1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from Newstalk SEDB. 3 00:00:12,707 --> 00:00:16,147 Speaker 2: Fight Battling cramp on a sweltering day seven at the 4 00:00:16,147 --> 00:00:19,027 Speaker 2: Australian Tennis Open, rainning back to back men's champion Annick 5 00:00:19,107 --> 00:00:22,347 Speaker 2: Center has battled through to the fourth round in Melbourne, 6 00:00:22,387 --> 00:00:26,027 Speaker 2: beating gutsy American Elliott Spitserian four sets. 7 00:00:28,187 --> 00:00:37,187 Speaker 3: Yams Center seven six three six six chaps. 8 00:00:37,787 --> 00:00:46,107 Speaker 2: There were spots was puddled senates the crowds of the 9 00:00:46,187 --> 00:00:50,467 Speaker 2: defending champion. Ten time men's champion Novak Djokovic also through 10 00:00:50,547 --> 00:00:52,587 Speaker 2: to the fourth round after a straight sets won. He'll 11 00:00:52,627 --> 00:00:56,467 Speaker 2: face ASB Classic winner Yuck of Menshik next. Also advancing 12 00:00:56,467 --> 00:00:58,947 Speaker 2: in the men's on night seven, twelfth seed cast Bud 13 00:00:59,187 --> 00:01:02,707 Speaker 2: ninth seed Taylor Fritz. He ended the Australian Open career 14 00:01:02,907 --> 00:01:05,987 Speaker 2: of twenty fourteen champion Stanford Rinka in four sets, a 15 00:01:06,027 --> 00:01:09,347 Speaker 2: good for the seat of American women defending champion madisone Keys. 16 00:01:09,427 --> 00:01:13,467 Speaker 2: Also Amanda and A Samova and Jessica Pagola all through. 17 00:01:14,147 --> 00:01:18,347 Speaker 2: Second seed IGIs Fiontech and fifth seed Elena Rabekeina went 18 00:01:18,427 --> 00:01:21,987 Speaker 2: through as well, but two time champion Naomi Osaka withdrew 19 00:01:22,227 --> 00:01:26,707 Speaker 2: from her round three match, citing an abdominal injury linked 20 00:01:26,787 --> 00:01:30,027 Speaker 2: to body changes from her pregnancy. Among those on court 21 00:01:30,067 --> 00:01:32,747 Speaker 2: in the day session today, the two top seeds Arena 22 00:01:32,827 --> 00:01:36,027 Speaker 2: Sablenka in her fourth round match, followed by Carlos el 23 00:01:36,067 --> 00:01:41,427 Speaker 2: Kiraz in his fourth round encounter. Veteran tennis journalist Dave 24 00:01:41,467 --> 00:01:45,587 Speaker 2: Worsley is attending his twenty seventh Australian Open and his 25 00:01:45,787 --> 00:01:48,787 Speaker 2: fiftieth Grand Slam overall. Do you get a special seat 26 00:01:49,107 --> 00:01:50,187 Speaker 2: when you bring up fifty? 27 00:01:51,867 --> 00:01:53,907 Speaker 3: No, Toy, don't. There's a lot of people who have 28 00:01:53,987 --> 00:01:55,867 Speaker 3: done a lot more than me, but I guess we're 29 00:01:55,907 --> 00:01:59,107 Speaker 3: in New Zealander. It's a decent amount and does make 30 00:01:59,107 --> 00:02:00,707 Speaker 3: me feel a little bit old when I think about 31 00:02:01,227 --> 00:02:04,107 Speaker 3: the first Ossie Open, for instance, and there were still 32 00:02:04,147 --> 00:02:05,347 Speaker 3: fat machines being used. 33 00:02:06,027 --> 00:02:08,507 Speaker 2: Yes, you can fax your report back to us. Well, 34 00:02:08,547 --> 00:02:10,307 Speaker 2: it's good to have you on with us, Dave. Just 35 00:02:10,347 --> 00:02:12,867 Speaker 2: before we get to the tenis how hot was it 36 00:02:13,027 --> 00:02:14,107 Speaker 2: in Melbourne yesterday? 