1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,547 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 News Talks EDB. 3 00:00:12,947 --> 00:00:14,827 Speaker 2: The top four men seeds have played at a pair 4 00:00:14,867 --> 00:00:19,227 Speaker 2: of epic semifinals at the Australian Tennis Open in Melbourne. 5 00:00:19,267 --> 00:00:22,067 Speaker 2: Number one seed Carlos el Karez will meet ten time 6 00:00:22,147 --> 00:00:26,547 Speaker 2: champion Novak Djokovic in the final after both prevailed in 7 00:00:26,667 --> 00:00:30,507 Speaker 2: five sets. Djokovic wrapped up his four hour and nine 8 00:00:30,547 --> 00:00:34,227 Speaker 2: minute win over second seed and two time defending champion 9 00:00:34,307 --> 00:00:38,227 Speaker 2: Yannick Cinner at one thirty this morning local time. 10 00:00:39,107 --> 00:00:43,907 Speaker 3: Djokovic thrones center and the Kenny Melbourne is buck in 11 00:00:43,947 --> 00:00:47,707 Speaker 3: the file Well Stars Karen Shi at our Darkness and 12 00:00:47,747 --> 00:00:51,347 Speaker 3: it's been a long time since Novaka's won a major 13 00:00:52,467 --> 00:00:57,227 Speaker 3: been under the Malvine Knightsime Skow, the biggest star in Mansallas, 14 00:00:57,787 --> 00:00:59,307 Speaker 3: has given himself a shark. 15 00:00:59,507 --> 00:01:03,307 Speaker 2: He has so Novak into the final. Earlier, Carlos Helkaaz 16 00:01:03,387 --> 00:01:07,187 Speaker 2: needed five hours and twenty seven minutes to our last. 17 00:01:07,187 --> 00:01:10,267 Speaker 2: Third seed Alexander Zverie of the third longest match in 18 00:01:10,307 --> 00:01:15,147 Speaker 2: the history of the Australian Opens. 19 00:01:15,667 --> 00:01:22,867 Speaker 4: Bublius Cross secures a place and he is very first 20 00:01:22,907 --> 00:01:38,107 Speaker 4: Australian PM final an endurance sut battle for sasion, spirit, belief. 21 00:01:41,187 --> 00:01:52,907 Speaker 4: It's a brilliance, but mental fortitude nos sees him in five. 22 00:01:53,387 --> 00:01:56,387 Speaker 2: And amongst that incredible atmosphere was the voice of one 23 00:01:56,427 --> 00:01:59,027 Speaker 2: of the best tennis commentators in the world, Rob Kernig, 24 00:01:59,067 --> 00:02:02,587 Speaker 2: who joins us now from Melbourne. Rob, you've watched a 25 00:02:02,627 --> 00:02:06,027 Speaker 2: lot of tennis, a lot of sweet as yesterday sits 26 00:02:06,547 --> 00:02:11,547 Speaker 2: among the days of elite tennis that you've witnessed to. 27 00:02:11,787 --> 00:02:12,827 Speaker 5: Said's right up there. 28 00:02:13,947 --> 00:02:16,307 Speaker 6: It's got to be top five of all time when 29 00:02:16,347 --> 00:02:17,947 Speaker 6: you get you know what the funny thing is, the 30 00:02:17,947 --> 00:02:21,707 Speaker 6: tournament up until the first five set of yesterday hadn't 31 00:02:21,747 --> 00:02:22,827 Speaker 6: had a five sets. 32 00:02:22,707 --> 00:02:24,947 Speaker 5: On Rodalava Arena. I mean that must have been some 33 00:02:24,987 --> 00:02:26,187 Speaker 5: sort of recorder and it stuff. 34 00:02:26,707 --> 00:02:32,027 Speaker 6: So finally the tournament came around and gave rodallev Arena. 35 00:02:31,827 --> 00:02:32,707 Speaker 5: What it deserved. 36 00:02:32,787 --> 00:02:35,587 Speaker 6: But it was epic and of course it all went 37 00:02:36,747 --> 00:02:38,867 Speaker 6: south quickly for Carlos al Chares. 38 00:02:38,947 --> 00:02:40,387 Speaker 5: We didn't suspect anything. 