1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from News Talks EDB. 3 00:00:12,667 --> 00:00:16,027 Speaker 2: But to the tennis Madison Keys is a Grand Slam 4 00:00:16,107 --> 00:00:19,947 Speaker 2: tennis champion at the forty sixth attempt. 5 00:00:21,427 --> 00:00:31,507 Speaker 3: Madison Keys, you're a Grand Slam champion. What incredible tennis 6 00:00:31,627 --> 00:00:32,547 Speaker 3: and what a match? 7 00:00:34,147 --> 00:00:36,947 Speaker 2: What a match? Ind The twenty nine year old American 8 00:00:37,107 --> 00:00:41,307 Speaker 2: Madison Keys has upset top seed and double defending champion 9 00:00:41,467 --> 00:00:45,267 Speaker 2: Arena Sablenka sixty three two six, seven to five in 10 00:00:45,347 --> 00:00:48,627 Speaker 2: the final. Craig Gabriel joins us from Melbourne. What a 11 00:00:48,667 --> 00:00:51,507 Speaker 2: few days it's been for Madison Keys, Craig. She beat 12 00:00:51,547 --> 00:00:55,387 Speaker 2: Egish Fiontech in the semifinal, the world number two, now 13 00:00:55,427 --> 00:00:58,987 Speaker 2: Arena Sablenka in the final, the world number one. How 14 00:00:59,027 --> 00:00:59,827 Speaker 2: has she done it? 15 00:01:03,187 --> 00:01:05,147 Speaker 3: Tonal Vision? This was her time. 16 00:01:05,987 --> 00:01:11,187 Speaker 4: The number of players past and present that have saluted 17 00:01:11,227 --> 00:01:16,227 Speaker 4: her on social media is pretty phenomenal. And in twenty seventeen, 18 00:01:16,387 --> 00:01:18,507 Speaker 4: she reached the final of the US Open and lost 19 00:01:18,507 --> 00:01:21,227 Speaker 4: to Sloane Stevens, who was one of her really good friends. 20 00:01:21,747 --> 00:01:26,067 Speaker 4: And Sloan has tweeted it's never been a case of if, 21 00:01:26,547 --> 00:01:29,827 Speaker 4: but it always has been a case of when and 22 00:01:30,347 --> 00:01:34,907 Speaker 4: absolutely excited for her, and it's one of the most 23 00:01:34,987 --> 00:01:38,227 Speaker 4: popular victories in the women's locker room. There's no two 24 00:01:38,267 --> 00:01:43,067 Speaker 4: ways about it. The smile on her face, the tears 25 00:01:43,107 --> 00:01:48,107 Speaker 4: of joy were just absolutely brilliant. And what she achieved 26 00:01:48,147 --> 00:01:51,587 Speaker 4: by beating a world number two in the semis and 27 00:01:51,627 --> 00:01:55,427 Speaker 4: then the world number one in the final is an 28 00:01:55,467 --> 00:01:59,427 Speaker 4: amazing achievement. It's not something that's done too often. I 29 00:01:59,467 --> 00:02:02,187 Speaker 4: think Serena Williams was the last one to do something 30 00:02:02,267 --> 00:02:07,267 Speaker 4: like that, and so that in itself isn't fredibly special. 31 00:02:07,347 --> 00:02:12,907 Speaker 4: So all around, this has been an amazing not just 32 00:02:13,307 --> 00:02:16,947 Speaker 4: this tournament but these few weeks in Australia because she 33 00:02:17,067 --> 00:02:20,867 Speaker 4: came into the Australian Open having one adelaide, so obviously 34 00:02:21,467 --> 00:02:24,307 Speaker 4: she loves playing in Australia because she's one adelaide before. 35 00:02:24,747 --> 00:02:27,307 Speaker 4: So yeah, maybe we should just adopt her. 36 00:02:28,147 --> 00:02:32,267 Speaker 2: Perhaps so, But do you think in her heart of hearts, 37 00:02:32,267 --> 00:02:35,467 Speaker 2: in her deepest, darkest moment, she might have thought, having 38 00:02:35,507 --> 00:02:38,667 Speaker 2: been forty five Majors without a win, that it just 39 00:02:38,827 --> 00:02:40,027 Speaker 2: wasn't going to happen for her. 40 00:02:41,427 --> 00:02:44,587 Speaker 4: Well, look, you know with all the players there, so yeah, 41 00:02:44,627 --> 00:02:47,067 Speaker 4: there are doubts and all that but at the same time, 42 00:02:47,747 --> 00:02:50,347 Speaker 4: they have to have belief. If you don't have belief, 43 00:02:50,907 --> 00:02:53,747 Speaker 4: you might as well not walk on the court. And 44 00:02:53,827 --> 00:02:57,507 Speaker 4: there was that, but she said that she had started 45 00:02:57,547 --> 00:03:04,427 Speaker 4: working with in therapy to give her some of that 46 00:03:04,827 --> 00:03:07,387 Speaker 4: understanding as to why things for not happening. She's an 47 00:03:07,427 --> 00:03:11,947 Speaker 4: Initially she did it for the sports aspect, but she's 48 00:03:11,987 --> 00:03:15,787 Speaker 4: now done it for the personal aspect. And she said 49 00:03:15,827 --> 00:03:18,507 Speaker 4: she was admitting things that she hated to admit and 50 00:03:18,547 --> 00:03:21,187 Speaker 4: she never wanted to and didn't like doing. But she 51 00:03:21,267 --> 00:03:24,667 Speaker 4: said it's helped her on the mental side of her 52 00:03:24,747 --> 00:03:29,507 Speaker 4: approach to life, but also to her professional career. So 53 00:03:29,747 --> 00:03:32,747 Speaker 4: it's all fallen into place. She's going to be ranked 54 00:03:33,267 --> 00:03:36,787 Speaker 4: at a career equal best of seven in the world, 55 00:03:37,947 --> 00:03:41,147 Speaker 4: so it's it's all fantastic. And she and she puts 56 00:03:41,147 --> 00:03:43,027 Speaker 4: away three and a half million dollars. 57 00:03:43,067 --> 00:03:46,027 Speaker 2: Twenty nine years old, now medicine case. Could she having 58 00:03:46,107 --> 00:03:47,947 Speaker 2: won one now, Craig win a few more? 59 00:03:49,067 --> 00:03:49,427 Speaker 3: Why not? 60 00:03:50,427 --> 00:03:52,307 Speaker 4: I mean, you get the monkey if you're back the 61 00:03:52,347 --> 00:03:56,987 Speaker 4: first time and doors start to open. There is this 62 00:03:57,107 --> 00:04:00,907 Speaker 4: level of confidence. And don't expect her to go winning 63 00:04:00,947 --> 00:04:03,667 Speaker 4: week after week after week, title after title. 64 00:04:04,027 --> 00:04:06,827 Speaker 3: That's not going to happen. That's you know, that's for 65 00:04:06,947 --> 00:04:08,347 Speaker 3: some of the freaks of the game. 66 00:04:08,827 --> 00:04:11,227 Speaker 4: But you know, I dare say she could suffer a 67 00:04:11,227 --> 00:04:13,987 Speaker 4: bit of a letdown after this, because you're such an 68 00:04:13,987 --> 00:04:16,987 Speaker 4: adrenaline high that once these sort of things are done, 69 00:04:17,067 --> 00:04:20,587 Speaker 4: there's sort of like an empty feeling. And you know, 70 00:04:20,907 --> 00:04:23,787 Speaker 4: I wouldn't be surprised if she loses her next few tournaments, 71 00:04:23,787 --> 00:04:27,427 Speaker 4: but then she'll get back on track and pick things 72 00:04:27,467 --> 00:04:27,907 Speaker 4: up again. 