37 00:02:15,907 --> 00:02:18,027 Speaker 3: It wasn't the hardest that I can recall. I mean, 38 00:02:18,427 --> 00:02:21,747 Speaker 3: we've actually had a few years of not too much heat. Yes, 39 00:02:21,867 --> 00:02:24,467 Speaker 3: they got to around about forty or cost enough. It's 40 00:02:24,467 --> 00:02:27,147 Speaker 3: actually Tuesday that we're looking forward to. I guess forward 41 00:02:27,227 --> 00:02:30,667 Speaker 3: to it forty two degrees and that one will be 42 00:02:30,987 --> 00:02:32,667 Speaker 3: a tough one. I mean in the past, there has 43 00:02:32,787 --> 00:02:34,907 Speaker 3: been a couple of years that I recall where there 44 00:02:34,987 --> 00:02:38,467 Speaker 3: was bush fires around the outskirts of Melbourne and Dandenongs, 45 00:02:38,507 --> 00:02:40,467 Speaker 3: and then you also had the heat and then all 46 00:02:40,547 --> 00:02:43,427 Speaker 3: the flies as well. Anyone who's been to Melbourne when 47 00:02:43,467 --> 00:02:45,947 Speaker 3: it's really hot, you get the flies coming in. And 48 00:02:46,307 --> 00:02:48,347 Speaker 3: no they're not people waving at you. There are people 49 00:02:48,627 --> 00:02:50,427 Speaker 3: trying to get rid of the flies from around their face. 50 00:02:50,507 --> 00:02:54,907 Speaker 3: It's not really that appealing. The tennis players manus who survive, 51 00:02:54,987 --> 00:02:57,507 Speaker 3: including Aaron Ratlers and New Zealander. She had to wait 52 00:02:57,587 --> 00:02:59,907 Speaker 3: six hours and I've just said, oh, there we go. 53 00:02:59,987 --> 00:03:01,467 Speaker 3: I've just seen the temperature come up on one of 54 00:03:01,507 --> 00:03:04,027 Speaker 3: the big screen ten that's is twenty point four degrees. 55 00:03:04,107 --> 00:03:06,307 Speaker 3: It's remarkable how it drops by about twenty degrees. 56 00:03:06,547 --> 00:03:09,547 Speaker 2: Indeed, ye're much more comfortable today. How much of a 57 00:03:09,627 --> 00:03:14,507 Speaker 2: battle did Janick Center find himself in against Elliott Spazzira yesterday? 58 00:03:15,467 --> 00:03:17,547 Speaker 3: Well, his legs look what you and I after playing 59 00:03:17,587 --> 00:03:22,907 Speaker 3: five minutes of over forties football Jelly. Basically he was 60 00:03:22,987 --> 00:03:25,347 Speaker 3: in a massive battle there. We do know that he 61 00:03:25,427 --> 00:03:31,227 Speaker 3: struggles with the heat more so than his main rival Alcarez. Yeah, 62 00:03:31,427 --> 00:03:34,667 Speaker 3: yesterday though he was being told by his coach Darren Cahill, 63 00:03:34,747 --> 00:03:37,867 Speaker 3: the ex Australian players just survived the set and then 64 00:03:37,907 --> 00:03:39,547 Speaker 3: you can get a break and we'll call for a 65 00:03:39,627 --> 00:03:41,867 Speaker 3: break and you'll be able to continue on a lot 66 00:03:41,947 --> 00:03:45,147 Speaker 3: better to survive. He did survive in the end. Now, 67 00:03:45,187 --> 00:03:47,467 Speaker 3: anybody who says that the rules were in his favor, 68 00:03:47,667 --> 00:03:49,667 Speaker 3: or that he asked for the rules to be changed 69 00:03:49,747 --> 00:03:54,867 Speaker 3: or anything like that, that's incorrect. The rules did favor him, however, 70 00:03:55,147 --> 00:03:57,627 Speaker 3: they weren't made in his favor. Two were made a 71 00:03:57,667 --> 00:04:01,627 Speaker 3: couple of years back. They changed the actual way that 72 00:04:01,747 --> 00:04:04,107 Speaker 3: the heat will came about. And it's all very complicated 73 00:04:04,147 --> 00:04:07,307 Speaker 3: and it really makes the duck with Lewis look easy. 74 00:04:08,467 --> 00:04:09,907 Speaker 3: You know. It's just one of those things that came 75 00:04:09,987 --> 00:04:12,347 Speaker 3: at a brilliant time for him. He knows to come 76 00:04:12,427 --> 00:04:15,187 Speaker 3: back from one tree down. And I guess you could 77 00:04:15,187 --> 00:04:17,987 Speaker 3: say that his