39 00:02:40,947 --> 00:02:42,907 Speaker 6: Just towards the tail end of their third set, when 40 00:02:42,907 --> 00:02:45,307 Speaker 6: he was up two sets to love against Verev and 41 00:02:45,427 --> 00:02:50,907 Speaker 6: suddenly the cramps came in. Obviously, he told a lie 42 00:02:51,027 --> 00:02:53,107 Speaker 6: about the fact that he had injured his leg and 43 00:02:53,147 --> 00:02:55,947 Speaker 6: he felt that it might have been a pull, because 44 00:02:55,947 --> 00:02:58,387 Speaker 6: I'm not sure if you're sure about the nuance of 45 00:02:58,427 --> 00:03:02,347 Speaker 6: the tennis rule for cramps, you cannot get a medical 46 00:03:02,347 --> 00:03:04,147 Speaker 6: time out, so the physier can come on, you can 47 00:03:04,187 --> 00:03:06,027 Speaker 6: give you a little rub, but only for the change 48 00:03:06,067 --> 00:03:09,227 Speaker 6: of being. If you've got an injury, then he can 49 00:03:09,267 --> 00:03:11,347 Speaker 6: come on, you can assess you, he can give you 50 00:03:11,387 --> 00:03:14,587 Speaker 6: a three minute medical time out, and that's what he got, 51 00:03:15,547 --> 00:03:16,307 Speaker 6: and that's why. 52 00:03:16,307 --> 00:03:17,427 Speaker 5: Zariv was so fuming. 53 00:03:17,467 --> 00:03:19,867 Speaker 6: But of course it's still did change the match and 54 00:03:20,107 --> 00:03:22,707 Speaker 6: it's very, oh so close to getting to another final. 55 00:03:22,827 --> 00:03:26,227 Speaker 2: He was, indeed, and as you say, rightly unhappy afterwards, 56 00:03:26,227 --> 00:03:28,907 Speaker 2: that is a valid complaint from him, isn't it the 57 00:03:28,947 --> 00:03:31,667 Speaker 2: way you've outlined it. So Alkore should really just have 58 00:03:32,107 --> 00:03:34,347 Speaker 2: played on and if he's cramping up, he's cramping. 59 00:03:34,107 --> 00:03:35,427 Speaker 5: Up, correct. 60 00:03:35,507 --> 00:03:39,907 Speaker 6: You get two additional treatments after the first one. The 61 00:03:39,907 --> 00:03:42,107 Speaker 6: first treatment for cramp on the change of end is 62 00:03:42,147 --> 00:03:44,747 Speaker 6: regarded as an assessment, and then after that you can 63 00:03:44,787 --> 00:03:46,467 Speaker 6: get two full change of ends. 64 00:03:46,707 --> 00:03:48,427 Speaker 5: But it can only be a change of end. He 65 00:03:48,547 --> 00:03:50,427 Speaker 5: knew it. 66 00:03:50,427 --> 00:03:53,867 Speaker 6: It's always a great area in our sport when it 67 00:03:53,907 --> 00:03:55,587 Speaker 6: comes to assessing is it a pull? 68 00:03:55,787 --> 00:03:57,587 Speaker 5: Is it a cramping? 69 00:03:58,067 --> 00:04:00,867 Speaker 6: But of course for me, the giveaway was the moments 70 00:04:00,867 --> 00:04:03,507 Speaker 6: he was getting treated he popped a little bit of 71 00:04:03,547 --> 00:04:05,947 Speaker 6: peckle juice. You don't take pickle juice if your injurer. 72 00:04:07,587 --> 00:04:10,147 Speaker 2: You're right, yes, the clue, the clue was right there. 73 00:04:10,187 --> 00:04:14,747 Speaker 2: And playing sight with Novak Djokovic just into another Australian 74 00:04:14,787 --> 00:04:17,227 Speaker 2: Open final. Now that he's there, Rob, could he actually 75 00:04:17,267 --> 00:04:18,227 Speaker 2: win another one? 76 00:04:18,747 --> 00:04:20,507 Speaker 5: Absolutely? Absolutely? 77 00:04:20,867 --> 00:04:24,187 Speaker 6: And you know I used a similar line when Federer 78 00:04:24,347 --> 00:04:27,067 Speaker 6: was playing, and I'm going to say it for Novak. 79 00:04:27,107 --> 00:04:30,667 Speaker 6: Novak Djokovic will stop winning majors when Novak Djokovic stops 80 00:04:30,747 --> 00:04:34,187 Speaker 6: playing in these majors. Man, these guys are so good. 81 00:04:34,227 --> 00:04:35,827 Speaker 6: But he was so aggressive last night. I think that 82 00:04:35,987 --> 00:04:37,947 Speaker 6: was the key. He knew that he couldn't be. 83 00:04:37,907 --> 00:04:40,347 Speaker 5: Passive, didn't quite have the legs in him. But his 84 00:04:40,467 --> 00:04:41,747 Speaker 5: serve was a joke. 85 00:04:42,107 --> 00:04:45,667 Speaker 6: You talk about one of the biggest improvements in a 86 00:04:45,707 --> 00:04:48,507 Speaker 6: shot in a career, maybe in the history of the 87 00:04:48,587 --> 00:04:51,227 Speaker 6: sport al would almost goes far as saying that it 88 00:04:51,267 --> 00:04:53,267 Speaker 6: would have to be his serf. I mean, back in 89 00:04:53,267 --> 00:04:56,307 Speaker 6: twenty ten, he was struggling so much with it. Got 90 00:04:56,307 --> 00:04:58,987 Speaker 6: Todd Martin and the try toffects, it got worse and 91 00:04:59,027 --> 00:05:01,627 Speaker 6: then he you know, with Marion Veider, he eventually affected it. 92 00:05:01,627 --> 00:05:03,747 Speaker 6: In twenty eleven had one of the best seasons ever 93 00:05:04,067 --> 00:05:07,587 Speaker 6: and that has been a mainstay for a decade and 94 00:05:07,587 --> 00:05:11,387 Speaker 6: a half now that things only got better. And last 95 00:05:11,467 --> 00:05:15,147 Speaker 6: night we sought in full living color how good that 96 00:05:15,267 --> 00:05:17,227 Speaker 6: serve was. It's not the biggest, but he is one 97 00:05:17,227 --> 00:05:19,427 Speaker 6: of them. He's become one of the best spots servers 98 00:05:19,587 --> 00:05:20,667 Speaker 6: the sport has ever seen. 99 00:05:21,347 --> 00:05:23,347 Speaker 2: So he's in the final and he hasn't had to 100 00:05:23,387 --> 00:05:26,507 Speaker 2: play anywhere near as much tennis as he ordinarily would 101 00:05:26,547 --> 00:05:28,547 Speaker 2: have to get their men check the walkover of course 102 00:05:28,587 --> 00:05:31,867 Speaker 2: in the fourth round. Then Masheti retiring in the quarterfinals 103 00:05:31,907 --> 00:05:34,187 Speaker 2: when he was two sets to love Ahd and Novak 104 00:05:34,267 --> 00:05:36,427 Speaker 2: himself said, look, you are the better player. I should 105 00:05:36,467 --> 00:05:38,667 Speaker 2: be going home now that he's in the final with 106 00:05:39,467 --> 00:05:41,947 Speaker 2: not having had to play as much tennis, is that 107 00:05:42,027 --> 00:05:44,307 Speaker 2: going to play a part against el Karez tomorrow night? 108 00:05:45,027 --> 00:05:45,867 Speaker 5: No, I don't think so. 109 00:05:46,267 --> 00:05:48,427 Speaker 6: He's bad enough tennis last night and he would have 110 00:05:48,507 --> 00:05:51,307 Speaker 6: been dialed in. You know, when you play somebody, Jase, 111 00:05:51,347 --> 00:05:53,787 Speaker 6: when you plagugains, somebody hits the ball as well as 112 00:05:54,347 --> 00:05:59,067 Speaker 6: as senators. You feel whoever your opponent is next, that 113 00:05:59,427 --> 00:06:02,427 Speaker 6: you are you're so dialed in because there's not many 114 00:06:02,427 --> 00:06:03,987 Speaker 6: people that hit the ball better than the Ennick Center. 115 00:06:03,987 --> 00:06:06,107 Speaker 6: So I think you'll be ready for the challenge that 116 00:06:06,427 --> 00:06:09,627 Speaker 6: Olcarez possesses. Obviously, the physical side of it's going to 117 00:06:09,667 --> 00:06:12,227 Speaker 6: be big. How was Alcarez going to be feeling, and 118 00:06:12,267 --> 00:06:14,267 Speaker 6: of course how's the older statesman going to be feeling. 119 00:06:14,267 --> 00:06:16,307 Speaker 6: But we've had a couple of majors now, and you know, 120 00:06:16,347 --> 00:06:20,827 Speaker 6: Sinner's been the beneficiary of these, a couple of guys 121 00:06:20,867 --> 00:06:21,587 Speaker 6: getting injured. 122 00:06:22,307 --> 00:06:23,227 Speaker 5: I think it was who was that? 123 00:06:23,307 --> 00:06:25,387 Speaker 6: It was Grigor at Wimbledon last year that had him 124 00:06:25,427 --> 00:06:29,267 Speaker 6: two sets to love. You know, twelve months ago against Holgaruna, 125 00:06:29,307 --> 00:06:31,947 Speaker 6: he was struggling in the beginning of the fourth set, 126 00:06:32,027 --> 00:06:34,107 Speaker 6: the net broke. Don't know if you remember that the 127 00:06:34,267 --> 00:06:37,187 Speaker 6: net hook broke last year that gave Center a bit 128 00:06:37,227 --> 00:06:37,587 Speaker 6: of a reprieve. 129 00:06:37,667 --> 00:06:38,867 Speaker 5: He went on to win the tournament. 130 00:06:38,907 --> 00:06:42,507 Speaker 6: And I'm just wondering if the tennis gods are going 131 00:06:42,587 --> 00:06:46,227 Speaker 6: to help Chokovic win number twenty five and the catapults 132 00:06:46,267 --> 00:06:47,947 Speaker 6: himself into a galaxy of his own. 133 00:06:47,987 --> 00:06:49,067 Speaker 5: No one's ever been there. 134 00:06:49,027 --> 00:06:51,467 Speaker 2: No intriguing. Just the other thing I wanted to ask 135 00:06:51,467 --> 00:06:53,867 Speaker 2: you about, Robbie. I've watched a lot of tennis, and 136 00:06:54,387 --> 00:06:56,787 Speaker 2: it's the aftermath of Cocoa golf smashing her rack it 137 00:06:56,867 --> 00:06:59,627 Speaker 2: the other day, she looked for a place without cameras 138 00:06:59,667 --> 00:07:02,947 Speaker 2: to channel her frustrations. Was unhappy to learn that that 139 00:07:03,067 --> 00:07:05,467 Speaker 2: video of her striking her racket on the floor a 140 00:07:05,467 --> 00:07:09,867 Speaker 2: few times had been broadcast. Should players have more privacy 141 00:07:09,947 --> 00:07:12,267 Speaker 2: away from the courts during tournaments. 142 00:07:14,267 --> 00:07:17,187 Speaker 6: It's a fair question, but I'll give you my answer 143 00:07:17,227 --> 00:07:19,427 Speaker 6: like this. That's been the same way for the last 144 00:07:19,507 --> 00:07:23,747 Speaker 6: six years. That's always been And it's not like that 145 00:07:23,907 --> 00:07:29,427 Speaker 6: area where she was private. There's a a huge thoroughfare, 146 00:07:29,707 --> 00:07:33,787 Speaker 6: so where all the players come into the bottom of 147 00:07:33,827 --> 00:07:37,187 Speaker 6: the stadium is where everybody does their warm up. So 148 00:07:37,307 --> 00:07:40,107 Speaker 6: that has been a very popular spot to have cameras. 149 00:07:40,187 --> 00:07:43,787 Speaker 6: So that needs to be cleared up first. It's not 150 00:07:43,867 --> 00:07:48,587 Speaker 6: like they've put cameras in a place where it's ultra private. 151 00:07:48,667 --> 00:07:50,227 Speaker 5: It's been there for six years. 152 00:07:50,787 --> 00:07:54,147 Speaker 6: The other thing it's interesting is players are always asking 153 00:07:54,227 --> 00:07:57,067 Speaker 6: for their own camera crews to follow them around to 154 00:07:57,107 --> 00:07:58,427 Speaker 6: even more private places. 155 00:07:58,667 --> 00:07:59,587 Speaker 5: The tournament gets so. 156 00:07:59,547 --> 00:08:03,307 Speaker 6: Many requests for everybody who's doing, you know, their own 157 00:08:03,627 --> 00:08:06,627 Speaker 6: biographies and their own shooting, or they want their own tent, 158 00:08:06,987 --> 00:08:11,227 Speaker 6: so they're happy to have somebody follow them around. 159 00:08:11,107 --> 00:08:12,507 Speaker 5: When it suits them. 160 00:08:13,067 --> 00:08:16,707 Speaker 6: But when the tournament wants to, you know, showcase some 161 00:08:16,747 --> 00:08:19,827 Speaker 6: of the stuff behind the scenes, and not even and 162 00:08:19,987 --> 00:08:22,907 Speaker 6: as private of a place as what the players want 163 00:08:22,947 --> 00:08:26,187 Speaker 6: for their own camera crew to come as a problem. 164 00:08:26,547 --> 00:08:29,707 Speaker 6: So that's what I've got the problem with JAS. You know, 165 00:08:31,027 --> 00:08:33,307 Speaker 6: we want to show the players a little bit behind 166 00:08:33,347 --> 00:08:33,827 Speaker 6: the scenes. 167 00:08:34,307 --> 00:08:36,507 Speaker 5: We never go to too many private places. 168 00:08:36,587 --> 00:08:41,387 Speaker 6: And yeah, I think at the end of the day, 169 00:08:42,307 --> 00:08:44,507 Speaker 6: it's nice to see a human side. I don't think 170 00:08:44,547 --> 00:08:46,827 Speaker 6: anybody's counting it against it. 171 00:08:46,827 --> 00:08:49,707 Speaker 5: It's nice to see how much it. 172 00:08:49,827 --> 00:08:53,307 Speaker 6: Means to them when we see Fearah crying on the court, 173 00:08:53,387 --> 00:08:54,627 Speaker 6: you know, wherever it might be. 174 00:08:54,747 --> 00:08:57,907 Speaker 5: I think it's never easy. 175 00:08:57,947 --> 00:09:00,387 Speaker 6: It's never easy to find the right blend. But you 176 00:09:00,387 --> 00:09:03,347 Speaker 6: know what also disappoints me is Creig Tidi has always 177 00:09:03,347 --> 00:09:09,107 Speaker 6: had such an open door policy with the players where 178 00:09:09,107 --> 00:09:11,187 Speaker 6: his rumors, anybody can walk in then and have a 179 00:09:11,267 --> 00:09:13,507 Speaker 6: chat with him. He's got such a good relationship with them. 180 00:09:13,787 --> 00:09:16,267 Speaker 6: You know, if eager or somebody's got to complain. Also 181 00:09:16,387 --> 00:09:19,867 Speaker 6: eager we're saying what she said. She could have easily 182 00:09:19,907 --> 00:09:23,347 Speaker 6: just said to Craig, Hey, Craig, we're don't appreciate it, 183 00:09:24,307 --> 00:09:24,907 Speaker 6: you know, can we. 184 00:09:24,867 --> 00:09:25,387 Speaker 5: Talk about it. 185 00:09:25,387 --> 00:09:28,387 Speaker 6: I'm about to go into press. I want to say this. 186 00:09:29,147 --> 00:09:31,787 Speaker 6: What do you think about that? And that's what disappoints 187 00:09:31,867 --> 00:09:35,387 Speaker 6: me because he is the most well liked guy and 188 00:09:35,947 --> 00:09:38,307 Speaker 6: players know that about him, and that disappoints me about 189 00:09:38,307 --> 00:09:38,947 Speaker 6: the players. 190 00:09:40,587 --> 00:09:43,827 Speaker 2: Very interesting perspective of I've always love chatting tennis with you, mate. 191 00:09:43,827 --> 00:09:46,787 Speaker 2: Here's the two terrific singles finals tonight for the women 192 00:09:46,827 --> 00:09:48,347 Speaker 2: and tomorrow night for the men. Thanks so much for 193 00:09:48,427 --> 00:09:49,627 Speaker 2: joining us across New Zealand. 194 00:09:50,507 --> 00:09:52,707 Speaker 5: I love your country. I love you guys. Thanks for 195 00:09:52,707 --> 00:09:53,467 Speaker 5: having me on now. 196 00:09:53,507 --> 00:09:55,787 Speaker 2: Thanks for joining us, Rob, great stuff, Rob Kernig there. 197 00:09:55,787 --> 00:09:58,587 Speaker 2: You'll recognize the voice from the coverage of the Australian 198 00:09:58,667 --> 00:10:01,867 Speaker 2: Open we've been enjoying over the last two weeks. So 199 00:10:01,907 --> 00:10:06,227 Speaker 2: there's our final in the means, it's locked in tomorrow night, 200 00:10:06,347 --> 00:10:09,227 Speaker 2: alos Alcarez up against Novak Djokovic. 201 00:10:09,867 --> 00:10:13,027 Speaker 1: For more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 202 00:10:13,147 --> 00:10:16,427 Speaker 1: to News Talk set B Weekends from midday or follow 203 00:10:16,467 --> 00:10:18,067 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.