73 00:04:27,987 --> 00:04:31,107 Speaker 3: But absolutely the door is open for her to win more. 74 00:04:31,507 --> 00:04:35,107 Speaker 2: For every elighted winner, there's a disappointed loser. Tell us 75 00:04:35,147 --> 00:04:38,907 Speaker 2: about the demeanor of Arena Seblinka, Well. 76 00:04:38,827 --> 00:04:40,907 Speaker 4: There's a lot of frustration that came out of her 77 00:04:41,187 --> 00:04:45,467 Speaker 4: because she really wanted an obviously soul to put her 78 00:04:45,547 --> 00:04:48,267 Speaker 4: name into into the history books or rewrite some of 79 00:04:48,307 --> 00:04:51,547 Speaker 4: it by winning a third title in a row, which 80 00:04:51,547 --> 00:04:55,707 Speaker 4: hasn't been done for twenty five plus years. Martina Hingis 81 00:04:55,747 --> 00:04:57,707 Speaker 4: was the last one to do it from ninety seven 82 00:04:57,707 --> 00:05:02,147 Speaker 4: to ninety nine, So you know, there was that frustration 83 00:05:02,267 --> 00:05:04,987 Speaker 4: that came out at the end when after they shook 84 00:05:05,067 --> 00:05:08,427 Speaker 4: hands and the rat she used in the match will 85 00:05:08,427 --> 00:05:12,107 Speaker 4: not be used in the tennis match again. So it 86 00:05:12,187 --> 00:05:14,507 Speaker 4: was a mess but you know, and then she left 87 00:05:14,507 --> 00:05:16,267 Speaker 4: the court and she said, I needed to get off 88 00:05:16,307 --> 00:05:19,827 Speaker 4: the court. I needed some time to myself and to compose, 89 00:05:20,067 --> 00:05:21,867 Speaker 4: you know, to be a bit more composed when she 90 00:05:21,947 --> 00:05:25,707 Speaker 4: went back for the presentation ceremony, and she gave a 91 00:05:25,867 --> 00:05:28,387 Speaker 4: very gracious speech at the end. 92 00:05:29,187 --> 00:05:32,067 Speaker 2: So men's singles final tonight in the top two seats, 93 00:05:32,187 --> 00:05:36,107 Speaker 2: defending champion Yannick Center against Alexander Zverev, who's still looking 94 00:05:36,147 --> 00:05:38,907 Speaker 2: for his first major. When could Ziev perhaps take some 95 00:05:38,987 --> 00:05:40,587 Speaker 2: inspiration from Medicine. 96 00:05:40,227 --> 00:05:45,307 Speaker 4: Keys, Absolutely well, I wouldn't say so much from Madison Keys, 97 00:05:45,747 --> 00:05:49,227 Speaker 4: but I think he's he's got the determination to do it. 98 00:05:49,307 --> 00:05:53,387 Speaker 4: He can absolutely do it. You know, he desperately wants it. 99 00:05:53,387 --> 00:05:56,787 Speaker 4: He's made that clear. He's been in two finals previously. 100 00:05:57,187 --> 00:05:59,307 Speaker 4: The US Open was the first one. He lost a 101 00:05:59,347 --> 00:06:03,027 Speaker 4: Dominique team and after having championship points, and then he 102 00:06:03,107 --> 00:06:06,707 Speaker 4: lost to Kalas Alcarez in the French Open final. He 103 00:06:06,747 --> 00:06:10,187 Speaker 4: feels it's his time now and he wants to wants 104 00:06:10,267 --> 00:06:12,627 Speaker 4: this very badly. He says it's something he's dreamed of 105 00:06:13,107 --> 00:06:16,107 Speaker 4: since growing you know, growing up. But then he's got 106 00:06:16,147 --> 00:06:17,787 Speaker 4: the world number one on the other side of the 107 00:06:17,867 --> 00:06:21,827 Speaker 4: quart as well, who is just so amazing at the 108 00:06:21,827 --> 00:06:26,027 Speaker 4: moment as an individual, as a tennis player. So I 109 00:06:26,467 --> 00:06:28,147 Speaker 4: hope and I would expect we're going to see an 110 00:06:28,187 --> 00:06:31,027 Speaker 4: amazing tennis match. I wouldn't say the women's match was 111 00:06:31,067 --> 00:06:34,667 Speaker 4: that great except for the last few games when it 112 00:06:34,707 --> 00:06:37,827 Speaker 4: got really quite thrilling. But I think you know, we 113 00:06:37,867 --> 00:06:40,667 Speaker 4: could see one that's going the distance tonight. 