opponent in his first Grand Slam Man 78 00:04:18,107 --> 00:04:21,107 Speaker 3: draw perhaps should have rammed at home and actually really 79 00:04:21,587 --> 00:04:23,827 Speaker 3: you know, taken advantage of it. Yes, he was upset 80 00:04:23,907 --> 00:04:26,707 Speaker 3: that the ruling did appear to go in Senna's favor, 81 00:04:27,147 --> 00:04:30,747 Speaker 3: it did physically favor him, But yeah, Senner came through 82 00:04:30,787 --> 00:04:33,067 Speaker 3: and showed that he is a champion, whether people like 83 00:04:33,147 --> 00:04:35,307 Speaker 3: him or not, and there's a few that don't. He's 84 00:04:35,587 --> 00:04:36,707 Speaker 3: through to the fourth round. 85 00:04:37,147 --> 00:04:40,747 Speaker 2: Okay, well, he'll face the twenty second seeded Italian Luciano 86 00:04:41,027 --> 00:04:43,707 Speaker 2: da did he Let's go to top seed carls Alcas. 87 00:04:43,747 --> 00:04:47,467 Speaker 2: He's on court this afternoon against nineteen seed Tommy Paul. 88 00:04:48,107 --> 00:04:51,067 Speaker 2: Might he be in for a battle or no? Not really? 89 00:04:52,067 --> 00:04:53,907 Speaker 3: Well, Tommy Paul was pretty decent, that's for sure. I 90 00:04:53,947 --> 00:04:57,627 Speaker 3: mean it was a semi finals at Roland garroslayer last year. 91 00:04:57,707 --> 00:05:00,947 Speaker 3: Siddenly did well. Beer, he's a good, solid player who 92 00:05:01,027 --> 00:05:03,747 Speaker 3: was going to make Alchohoz work. It's going to be 93 00:05:03,787 --> 00:05:05,947 Speaker 3: a lot cooler. It's on the set of court. Al 94 00:05:05,987 --> 00:05:09,227 Speaker 3: Khoroz has all the flair. He can play some brilliant shots. 95 00:05:09,427 --> 00:05:12,787 Speaker 3: I guess he's the opposite of Sir sim will play 96 00:05:13,067 --> 00:05:18,347 Speaker 3: brilliant regulation fantastic shot, whereas Alcarez will do the shots 97 00:05:18,387 --> 00:05:21,067 Speaker 3: that you'd go wow, I'll never be able to do that. Ever. 98 00:05:21,427 --> 00:05:22,907 Speaker 3: You know, it's hard to hit that shot. He's got 99 00:05:22,947 --> 00:05:25,747 Speaker 3: the flare in his favorite al Karez, and so that's 100 00:05:25,787 --> 00:05:28,147 Speaker 3: where he can just bring up something a bit different. However, 101 00:05:28,867 --> 00:05:32,027 Speaker 3: in that same sense, having the ability to hit any 102 00:05:32,107 --> 00:05:34,667 Speaker 3: shot is also a hindrance at times, and that's where 103 00:05:34,707 --> 00:05:37,787 Speaker 3: Tommy Porman can actually drag him around the court. You're 104 00:05:37,787 --> 00:05:39,667 Speaker 3: going to see a lot of long rallies today and 105 00:05:40,027 --> 00:05:42,827 Speaker 3: Tommy Paul will keep him out there. I still believe 106 00:05:42,867 --> 00:05:45,027 Speaker 3: that Olparaz will make it through. Just one thing though. 107 00:05:45,107 --> 00:05:47,107 Speaker 3: By me, Arcreaz has never made it past the quarter 108 00:05:47,187 --> 00:05:49,787 Speaker 3: finals at the Gussie Open, which is remarkable in itself. 109 00:05:49,987 --> 00:05:53,387 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's a it's an astonishing stand. I get the 110 00:05:53,427 --> 00:05:56,107 Speaker 2: feeling that he'll certainly be targeting the last eight and 111 00:05:56,267 --> 00:05:59,107 Speaker 2: beyond this time around. If he makes it through, he'll 112 00:05:59,147 --> 00:06:02,987 Speaker 2: face the winner of BIGAUSSI hope succeed alex d Manure 113 00:06:03,107 --> 00:06:06,987 Speaker 2: and ten seed Alexander Bublick. That's on Rod lay tonight. 