atmospheric tournament should live up to its reputation as the most unpredictable of tennis’ majors. Last year saw five-time champion Serena Williams fall to erratic Ana Ivanovic while former world number one Rafael Nadal suffered numerous mental lapses, and a serve back injury, in his tense loss to Stan Wawrinka. In 2015, the event will feature a returning Nadal, fading Federer, uneven Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray all attempting to re-establish the crumbling dominance of the Big Four. Moreover, WTA fans will be questioning if this will be Venus Williams’ final appearance in Melbourne, whether Maria Sharapova can once again become a threat outside the clay-court season and if Victoria Azarenka will regain the form that took her to the top of the rankings.
