Australian Open 2020: John Tomic punch victim inspired Serena’s downfall
The bloke assaulted by John Tomic and a late Australian tennis icon have emerged as the influential figures behind Serena conqueror Qiang Wang’s stunning emergence.
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Thomas Drouet and late Australian great Peter McNamara have emerged as two of the major influences behind Qiang Wang’s stunning emergence.
Qiang, 28, ended Serena Williams’ hopes of equalling Margaret Court’s grand slam record at Melbourne Park with a spectacular third-round win.
Drouet, the French coach assaulted by John Tomic in Madrid in 2013, took over as Qiang’s coach last year when former world No.7 McNamara fell terminally ill.
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When McNamara stepped away from the circuit before his death in July after a long battle with cancer, Drouet replaced the Victorian.
Drouet has compared Qiang to Rafael Nadal because of her power and tenacity.
The Frenchman previously worked with Timea Babos, earning a nomination as WTA coach of the year.
McNamara remains one of the most revered figures in Australian tennis with several of his former Davis Cup teammates gathering over the Australian Open fortnight to celebrate his life and legacy.
Wang also credits a brutal gym regime and her demolition at the hands of Williams at the US Open in September for the inspired victory.
“I always believe I can do this one day,” she said.
“But I don’t know which day, but it has come today.
“I really happy to see it happen. I did really hard work in the off-season, so it (has paid off).”
Wang said she had been overwhelmed by Williams’ power last time they met, prompting her move to hit the gym “really, really much”.
And it worked, with the two-time WTA title winner matching Williams’ key weapon.
“I think it has worked,” Wang said.
“You can see the result, it’s worked.
“I think I have more power than last year.”
BARTY ROASTS COACH IN ‘ABSOLUTE STITCH-UP’
After making light work of Elena Rybakina to march into the fourth round, Ash Barty then turned the blowtorch on her own team.
Barty, a keen AFL fan, can often be seen warming up for her matches by kicking a footy around – as was the case in the bowels of Rod Laver Arena on Friday morning.
So when it was put to her during her on-court interview who was the best in her camp to have a pre-match kick with, she immediately sensed a set-up.
And like a tasty volley, she wasted no time in feasting upon the question – taking the opportunity to demolish her strength and conditioning coach Mark Taylor in the process.
“This is an absolute stitch-up for Tubs (Taylor) right now,” Barty explained.
“My strength and conditioning trainer cannot catch a ball to save himself so we just keep drilling him every single day. It’s the highlight of my day, every day.
“Sorry Tubs.”
Originally published as Australian Open 2020: John Tomic punch victim inspired Serena’s downfall