Australian tennis ace Daria Gavrilova is ready to play after enduring Melbourne’s lockdown

Daria Gavrilova lived through two Melbourne lockdowns and one-hour daily exercise limits last year with the rest of us— now she’s excited to play in the Aus Open.

Aussie player Daria Gavrilova is excited to be playing at the Australian Open, after enduring Melbourne’s tough lockdowns last year. Picture: Supplied.

Daria Gavrilova says it still feels surreal the Australian Open is happening.

On the comeback trail from a disappointing multi-year run with various foot-related injuries, Gavrilova spent most of 2020 here in lockdown.

“I’ve been in Melbourne throughout the whole lockdown and been stuck at home and only being able to exercise one hour a day,’’ she said.

“It’s been tough and it feels just surreal that it’s all happening. I was like wow, even til the last minute, even with the quarantine I was like ‘this is not good’, but it’s exciting.

“It feels a bit surreal that it’s all happening. It’s been a long year.”

Wildcard Gavrilova will start her grand slam campaign on Tuesday against Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo.

Daria Gavrilova. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images.

Daria Gavrilova played Serena Williams this week. Picture: Michael Klein

She had a promising lead-in and pushed champion Serena Williams in their match during the week.

The result was an emphatic reminder that the 26-year-old, once a member of the top 20, is on the way back and returning to her peak years in 2016 and 2017— when she twice made the last 16 at the Australian Open.

“Yes I’m pretty excited. The work has been done, I played well last week and I’m pretty excited for AO,’’ she said.

“(Sorribes Tormo) she’s a tough player, she’s improved out of sight since we last played and I have a lot of respect for her because she makes everyone’s life hard.”

Gavrilova says it’s been nice seeing her face around Melbourne Park as ambassador of Bondi Sands, who are now official sunscreen partner of the Australian Open.

“I’m pretty proud to be associated with them and it’s really cool seeing my face at the tennis and at their stand,’’ she said.

“They’re known more for tanning but it’s important to use sunscreen especially on the tennis court. I’m into skin care and things like that so it’s really exciting.”

Gavrilova said it gives all the Australian players a lift that Ash Barty is world no.1.

“For sure it’s exciting and it’s good to see her playing again,’’ she said.

“She’s in good form and she’s great for tennis in Australia.”