Australian Open news: Star could retire mid-tournament as Alcaraz steals from Djokovic

In case you missed it, Rafael Nadal will make an appearance at the Australian Open this year.

The Spaniard retired in November 2024 and has not been seen at this Grand Slam since 2023.

But Nadal will be back this year for a 'Night of Legends' event on the day of the men's final - Sunday February 1.

A statement read: "Fans will have the rare opportunity to hear from these legends of the game, along with live music from DJs, interactive fan moments and the chance to win prizes, including tickets to the men's final and a once-in-a-lifetime photo session with Rafael Nadal.

"Ash Barty and Dylan Alcott will set the stage, sharing stories, memories and their love of Australian tennis, followed by Rafael Nadal who returns for his first appearance as an AO Legend, sharing stories about his AO journey and legacy."

Alexei Popyrin admitted he's devastated after losing in five sets to Alexandre Muller in the opening round of the Australian Open.

The Aussie, 26, also suffered first-round exits in Brisbane and Adelaide.

And after losing to Muller, he said: "For me it's really tough to take. I just think I do a lot. I work a lot. I think about my career a lot.

"And to have results like this and to have results that I've had the last couple of months, and obviously to start the year, it's not easy to take, even though I feel like I'm playing well and I feel like I'm doing everything that I want to do.

"Yeah, the results are just not coming, and I guess that's tennis sometimes. But when it keeps happening... maybe I have to look at myself and see and really look deep inside because it can't keep going on like this."

Novak Djokovic has joked that Carlos Alcaraz has stolen his serve motion.

The Serb laughed that the pair have come to an "agreement" and said: "As soon as I saw it, I sent him a message.

"I said, we have to speak about the copyrights. Then when I saw him here, I told him we have to talk about percentage of his winnings.

"Every ace I expect a tribute to me. Every ace that he makes here. Let's see if he's going to stick to the agreement."

An upset Felix Auger-Aliassime has explained his retirement after being unable to complete his first-round match against Nuno Borges.

The Canadian won the first set but lost the next two - 6-3, 4-6, 4-6 - due to a leg injury and was gutted to have to call it quits.

Auger-Aliassime said: "I want to be on the court competing with my opponent. I don't want to be just standing there, you know, like a punching bag.

"So there's no point. I don't have all the answers now. I'm trying to be very professional at everything I do, prepare well.

"I love this sport, and I love to play. So I try to do everything I can in my control to get ready.

"It hurts even more, because you know, if I wasn't really ready or I wasn't doing everything, then you have to be honest with yourself.

"But even with being honest with myself, I'm not totally finding the reasons why this is happening. It wasn't happening in the past, so I'll have to figure it out."

Casper Ruud has said he's ready to withdraw from the Australian Open as soon as his wife gives him the call.

The Norwegian's partner Maria Galligani is imminently expected to welcome the pair's first child - a baby girl.

The 12th seed said on court after beating Mattia Bellucci: "It's an interesting situation. I mean, I have to thank Maria for letting me go in the first place.

"I know she's back home resting, getting ready. Except for when I'm playing a match, the ring [phone] is on, all hours of the day, just in case.

"If she calls, if she goes into labour, I probably won't be here the next day, but that's the way it goes. There's more to life than just tennis, but I'm going to be here for as long as I can and as long as Maria lets me."

Iga Swiatek caused a stir by ripping her own skirt during her victory over Yuan Yue.

Early in the match, she was clearly uncomfortable and wasn't moving as fluidly as she would have liked.

In a desperate attempt to make things easier, Swiatek tried to adjust her skirt in an impromptu DIY session between points.

She managed to create a tear on the left side of the garment before standing up and testing her ability to move.

She appeared to be happy with the alteration and sat back down again, waiting for play to resume.

Francesca Jones has opened up on the injury that caused her to retire in tears from her first-round match at the Australian Open.

"I went for a slice, and the leg that I had injured, I slipped on it and fell, I felt something pull in my glute," explained Jones.

"I tried to see if it would settle but obviously aware of then multiple injuries in one leg. Very difficult to think about the match at that point.

"Obviously, I’m at a career-high [ranking]. I’m probably in the main draws of the Masters, and then you are thinking, should I continue? Do I fight because it’s a Slam?

"There’s money, there’s points on the line. Equally, with my history, it’s probably not the smartest thing to keep pushing."

"It’s great to be back once again on definitely my favourite court, and a court that has given me so much," said Djokovic following his victory on Rod Laver Arena.

"I’ve tried to give it back as much as I could in the last 20-plus years, and hopefully you guys enjoyed the tennis."

His milestone 100th win was then brought up, with Djokovic adding: "I mean, what can I say? I like the sound of it. Centurion is pretty nice.

"A nice feeling to be a centurion in these numbers. I always give my best whenever I'm on the court.

"Obviously, history-making is a great motivation, particularly in the last five, 10 years of my career.

"Once I got myself in the position that I could eventually create history, I was even more inspired to play the best tennis, and that’s what I’ve done."

Australian Open chiefs have already been forced to address the outrageous food and drink prices at Melbourne Park.

American fast food chain Shake Shack is charging £25.67 for its most expensive burger, fries and shake combination.

Those wanting to save money by buying a Shack Burger, crinkle cut fries and a bottle of water would spend £17.28.

The burgers on offer range from £9.44 to £12.49, while milkshakes cost between £6.44 and £6.94.

A spokesperson for the Australian Open said: "We work closely with our food and beverage partners to keep prices at the AO as close to what fans would find in their permanent restaurants and stores as possible.

"As a temporary pop-up, operating Shake Shack in Australia involves additional costs that do not apply to permanent restaurants.

"This includes higher local costs of goods and labour and the construction of a fully functioning temporary kitchen to meet Australian standards."

Alex De Minaur has promised that he will start a family with Katie Boulter in the not-too-distant future.

The pair have danced around the topic of having children for a long time and the Aussie star is warming to the idea.

He said: "I'm going to turn 27 next month, which is crazy to think about, and my life is going to keep on evolving.

"At some point, there is going to be a family and kids."

Eighth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime was forced to retire at the beginning of his fourth set against Nuno Borges in the first round.

After the Canadian called the physio, he struggled to move as he attempted to play on before he had to call time on his campaign prematurely.

He later revealed he suffered from cramp, explaining: “I'm okay, but I just started cramping at the start of the third set. Yeah, it became very difficult to be competitive at this level. I tried for a set, but yeah, wasn't possible today.

“Obviously it hurts even more, because you know, if I was self-aware and I was, like, well, I wasn't really ready or I wasn't doing everything, then you have to be honest with yourself.

"But even with being honest with myself, I'm not totally finding the reasons why this is happening. It wasn't happening in the past, so I'll have to figure it out.”

Andrey Rublev agreed that his on-court interviewer "don't have much connection" after an awkward few questions.

Rublev defeated Matteo Arnaldi 6-4 6-2 6-3 in a dominant display to open his Australian Open account, but the line of questioning after did not go as smoothly.

When asked how much he knows about his second-round opponent, Jamie Faria, Rublev replied: "I don’t know who I’m playing because I didn’t check the draw. You told me the name and I still don’t know the guy.”

He then admitted he "didn't know what to say" when asked what Marat Safin has brought to his team.

And after the interview admitted that they were not on the same wavelength, Rublev responded: "Yeah, it's true we don't have much connection."

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