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Game, set, love match! Aussie tennis star debuts new girlfriend

<p>Aussie tennis champion Thanasi Kokkinakis has debuted his new girlfriend after keeping their relationships a secret for "several months". </p> <p>The Adelaide player was spotted with Hannah Dal Sasso in Melbourne, marking the first time they have been spotted together in public. </p> <p>According to reports from the Herald Sun, the loved-up pair attended a gala event ahead of the upcoming Formula 1 Grand Prix at Albert Park. </p> <p>Sasso, a Melbourne-based content creator and social media influencer, confirmed they are seeing each other. </p> <p>“We met a few months ago," she said.</p> <p>“I’ve been travelling with him for a bit.”</p> <p>Dal Sasso also attended the Miami Open in support of her new beau, where Kokkinakis was knocked out in the second round.</p> <p>Kokkinakis has long tried to keep his private life out of the headlines, and quickly had to shut down romance rumours just weeks ago when an innocent tweet sent fans buzzing. </p> <p>The Aussie tennis champ had fans overreacting when he posted a simple but sweet message about Elena Rybakina after she won the Indian Wells WTA title.</p> <p>“Rybakina looks like the nicest girl ever,” Kokkinakis tweeted as Rybakina accepted the trophy.</p> <p>After fans ran wild in the comments, he was forced to add a few minutes later, “Not having a crack (crying laughing emoji) relaaaax.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Instagram</em></p>

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Tennis legends react to Ash Barty’s retirement

<p dir="ltr">Ash Barty surprised the tennis world and fans after announcing her retirement from the sport at the young age of 25.</p> <p dir="ltr">The World No. 1 announced the news on Wednesday saying she knew it was time to move on after winning Wimbledon and the Australian Open.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I will be retiring from tennis. It’s the first time I’ve actually said that out loud and it’s hard to say,” she began.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But I’m so happy and I’m so ready and I just know at the moment in my heart for me as a person, this is right.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m so grateful to everything that tennis has given me. It’s given me all of my dreams, plus more.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But I know that the time is right now for me to step away and chase other dreams. And put the racquets down.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Women’s Tennis Association chief executive Steve Simon wished Barty the best in her future endeavours.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We wish Ash only the very best and know that she will continue to be a tremendous ambassador for the sport of tennis as she embarks on this new chapter of her life,” he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">Fellow tennis legend Serena Williams tweeted: “@ashbarty I can’t lie I was sad to read your decision but also happy for your new chapter. Always your fan close up and afar. Sending all my love.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Ash Barty. Amazing tennis player but even better person. A champion in every sense of the word. Very proud of you mate,” Dylan Alcott wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">Aussie tennis hero Thanasi Kokkinakis kept it simple: “Respect it @ashbarty.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“An incredible tennis player but more importantly one of the nicest people on tour,” American Madison Keys wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Happy for @ashbarty gutted for tennis what a player,” Andy Murray tweeted.</p> <p dir="ltr">“An incredible tennis player but more importantly one of the nicest people on tour,” American Madison Keys wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Congratulations @ashbarty on an amazing career and good luck with what’s next!”</p> <p dir="ltr">Former World No. 1 and Romanian tennis player said she’d miss Barty on tour.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Ash, what can I say, you know I have tears right? My friend, I will miss you on tour,” she tweeted.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You were different, and special, and we shared some amazing moments.</p> <p dir="ltr">“What’s next for you? Grand Slam champion in golf?! Be happy and enjoy your life to the max.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

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The real reason Kyrgios was left off the Davis Cup team