114 00:06:40,747 --> 00:06:42,507 Speaker 3: Absolutely. I don't know. 115 00:06:42,587 --> 00:06:46,427 Speaker 4: I mean, my initial thought all along with the tournament 116 00:06:46,507 --> 00:06:52,267 Speaker 4: has been Sinner to repeat, But I just feel there 117 00:06:52,307 --> 00:06:55,347 Speaker 4: is also that that situation. As I was saying about, 118 00:06:55,667 --> 00:06:58,467 Speaker 4: it's very I feeling it's his time. So you know, 119 00:06:58,667 --> 00:07:01,387 Speaker 4: whoever wins is going to be a worthy champion. 120 00:07:01,667 --> 00:07:04,987 Speaker 2: Just on Ciner, he's been imperious straight see its wins. 121 00:07:05,107 --> 00:07:07,227 Speaker 2: This quarter has seen me I think twenty matches, I 122 00:07:07,267 --> 00:07:10,547 Speaker 2: heard you say to a twenty straight match ones number 123 00:07:10,587 --> 00:07:14,707 Speaker 2: one since June? What has impressed you most, Craig about 124 00:07:14,747 --> 00:07:17,067 Speaker 2: Yannick Sinner, not just at this tournament, but but since 125 00:07:17,107 --> 00:07:18,787 Speaker 2: he's been world number one. 126 00:07:19,427 --> 00:07:24,867 Speaker 4: His humility, He's such an easy, down to earth person. 127 00:07:25,107 --> 00:07:30,507 Speaker 4: He's softly spoken, you know. He he's been asked, how 128 00:07:30,547 --> 00:07:32,787 Speaker 4: has being number one changed you? He says, it hasn't. 129 00:07:32,867 --> 00:07:35,827 Speaker 4: It's not changed me at all. You know, he was 130 00:07:35,867 --> 00:07:40,027 Speaker 4: asked are you unbeatable? And he explained that he's not unbeatable. 131 00:07:40,267 --> 00:07:43,787 Speaker 4: He just works very hard and he has a mental, 132 00:07:45,107 --> 00:07:49,027 Speaker 4: mental strength and matches to win these matches, he said, 133 00:07:49,067 --> 00:07:52,147 Speaker 4: But he could be beaten at any time somebody, some 134 00:07:52,227 --> 00:07:55,307 Speaker 4: other player may have an absolute blinder. The last time 135 00:07:55,347 --> 00:07:58,107 Speaker 4: he was beaten was in the final of Beijing in 136 00:07:58,147 --> 00:08:01,507 Speaker 4: October last year to Carlos Alcaraz and that was another 137 00:08:01,547 --> 00:08:10,627 Speaker 4: tight match. So nobody's unbeatable, but certainly he's a tremendous individual. 138 00:08:11,547 --> 00:08:14,467 Speaker 2: And it wasn't to be twenty five in twenty five 139 00:08:14,507 --> 00:08:16,707 Speaker 2: for Novak Djokovic forced to retire and to see me 140 00:08:16,747 --> 00:08:19,427 Speaker 2: against fear of Do you think twenty four might be 141 00:08:19,507 --> 00:08:20,387 Speaker 2: his final number? 142 00:08:21,347 --> 00:08:23,587 Speaker 3: I don't know. I mean, you know, there's still another 143 00:08:23,627 --> 00:08:26,947 Speaker 3: three majors in twenty five to go, the French Wimbledon 144 00:08:27,027 --> 00:08:30,627 Speaker 3: and the US Open, so he's still got some opportunities. 145 00:08:30,707 --> 00:08:32,867 Speaker 3: This year. I think it's going to get tougher. 146 00:08:33,587 --> 00:08:37,787 Speaker 4: He turns thirty eight in May, and you know, some 147 00:08:37,827 --> 00:08:41,827 Speaker 4: of these injuries are creeping in. But I feel very 148 00:08:41,867 --> 00:08:44,867 Speaker 4: sure that he's going to give it everything he's got 149 00:08:45,027 --> 00:08:49,267 Speaker 4: and more to try and get himself across that line 150 00:08:49,347 --> 00:08:54,267 Speaker 4: and gain that record just for himself, because he shares 151 00:08:54,267 --> 00:08:57,987 Speaker 4: that record right now with Margaret Court on twenty four 152 00:08:58,067 --> 00:09:02,187 Speaker 4: career majors, So that's what he's striving for. Last year 153 00:09:02,187 --> 00:09:04,227 Speaker 4: he was striving for the Olympic gold medal and he 154 00:09:04,267 --> 00:09:07,347 Speaker 4: got it. He'd beat Carlos Algaaz in the final. So 155 00:09:08,507 --> 00:09:11,867 Speaker 4: you know, we'll see. But these injuries are obviously a 156 00:09:11,907 --> 00:09:15,507 Speaker 4: bit of a matter of concern. You know, he was 157 00:09:15,547 --> 00:09:19,107 Speaker 4: affected and rightly so with the booing when when he 158 00:09:19,387 --> 00:09:22,027 Speaker 4: retired from the Zverev match in the in the semis, 159 00:09:23,067 --> 00:09:26,387 Speaker 4: and he's posted on social media a picture of the 160 00:09:26,427 --> 00:09:31,227 Speaker 4: scan that shows there is a tear and that's why 161 00:09:31,267 --> 00:09:35,187 Speaker 4: he retired. So you know, he would not have retired 162 00:09:35,667 --> 00:09:38,187 Speaker 4: if he was able to play through at all, but 163 00:09:38,267 --> 00:09:39,947 Speaker 4: the pain levels were getting two intense. 164 00:09:40,867 --> 00:09:43,147 Speaker 2: Craig, have really enjoyed your coverage over the last two 165 00:09:43,147 --> 00:09:46,827 Speaker 2: weeks in Melbourne. It's type for a classic finale tonight 166 00:09:46,867 --> 00:09:49,547 Speaker 2: in the men's singles final. Thanks as always for joining 167 00:09:49,587 --> 00:09:52,347 Speaker 2: us across New Zealand. Thanks Yson, Thanks Craig, Craig Gabriel 168 00:09:52,387 --> 00:09:55,547 Speaker 2: there our man in Melbourne covering the Australian Tennis Open. 169 00:09:55,587 --> 00:09:58,827 Speaker 2: So we have our women's champion Medicine Keys beating Arena 170 00:09:58,867 --> 00:10:02,387 Speaker 2: Seblinka last night, Men's champion. Will we decided tonight on ticks? 171 00:10:02,387 --> 00:10:05,827 Speaker 2: Can you please tell me what time the men's final starts? 172 00:10:05,867 --> 00:10:09,507 Speaker 2: Absolutely I can. Nine to thirty tonight. Nine thirty is 173 00:10:09,827 --> 00:10:14,427 Speaker 2: the scheduled start time on rod Laver Arena. The women's 174 00:10:14,587 --> 00:10:18,027 Speaker 2: doubles final is on from five o'clock this afternoon. Unfortunately, 175 00:10:18,387 --> 00:10:20,627 Speaker 2: our own Aeron Rautliffe will not be there, beaten in 176 00:10:20,627 --> 00:10:24,587 Speaker 2: the semifinals. She and partner Gabby Dobrowski beaten in the 177 00:10:24,627 --> 00:10:26,667 Speaker 2: semis so it would have been nice to see Eron 178 00:10:26,707 --> 00:10:29,507 Speaker 2: Ratliffe out on rod Laver Arena later on this afternoon. 179 00:10:29,507 --> 00:10:32,467 Speaker 2: Not to be so she won't be there the men's final. 180 00:10:32,547 --> 00:10:35,747 Speaker 2: Yellick sinner Alexander Zverev one v two nine thirty tonight 181 00:10:35,787 --> 00:10:36,747 Speaker 2: at rod Laver Arena. 182 00:10:37,507 --> 00:10:40,707 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 183 00:10:40,787 --> 00:10:44,107 Speaker 1: to news Talk zed B weekends from midday or follow 184 00:10:44,147 --> 00:10:45,907 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio