Weekend Tennis Roundup

Major events rarely turn out the way I want them to. This year's Australian Open was an exception. Keep reading BELOW.

It's no secret how dismayed I was by the way last year's Aussie Open played out. So I think my friend Greg put it best after Novak Djokovic dismantled Stefanos Tsitsipas to capture a record 10th title Down Under: "I don't know about you, but it feels like order and justice has been restored to men's tennis today."

The women's final was equally satisfying, but for different reasons. I can't remember a more high-quality match -- much less Grand Slam final -- in recent memory. Aryna Sabalenka had to dig very deep to outlast Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, in a line-painting, power-hitting battle for the ages. So great to see that Rybakina doesn't appear to be another fluke major winner. And even greater to see Aryna finally reach her full potential. 

Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler ended their fairytale run at the Australian Open in style Saturday when they defeated Hugo Nys and Jan Zielinski 6-4, 7-6(4) to capture their first Grand Slam title. Hard not to be happy for a couple of local wild cards ...

although the Monégasque/Polish team certainly won in the Sex Appeal Dept.

Defending champions Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova continued their exceptional Grand Slam winning streak in women’s doubles by capturing the 2023 Australian Open title in Rod Laver Arena on Sunday. No.1 seeds Krejcikova and Siniakova of the Czech Republic won their second straight title in Melbourne, and their seventh major title as a duo overall, by holding off No.10 seeds Shuko Aoyama and Ena Shibahara of Japan 6-4, 6-3.

Brazilians Rafael Matos and Luisa Stefani took home the mixed doubles trophy on Friday, with a 7-6(2), 6-2 final victory against the Indian pair of Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza, the later of whom is retiring soon. 

Matt Ebden confirms his model looks

I'm still hot for Nathaniel Lammons

Maxime Cressy 

I'm buying what John Millman is selling

McCoach David O'Hare with Joe Salisbury & Co.

Ben Shelton's secret weapon

Refer to my earlier comment about Hugo Nys

Just because Paula Badosa pulled out doesn't mean we can't perv on her boy toy

Another major semifinal for Karen

Alex Rybakov makes just about anything look sexy

Johnny calls it a tournament

Gym time with Marcel Granollers

Borna on blue

Adam Jones honors the master

Tim van Rijthoven

Daniel Masur is a winner

New crush: Nathan Ponwith

Hot couple alert

Team Britain is looking VERY good

J.J. Wolf had quite a time Down Under

Diego has good taste 

Robert Farah is an actual daddy now

How many majors will Novak Djokovic end up with? My friend Greg also said, "The fact that it should really be around 24-25 stings a little tho." I can't disagree. But as I've always said, I can live with his CHOOSING to miss as many U.S. Opens as he is dumb enough to miss. It's the bait-and-switch 2022 Australian Open that I believe forever tarnishes the record books.

Back on top, even without 2,000 Wimbledon points and missing the entire North American circuit