IMAGES from the French Open women's final played at Roland Garros on Saturday
The 23-year-old, who this week became the first Australian woman to reach the top of the rankings since 1976, must survive a rough-looking path if she is to claim back-to-back Grand Slams having won her first at this month's French Open.
The French Open will be able to welcome only 1,000 people a day, including players, staff and organisers, down from the 5,000 spectators it had hoped for,
Images from Day 9 of the 2022 Australian Open, at Melbourne Park, on Tuesday.
Three-time US Open champion Djokovic, who comes into the tournament having won his fifth Wimbledon title, is followed in the seedings by 2017 winner Rafael Nadal.
If he does manage to beat Novak Djokovic or Cam Norrie in Sunday's final, it may be that winning the most prestigious title in tennis will wash away all his previous sins in the eyes of his compatriots.
American Serena Williams has also said that the dropouts will not take the shine off a potential record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title for her.
Dowse said that the women's competition will see 10 former Grand Slam champions, including 23-time major winner Serena Williams, along with 81 of the top 100. In the men's event, seven of the world top ten are competing.
Djokovic will need to win in Tokyo and then the US Open later this year to achieve the feat that has so far only been accomplished by Steffi Graf in 1988.
Danielle Collins spoke of the challenges of plotting matches without a coach but will still head off with lessons learnt.
Poland's Iga Swiatek will take over the world number one ranking in style after keeping her remarkable winning run intact with a 6-4, 6-0 win over Japan's Naomi Osaka in the Miami Open final on Saturday.
Naomi Osaka settled her nerves and stepped up her preparations for the Australian Open by beating Alize Cornet 6-2, 6-2 to reach the last 16 of the Gippsland Trophy warm-up tournament in Melbourne on Tuesday.
"For me, right now I have this feeling of sadness," said Osaka.
Images from Day 3 of the 2022 Australian Open in Melbourne on Wednesday.
Naomi Osaka faces Zheng before possible meeting with Coco Gauff
World number one Naomi Osaka will "probably" defend her US Open title, even if it means defying her doctor's orders.
"(Novak) has said that he views this as a private matter for him. We would love to see Novak here, he knows that he'll have to be vaccinated to play here."
Images from Day 1 of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Monday.
'I think it's (pressure) maybe because I haven't played in an Olympics before and for the first one to be here was a bit much.'
A look at the top women's contenders at the 2020 French Open.
Serena Williams, who has a history of blood clots and pulmonary embolisms, said she has concerns over travelling to New York and is living in a rented house instead of the official players' hotel as a precaution.
Novak Djokovic will begin his Australian Open title defence against Frenchman Jeremy Chardy, while reigning women's champion Sofia Kenin meets wild card Maddison Inglis, following the draw for the year's first Grand Slam on Friday.
Eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer, who turns 40 this year, takes on Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in round one.
Opportunity knocks for Serena Williams on the grass courts of Wimbledon next week when she faces a diminished field on her best surface at the famous All England Club.
This year's Australian Open will be allowed to admit up to 30,000 fans a day, around 50% of usual capacity, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley confirmed on Wednesday that the 2008 champion will receive a wildcard entry into the main singles draw for the tournament, which starts in Melbourne on January 20.
The Miami Open, which brings together the top men's and women's tennis players in the world, will carry on as scheduled in two weeks' time despite concerns about coronavirus, tournament organisers said on Monday. The status of the two-week tournament featuring players from over 40 countries comes a day after the prestigious Indian Wells event was called off at the last minute because of concerns about the spread of coronavirus in Southern California.
Osaka was fined $15,000 for skipping her news conference after her first round win and was warned of possible expulsion from Roland Garros
Serena Williams was the runner-up in Flushing Meadows each of the past two years
Gauff vows to be more aggressive in Osaka showdown
Images from Monday's action at the Australian Open.
Australia's Nick Kyrgios said on Thursday he is unlikely to play at the French Open due to concerns about COVID-19. Kyrgios, who on Sunday announced his withdrawal from the US Open, told Australian television he plans to wait until it is safer to return to the tour.
World number seven Alexander Zverev has said he is still unsure about travelling to New York amid the COVID-19 pandemic to play in the US Open. Women's world number one Ash Barty and her fellow Australian Nick Kyrgios have said they are skipping the hardcourt Grand Slam, which starts on August 31 and will be played without spectators in a bio-secure 'bubble'.
'But I'm sitting out for the people, for my Aussies, for the hundreds and thousands of Americans that have lost their lives, for all of you. It's my decision.'
According to the trophy, though, there was also an Australian champion in 1976.
Britain's Andy Murray expects some of the top male players to follow women's world number one Ash Barty in skipping next month's US Open in New York due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. Australian Barty said on Thursday she is not comfortable travelling to the United States amid the pandemic for the hardcourt Grand Slam, which begins on August 31.
Top seed Ash Barty rallied from a set down to power into the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Masters on Friday.
A round-up of all tennis action on Saturday.
Serena will not be in the US team for the Tokyo Olympics
Images from Day 1 of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Monday.
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