114 00:06:08,187 --> 00:06:10,787 Speaker 2: Would demon will be a firm favorite the crowd behind him, 115 00:06:10,827 --> 00:06:14,707 Speaker 2: he's seated high. Would he be a firm enough favorite, Demona, Yeah, 116 00:06:14,907 --> 00:06:15,507 Speaker 2: he should. 117 00:06:15,307 --> 00:06:16,907 Speaker 3: Be for this one. However, we've got to remember the 118 00:06:16,987 --> 00:06:21,307 Speaker 3: Bubblic's actually I guess restrained himself from being an absolute eddiot. 119 00:06:21,347 --> 00:06:24,507 Speaker 3: At times, he has said, I don't need you know, 120 00:06:24,787 --> 00:06:28,227 Speaker 3: I don't go drinking anymore, and I now decided to 121 00:06:28,227 --> 00:06:31,587 Speaker 3: spend time with my family, stopped eating takeaways every single night. 122 00:06:32,547 --> 00:06:35,227 Speaker 3: He's the sort of player who was doing well with 123 00:06:35,347 --> 00:06:38,107 Speaker 3: what he had and enjoying life a little bit too much. 124 00:06:38,507 --> 00:06:41,147 Speaker 3: Now he's quite I'm going to knuckle down and I'm 125 00:06:41,187 --> 00:06:43,667 Speaker 3: going to get to the top ten books. I achieved that. Okay, 126 00:06:43,747 --> 00:06:46,987 Speaker 3: now let's knock off some bigger players and bigger names 127 00:06:47,027 --> 00:06:49,027 Speaker 3: and bigger seeds. So I think Demon's going to have 128 00:06:49,067 --> 00:06:51,707 Speaker 3: a real battle tonight against the player who can hit 129 00:06:51,867 --> 00:06:54,667 Speaker 3: any shot any time. Everybody just thinks that Demon's just 130 00:06:54,747 --> 00:06:58,027 Speaker 3: a player who retrieved. Well he's not. He's actually better 131 00:06:58,067 --> 00:06:59,707 Speaker 3: than that. He can hit some very good winners when 132 00:06:59,747 --> 00:07:02,547 Speaker 3: he wants to. That's sure. He's got a lot of power. 133 00:07:03,307 --> 00:07:05,187 Speaker 3: There's a lot of attention on him. Of course, with 134 00:07:05,347 --> 00:07:07,747 Speaker 3: Kadie Bolter. You know they're doing, you know, all the 135 00:07:07,867 --> 00:07:10,587 Speaker 3: questions on court about you know, are you organized in 136 00:07:10,667 --> 00:07:12,427 Speaker 3: the wedding, blah blah blah and all that sort of thing. 137 00:07:13,347 --> 00:07:16,427 Speaker 3: Hopefully he gets to focus on playing tennis. 138 00:07:16,187 --> 00:07:19,387 Speaker 2: As well, Novek Djokovic. Jay, you've seen a bit of him, Dave, 139 00:07:19,427 --> 00:07:21,467 Speaker 2: You've probably seen more of him live than any other 140 00:07:21,547 --> 00:07:24,667 Speaker 2: New Zealander. I would say menshiks his opponent in the 141 00:07:24,707 --> 00:07:27,947 Speaker 2: fourth round. He was impressive in winning the ISSB Classic. 142 00:07:28,027 --> 00:07:29,187 Speaker 2: What do you predict for this one? 143 00:07:30,227 --> 00:07:33,547 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's an interesting one. That's your upset, that's your 144 00:07:33,627 --> 00:07:37,067 Speaker 3: potential upset. Let's say potential upset, because I believe Mensic 145 00:07:37,147 --> 00:07:40,267 Speaker 3: sucks with the drawer quite nicely. He's played had a 146 00:07:40,267 --> 00:07:42,627 Speaker 3: couple of tough matches, but I also believe that with 147 00:07:42,787 --> 00:07:47,347 Speaker 3: his serves and his power, he is Yeah, he's there 148 00:07:47,427 --> 00:07:49,627 Speaker 3: to actually knock off Jakovic. I mean, Dkokovic is so 149 00:07:49,707 --> 00:07:52,307 Speaker 3: hard to beat because you know, he's always able to 150 00:07:52,347 --> 00:07:55,347 Speaker 3: make it through to what the quarters, the semis. In 151 00:07:55,427 --> 00:07:57,427 Speaker 3: the last couple of years, when we think he's faving, 152 00:07:57,707 --> 00:08:00,427 Speaker 3: he's managed to make it through and focus. He hasn't 153 00:08:00,467 --> 00:08:02,547 Speaker 3: done a lot of promos or a lot of promotions 154 00:08:02,587 --> 00:08:04,547 Speaker 3: around the tournament, even though he's won at ten times. 