There has been plenty of focus throughout this year's Australian Open on the fashion choices and clothing design of the players. Most players aren't too fussed about what most journalists have to say about their choice of attire, but not Victoria Azarenka.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After toppling Caroline Wozniacki in the second round, the Belarusian turned her press conference into a fashion debate, interrupting a question from a American male journalist to seek his opinion on the fashion at this year's Open. Here's how it went down:
Azarenka: I missed you so much. You didn't come to my last press conference. I have a question for you.
Journalist: You have a question for me?
Azarenka: Yes. Over the last couple years you had a lot of comments on fashion. I wanted to hear your thoughts because you haven't tweeted about it.
Journalist: About your outfit?
Azarenka: Everybody's. You have fashion sense, so I'm curious.
Journalist: I like Serena's the most this year. I think she won this tournament fashion-wise.
Azarenka: Perfect, OK.
Journalist: Maria's [Sharapova] is good. I like yours. The long sleeves I'm not so sure about.
Azarenka: You think I should take off the long sleeves?
Journalist: It's up to you.
Azarenka: But fashion advice.
Journalist: It's a lot of one colour.
Azarenka: A lot of yellow colour. I appreciate it.
Djokovic reaches into history for son's name
One of Novak Djokovic's idols growing up was Stefan Edberg, the coach of Roger Federer and the rival of Djokovic's coach Boris Becker. So, when he and his wife Jelena named their first son Stefan in October last year, many believed it was because of his admiration for Edberg. But that's not the case. "I didn't name my son by Stefan Edberg, if you refer to that," Djokovic said when asked about it in the press conference on Thursday.
The reason behind the naming of Stefan is because it's actually a popular name for the royals of Djokovic's native Serbia. Stefan Nemanja was the grand prince of Serb state Rascia, who reigned from 1166 to 1196. The name has since been passed down from generation to generation.
Coco on Zen and the art of coaching
Coco Vandeweghe, the American who bundled Sam Stosur out of the second round, has been trying to improve her mental capacity by reading the views and opinions of legendary NBA coach Phil Jackson. Vandeweghe said she had plenty of respect for the 11-time championship winning coach, who is now president of the struggling New York Knicks.
"Well, currently Phil Jackson is coaching my favourite basketball team, the Knicks, not coaching, but somewhat coaching," she said. "I enjoy reading other people's thoughts, especially great coaches like Phil Jackson who has not only been called the Zen master but also has shown that he can produce time and time again with different groups of players, different mindsets from each of them.
"Basketball is not a singular sport. There's how many people on a roster, 15 or so on a roster, 12. Whatever. That's 12 people you have to manage. To be able to do that for multiple seasons, to claim a championship out of that, that's something that is hard to replicate."
Smear of Vegemite
Back to Azarenka, and for someone who has had plenty of success in Australia, she still has quite a bit to learn about Aussie culture. The two-time Australian Open champion was asked if she liked Vegemite. If it wasn't bad enough she said no, she also was unaware of its connection to Australia.
"I actually don't like Vegemite," she said. "It's probably one of the things. But does it really relate to Australia, Vegemite?"
Lights out on Nick's legs
Nick Kyrgios left the court early on in his match against Ivo Karlovic in the second round to change his socks, not comfortable in Nike's new range of fluorescent socks. He returned in a pair of black socks, and was again sporting the black socks in the doubles with Thanasi Kokkinakis on Thursday. Whatever works for you, Nick.
Fans pack stands for Australians' day
A crowd record for the first Thursday night of the Australian Open was set this week. With Lleyton Hewitt and Sam Stosur the main attractions, 24,821 fans entered Melbourne Park, eclipsing the previous best record for the corresponding session of 21,053, set in 2012.
Ryan Corr squeezes in
Spotted: Former Packed to the Rafters actor Ryan Corr, who played the role of Coby Jennings, at Rod Laver Arena on Friday night.