<p dir="ltr">Australian tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis has <a href="https://www.foxsports.com.au/tennis/he-was-asked-doubles-partner-kokkinakis-drops-kyrgios-bomb/news-story/474df82cd7d17fd1f4c5da5c9a8996c9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dispelled rumours</a> that Nick Kyrgios was snubbed by Lleyton Hewitt after Kyrgios was the big omission from Hewitt’s lineup for the upcoming Davis Cup.</p><p><span id="docs-internal-guid-2901835c-7fff-aa1f-4190-60e02c95dc3b"></span></p><p dir="ltr">Following his triumph in last month’s Australian Open men’s double, Kokkinakis revealed his partner had made himself unavailable for the international competition.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF;border: 0;border-radius: 3px;margin: 1px;max-width: 540px;min-width: 326px;padding: 0;width: calc(100% - 2px)" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CZWMgrGJVcX/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"><div style="padding: 16px"><div style="flex-direction: row;align-items: center"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;flex-grow: 0;height: 40px;margin-right: 14px;width: 40px"> </div><div style="flex-direction: column;flex-grow: 1;justify-content: center"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;margin-bottom: 6px;width: 100px"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;width: 60px"> </div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0"> </div><div style="height: 50px;margin: 0 auto 12px;width: 50px"> </div><div style="padding-top: 8px"><div style="color: #3897f0;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;font-style: normal;font-weight: 550;line-height: 18px">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0"> </div><div style="flex-direction: row;margin-bottom: 14px;align-items: center"><div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px;flex-grow: 0;margin-right: 14px;margin-left: 2px"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px"> </div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;flex-grow: 0;height: 20px;width: 20px"> </div><div style="width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 2px solid transparent;border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom: 2px solid transparent"> </div></div><div style="margin-left: auto"><div style="width: 0px;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right: 8px solid transparent"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;flex-grow: 0;height: 12px;width: 16px"> </div><div style="width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left: 8px solid transparent"> </div></div></div><div style="flex-direction: column;flex-grow: 1;justify-content: center;margin-bottom: 24px"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;margin-bottom: 6px;width: 224px"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;width: 144px"> </div></div><p style="color: #c9c8cd;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;line-height: 17px;margin-bottom: 0;margin-top: 8px;overflow: hidden;padding: 8px 0 7px;text-align: center"><a style="color: #c9c8cd;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;font-style: normal;font-weight: normal;line-height: 17px;text-decoration: none" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CZWMgrGJVcX/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Thanasi Kokkinakis (@the_kokk1)</a></p></div></blockquote><p dir="ltr">Kyrgios has also pulled out of the Delray Beach ATP Tour event in Florida, which kicks off next week, and his participation at ATP events at Acapulco, Mexico and Indian Wells, California are yet to be announced.</p><p dir="ltr">However, the 26-year-old appeared to be a glaring omission from the squad picked by Hewitt for Australia’s Davis Cup qualifying match against Hungary.</p><p dir="ltr">Instead, Kokkinakis was picked for the first time since 2015, along with Alex de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin, John Peers and Luke Saville.</p><p dir="ltr">Following reports that Kyrgios’ absence from the squad was a “snub” from Hewitt, Kokkinakis has said it was Kyrgios who turned down Hewitt’s offer.</p><p dir="ltr">“He definitely was asked to play,” Kokkinakis told <em>Sky News</em>.</p><p dir="ltr">“He has a few things on so he wasn’t able to play but he definitely didn’t get snubbed or anything - I saw those headlines and he didn’t get snubbed at all. Hopefully we can team up again in the future.”</p><p dir="ltr">Though Hewitt and Kyrgios have had a turbulent relationship in the past, it seems their rift has been mended, with Kokkinakis saying they now have a “good relationship”.</p><p dir="ltr">“I think Nick has shown he always loves playing for Australia. I’m not sure exactly what he has on, but he obviously has something pretty important,” he said.</p><p dir="ltr">“He’s obviously in our strongest team. He was definitely asked, and I think he and Lleyton have a good relationship, but he just wasn’t available for this time.”</p><p dir="ltr">At the time that the squad was announced, Hewitt had nothing but praise for Kokkinakis, who will have the chance to compete in both the singles and doubles after claiming his maiden ATP Tour singles title at the Adelaide International prior to his Australian Open win.</p><p dir="ltr">“Thanasi had a fantastic Australian summer,” Hewitt said.</p><p dir="ltr">“He really cemented himself as a top 100 player again, winning his first title at home in Adelaide and beating quality players. And then to go on to win the Australian Open doubles, this is going to give him a lot of confidence heading into this tie.”</p><p dir="ltr">Australia will qualify for the Davis Cup Finals, held at the end of the year, if the team defeats Hungary during their match in Sydney on March 4 and 5.</p><p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-bd09a179-7fff-c524-2344-03665999bc5d"></span></p><p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @k1ngkyrg1os (Instagram)</em></p>

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"Happy for you!": Federer's sweet message to Aussie tennis legend

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Emotions were high as injury-plagued Aussie tennis player Thanasi Kokkinakis claimed his first win at the Australian Open in six years.</p> <p>The 24-year-old was hit with glandular fever this time last year and has a long list of serious injury setbacks throughout his career which has stopped him from playing in the Australian Open.</p> <p>Kokkinakis was overwhelmed with the energy of the crowd as he dominated the match 6-4 6-1 6-1 against South Korea's Soonwoo Kwon.</p> <p>“At 5-0 (in the third set) I felt this massive roar and cheer from the crowd and I started tearing up,” Kokkinakis said.</p> <p>“It was a bit of a soft moment but there was just so much stuff behind the scenes to get back to that point that not a lot of people realise.</p> <p>“I definitely got a bit emotional. I had a lot of friends and family there watching. They probably made up about 90 per cent of the stands, so I’m appreciative of that.</p> <p>“Just playing with that energy and crowd and being able to win - there was so much work behind the scenes and so much pain - it’s just a massive relief.”</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLEhosIBetA/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLEhosIBetA/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Thanasi Kokkinakis (@the_kokk1)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The joy coming from Kokkinakis could be felt worldwide, as Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer extended his congratulations.</p> <p>Federer isn't playing in the tournament for family and injury reasons but was clearly following along at home.</p> <p>“Nice one Thanaser. Happy for you,” Federer wrote.</p> <p>Kokkinakis, who previously defeated Federer in 2018 at the Miami Masters in 2018, was thrilled with the message, sharing it on his Instagram story with the caption "What a king!".</p> <p>People were also delighted with Kokkinakis' outfit, which he said was a "Kmart special".</p> <p>“It’s a Kmart special. I went to Chadstone, bought some $6 tees and went to work,” he said.</p> <p>“I just felt comfortable in it. I tried to order some more online but they got cancelled and they didn’t make it through to South Yarra.”</p> </div> </div> </div>

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