155 00:08:04,987 --> 00:08:08,107 Speaker 3: He stayed very focused. I'm just trying to stay healthy. 156 00:08:09,067 --> 00:08:12,067 Speaker 3: He had a bit of a tough one yesterday where 157 00:08:12,147 --> 00:08:14,147 Speaker 3: he almost hid the baldhead with the ball as well. 158 00:08:14,387 --> 00:08:17,427 Speaker 3: Not smart and you know that already. Don't hit the 159 00:08:17,507 --> 00:08:19,667 Speaker 3: ball in anga of anybody, because the last time you 160 00:08:19,747 --> 00:08:21,987 Speaker 3: did that, you've missed it on with the Grand Slam 161 00:08:22,067 --> 00:08:25,787 Speaker 3: and got kicked out of the US. Oh you know what, 162 00:08:25,947 --> 00:08:27,867 Speaker 3: it probably wasn't going to get kicked out of this one. 163 00:08:28,427 --> 00:08:31,307 Speaker 3: They came very close to heaving a ballhead. So he's 164 00:08:31,387 --> 00:08:34,227 Speaker 3: just sit on court. I've got to actually relax and 165 00:08:34,387 --> 00:08:38,427 Speaker 3: just play. I think Menshiko's got yeah, go out there 166 00:08:38,427 --> 00:08:40,427 Speaker 3: and start blasting, and that's what he's got to worry about. 167 00:08:41,427 --> 00:08:43,987 Speaker 2: As I'm looking at the TV screen now, they're about 168 00:08:44,067 --> 00:08:45,747 Speaker 2: to make their way into the court for the first 169 00:08:45,827 --> 00:08:48,747 Speaker 2: game on Rod Lavor this afternoon, Arena and Sabolenka the 170 00:08:49,147 --> 00:08:53,427 Speaker 2: women's top seed. Are we on track for Sabolenka against 171 00:08:53,467 --> 00:08:55,347 Speaker 2: Frian Tech the top two seeds? Or is it too 172 00:08:55,427 --> 00:08:57,867 Speaker 2: early to make that a confident prediction. 173 00:08:58,947 --> 00:09:01,867 Speaker 3: I think that's too early. I also think that you've 174 00:09:01,907 --> 00:09:04,347 Speaker 3: got asm over in there and Cocate Boss that we 175 00:09:04,707 --> 00:09:07,667 Speaker 3: cannot figure about the recons ACTI and there you've got 176 00:09:07,747 --> 00:09:11,187 Speaker 3: Chuck Coca God, you've got hands over Beguela. You've also 177 00:09:11,307 --> 00:09:13,507 Speaker 3: got Key. So the Americans doing very well. In fact, 178 00:09:13,587 --> 00:09:17,547 Speaker 3: Keys and Paula's way that'll be tomorrow and Knights and 179 00:09:17,787 --> 00:09:20,987 Speaker 3: some Moova could even go through and beat those two players. Also, 180 00:09:21,147 --> 00:09:23,867 Speaker 3: IGOs Fiontek has never made it past the Simmis here. 181 00:09:24,387 --> 00:09:27,227 Speaker 3: So also one other player watch out for is on 182 00:09:27,387 --> 00:09:29,827 Speaker 3: the right back in the right back and oh my goodness, 183 00:09:29,827 --> 00:09:33,547 Speaker 3: I'm gonna get it wrong right there you go. She 184 00:09:33,667 --> 00:09:35,547 Speaker 3: churned the name a few times. How you actually pronounced it. 185 00:09:36,227 --> 00:09:38,827 Speaker 3: But she's been a runner up here, was only two 186 00:09:38,867 --> 00:09:41,507 Speaker 3: points away from winning a few years back. So watch 187 00:09:41,547 --> 00:09:42,347 Speaker 3: out for her as well. 188 00:09:43,067 --> 00:09:46,427 Speaker 2: Okay, we Aaron Ratliffe, you mentioned her earlier, Dave, she 189 00:09:46,587 --> 00:09:50,867 Speaker 2: and her doubles partner Asia Muhammad through to the third round. 190 00:09:51,467 --> 00:09:52,987 Speaker 2: Have you seen much of her in the first week 191 00:09:53,027 --> 00:09:55,747 Speaker 2: and what do you predict in week two for Aaron Rautliffe. 192 00:09:56,667 --> 00:09:59,507 Speaker 3: Well, it took two and a half hours yesterday it 193 00:09:59,707 --> 00:10:03,427 Speaker 3: was and heat, albeit that it was the cooler hit. Yeah, 194 00:10:03,427 --> 00:10:05,707 Speaker 3: two in the third round, that's the first grand stand together. 195 00:10:06,347 --> 00:10:08,867 Speaker 3: We've got every matches for good. I guess they've got 196 00:10:08,907 --> 00:10:11,507 Speaker 3: a difficult one in the third round, but yeah, they've 197 00:10:11,507 --> 00:10:14,987 Speaker 3: certainly got a good run to the quarterfinals. Hopefully they 198 00:10:15,027 --> 00:10:17,347 Speaker 3: can win their next match, that'll be tomorrow. She's staying 199 00:10:17,387 --> 00:10:21,427 Speaker 3: mixed doubles today. Yeah, it's been a long tournament for 200 00:10:21,547 --> 00:10:23,427 Speaker 3: her to get to the third route. They seems have 201 00:10:23,467 --> 00:10:27,227 Speaker 3: been delayed matches all over the place for her. So yeah, 202 00:10:27,387 --> 00:10:29,227 Speaker 3: I think if she can make it to the quarterfinals, 203 00:10:29,227 --> 00:10:32,227 Speaker 3: she'd be very happy. As their first slam together her 204 00:10:32,307 --> 00:10:35,467 Speaker 3: in Asia. They're very good friends. They both are very 205 00:10:35,547 --> 00:10:38,187 Speaker 3: tall end routelet around about six two six three and 206 00:10:38,227 --> 00:10:40,387 Speaker 3: you've got to Jim Hammond is at least six foot 207 00:10:40,427 --> 00:10:44,267 Speaker 3: tall or whatever you want to say in cinameters meters. Yeah, 208 00:10:44,347 --> 00:10:46,867 Speaker 3: so they're a tall pier. And as Aaron Rutler said 209 00:10:46,907 --> 00:10:50,707 Speaker 3: to me, she said, we're playing better together the more 210 00:10:50,747 --> 00:10:52,947 Speaker 3: matches we play, which is of course obvious that they're 211 00:10:53,067 --> 00:10:55,907 Speaker 3: to do that. Yes, I think she's got a good run. 212 00:10:56,547 --> 00:11:00,267 Speaker 3: Her ranking has dropped just a little, but it's still 213 00:11:00,307 --> 00:11:00,707 Speaker 3: top ten. 214 00:11:01,627 --> 00:11:03,747 Speaker 2: Just before you go, as I say, you've been to 215 00:11:04,267 --> 00:11:07,387 Speaker 2: so many of these Australia opens. If we just focus 216 00:11:07,467 --> 00:11:10,627 Speaker 2: on the twenty seven number twenty seven, apart from the 217 00:11:10,667 --> 00:11:14,467 Speaker 2: fact that you know you transmit your journalism in a 218 00:11:14,507 --> 00:11:16,627 Speaker 2: different way than you're used to twenty seven years ago, 219 00:11:16,867 --> 00:11:18,667 Speaker 2: what are the other big changes as far as the 220 00:11:18,747 --> 00:11:22,627 Speaker 2: Australian Open is concerned over the last nearly three decades. 221 00:11:23,307 --> 00:11:27,267 Speaker 3: Well thevendu itself and that the tournament has become more prestigious. 222 00:11:28,027 --> 00:11:29,587 Speaker 3: The amount of people that come through. Was the first 223 00:11:29,627 --> 00:11:32,587 Speaker 3: tournament to get a million people through on the regulation time. 224 00:11:32,667 --> 00:11:35,867 Speaker 3: Now they've extended in the mixtra day. No doubt they'll 225 00:11:35,907 --> 00:11:38,427 Speaker 3: extend it even more. In the past for the players benefit, 226 00:11:38,507 --> 00:11:40,867 Speaker 3: of course, that's not at all. It's mainly because they 227 00:11:40,907 --> 00:11:43,427 Speaker 3: can get a heap more money, keep more people coming through. 228 00:11:44,307 --> 00:11:48,987 Speaker 3: It's become prestigious. It was almost quite out of the 229 00:11:49,067 --> 00:11:50,867 Speaker 3: Grand Slams in the past that it was all that 230 00:11:50,907 --> 00:11:54,227 Speaker 3: little one down down there, and even in the eighties 231 00:11:54,747 --> 00:11:57,747 Speaker 3: players didn't really come to it. But now it's really 232 00:11:58,067 --> 00:12:00,467 Speaker 3: part of the Slam and the players get so many perks. 233 00:12:00,507 --> 00:12:03,787 Speaker 3: But it's just got bigger and better in that sense. 234 00:12:04,827 --> 00:12:10,307 Speaker 3: The accessibility to the players for media is probably slightly less, 235 00:12:10,347 --> 00:12:12,987 Speaker 3: but that's what happens when you get to a bigger event. 236 00:12:13,827 --> 00:12:16,827 Speaker 3: The great thing about this tournament is that it's basically 237 00:12:17,107 --> 00:12:19,627 Speaker 3: in the middle of town. Anybody who's been to Melbourne 238 00:12:19,667 --> 00:12:21,827 Speaker 3: can see the mcg as well. That's just across the 239 00:12:21,867 --> 00:12:25,547 Speaker 3: Low Aid perhaps from the tennis. I've got the football 240 00:12:25,547 --> 00:12:29,107 Speaker 3: stadium just across the road as well. Everything is five 241 00:12:29,187 --> 00:12:33,107 Speaker 3: minutes walk from Federation Square, and I think anybody who's 242 00:12:33,507 --> 00:12:36,227 Speaker 3: been here for any sporting event around this sort of 243 00:12:36,907 --> 00:12:41,547 Speaker 3: this area will understand that having sporting venues close to 244 00:12:41,787 --> 00:12:45,707 Speaker 3: the city center is such a fantastic idea. Compare it 245 00:12:45,787 --> 00:12:48,387 Speaker 3: to the other slams, compared to any other sporting city 246 00:12:48,707 --> 00:12:51,187 Speaker 3: here is just great. I just walked for a third 247 00:12:51,227 --> 00:12:54,067 Speaker 3: square to five minutes to get here. Fantastic. I love that. 248 00:12:54,227 --> 00:12:56,507 Speaker 3: And that's what makes the thing really good, because even 249 00:12:56,547 --> 00:12:58,707 Speaker 3: if you finish at stupid o'clock in the morning, it 250 00:12:58,787 --> 00:13:00,747 Speaker 3: doesn't take that long to get back to the hotel 251 00:13:00,947 --> 00:13:01,787 Speaker 3: or wherever you're staying. 252 00:13:02,427 --> 00:13:04,707 Speaker 2: Well, we've got you done in time for the opening 253 00:13:04,787 --> 00:13:07,107 Speaker 2: match on Rod Lavor this afternoon, or in a Sabalinka 254 00:13:07,187 --> 00:13:09,787 Speaker 2: about to go up against Victoria and book all the 255 00:13:09,867 --> 00:13:12,547 Speaker 2: Canadian player that'd never played before about to do so. Dave, 256 00:13:12,587 --> 00:13:14,667 Speaker 2: thanks for your rap mate. We have to catch up 257 00:13:14,707 --> 00:13:15,667 Speaker 2: with you again next weekend. 258 00:13:16,547 --> 00:13:17,867 Speaker 3: No worries, mate, Thanks tiny. 259 00:13:17,707 --> 00:13:21,307 Speaker 2: Thanks Dave, Dave Worsley. They're out of Melbourne. The Australian Opens, 260 00:13:21,427 --> 00:13:26,547 Speaker 2: twenty seventh Australian Open and fiftieth Major All up terrific stuff. 261 00:13:27,347 --> 00:13:30,547 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 262 00:13:30,627 --> 00:13:33,947 Speaker 1: to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, or follow 263 00:13:33,987 --> 00:13:35,547 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio