Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Australian Open: Andy Murray, Nick Kyrgios & Liam Broady on John Cain Arena

Written by 
Published in Tennis
Tuesday, 18 January 2022 07:25

What's it like walking out to face Nick Kyrgios on his favourite court at the Australian Open?

"Absolutely awful" is how Britain's Liam Broady describes it.

Broady lost his first-round match 6-4 6-4 6-3 to home favourite Kyrgios on the rowdy John Cain Arena.

Kyrgios has often described the venue - which is nicknamed 'the people's court'external-link - as his favourite to play on because of the atmosphere.

"It's the first time I have ever walked on to a tennis court and been booed," Broady said.

"You get sledged from the sides - you can't believe that they don't pick it up on TV."

The John Cain Arena is open to ground pass holders, meaning anyone at Melbourne Park can watch the match.

It makes for a packed court full of noise, colour and flags - and the odd beer here and there.

Broady joked that none of the sledging he had received from the crowd was repeatable in his post-match news conference.

"Everyone is telling me 'oh, you'll really enjoy it. It's going to be amazing'," he said.

"But I thought it was absolutely awful. I obviously wanted to go out there and win, so losing matches in general isn't enjoyable.

"As tennis players we're entertainers, and as long as the crowd are enjoying it I think we're doing our job."

Before Kyrgios took to the stage, Andy Murray made his return to the court where, in 2019, he thought he might have played his last match.

During his engrossing four-hour match with Nikoloz Basilashvili, Murray thought he was being booed by some of the crowd and called them out in his post-match interview by saying: "That's painful stuff, there. Those guys..."

However, he realised afterwards they were shouting "siuuu", which means yes in Spanish. It is part of Cristiano Ronaldo's celebration after scoring a goal for Portugal and Manchester United.

"Initially, I thought it was booing because there were some people booing during my practice yesterday," Murray said.

"But then after a few times it was like, 'No, they're doing that, I think it's like 'siuu' or something that Ronaldo does when he scores.

"And, yeah, it was incredibly irritating," he said, smiling.

Kyrgios was annoyed at one point by the crowd noise but showed all of his incredible shot-making, including underarm serves and a through-the-legs shot.

He mimicked Ronaldo's celebration after securing victory and then described the atmosphere as "a zoo out there".

"They were doing some Ronaldo thing and I thought they were going to do it for like 10 minutes," he said.

"They did it for two-and-a-half hours, like every point. I don't know why."

Broady praised Kyrgios for using the crowd's energy to power him through the match.

"I think if you told Nick to stop all of that showmanship and stuff he does it would take away a big strength of his game," he said.

"I am all for it, to be honest, even when it's against me.

"The way he orchestrates the crowd - you see videos on TV, but it doesn't do it justice when you're playing in front of an Aussie crowd on Nick Kyrgios' home court.

"It was pretty crazy out there. But glad to have got it out of the way."

Read 323 times

Soccer

Miami trades forward Robert Taylor to Austin FC

Miami trades forward Robert Taylor to Austin FC

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsInter Miami CF has traded forward Robert Taylor to Austin FC for $7...

Madrid face Copa crisis as Camavinga, Alaba hurt

Madrid face Copa crisis as Camavinga, Alaba hurt

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCarlo Ancelotti admitted that it will be "difficult" for David Alab...

Arteta: Arsenal 'dropped standards' against Palace

Arteta: Arsenal 'dropped standards' against Palace

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLONDON -- Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal "dropped our standards" in...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Celtics' Tatum misses first playoff game of career

Celtics' Tatum misses first playoff game of career

EmailPrintCeltics star forward Jayson Tatum missed the first playoff game of his career Wednesday ni...

Knicks' Brunson wins NBA's Clutch Player award

Knicks' Brunson wins NBA's Clutch Player award

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAfter arriving in New York three years ago, Knicks star Jalen Bruns...

Baseball

Diaz 'good' after exiting Mets' win with hip issue

Diaz 'good' after exiting Mets' win with hip issue

EmailPrintNEW YORK -- Edwin Diaz left the New York Mets' 4-3, extra-innings win over the Philadelphi...

O's Rodriguez has lat injury, weeks from throwing

O's Rodriguez has lat injury, weeks from throwing

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWASHINGTON -- Baltimore Orioles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez, who...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated