Australian Open 2020: ‘Super pretty’ umpire Marijana Veljovic remains a mystery
She sent social media into meltdown for her sizzling on-court display this week - but what more do we know about the female chair umpire who shut down Roger Federer?
Aus Open
Don't miss out on the headlines from Aus Open. Followed categories will be added to My News.
She may have sent the social media world into meltdown but not a lot is known about glamorous chair umpire Marijana Veljovic.
Veljovic stole the show during Roger Federer’s quarter-final victory over Tennys Sandgren when she stared down the Swiss superstar after penalising him for swearing.
While the match ended up being one of Federer’s greatest escapes, the major talking point afterwards was Veljovic, who tennis star Genie Bouchard called “super pretty” on Twitter.
Watch over 50 sports LIVE on Kayo! Stream to your TV, mobile, tablet or computer. Just $25/month, cancel anytime. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Google searches spiked during the match as viewers desperately tried to find out more about the mystery brunette that was in the umpire chair.
It turns out she is very private with differing reports about her age and marital status. Some claim the Serbian is 38 and married but there is no evidence of who to.
There is also one biography on the internet which claims Veljovic’s favourite actor is Ryan Gosling, favourite actress is Emma Stone, her dream holiday destination is Bali and her favourite colour is black.
the umpire in this roger/tennys match is super pretty ðŸ˜
— Genie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) January 28, 2020
She also allegedly loves reading, watching movies and travelling.
In a rare interview with the International Tennis Federation, Veljovic spoke about how she got into umpiring when she was at university: “I thought it was a chance to earn pocket money and learn a bit more about tennis and look where I am today.
“My first pro match came at a $10,000 International Tennis Federation event at a very small place in the south of Serbia. I was very nervous.
“You know the rules, obviously, but it’s a different perspective when you sit there and you look on a tennis court from high up, the balls are flying and you are there in the middle of it.”
That was 13 years ago and her career highlights have included being in charge of the 2018 Australian Open women’s final and last year’s Wimbledon women’s final.
On Thursday, Veljovic was hidden away from the spotlight, officiating a mixed doubles match on Margaret Court Arena.
KENIN HITS JACKPOT
Fathers coaching daughters isn’t exactly breaking news on the tennis tour.
What is, however, remarkable is Australian Open finalist Sofia Kenin’s father, Alexander, arrived in New York City in 1987 from his native Moscow with his wife, Svetlana, and $US286 in his pocket.
On Saturday, the worst-case scenario for tenacious Russian-born American Kenin is walking out of Rod Laver Arena some $2.065 million richer.
A win for Kenin, a child tennis prodigy who drew comparisons to Maria Sharapova and traded volleys with Anna Kournikova, would see the rising star almost double her $2.95 million career earnings.
As much as the Kenins sacrificed to assist Sofia’s, who goes by the nickname ‘Sonya’, climb to the top echelon of women’s tennis, the 21-year-old has never been short of confidence.
As a plucky seven year-old giving an interview to the Tennis Channel, Kenin boldly declared she “could return his serve” when asked about then American ace Andy Roddick.
How would you return the serve the reporter asked?
“Turn around and hit my forehand with my short swing,” Kenin said.
Kenin’s win over Ash Barty did not go unnoticed from flame-server Roddick on Thursday, who took to Twitter shortly after the Australian Open upset.
“This girl has become the goods! Kick ass and bring home the title @SofiaKenin So cool,” Roddick posted.
This girl has become the goods! Kick ass and bring home the title @SofiaKenin So cool https://t.co/nlhMrIO3O8
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) January 30, 2020
NO REPLAY FOR BARTY
Ash Barty won’t be watching back her semi-final loss.
In fact the world No.1 never watches back any of her matches, even the good ones.
When asked if her team would debrief over the Kenin loss, Barty said: “No, mate. I haven’t watched a match that I’ve played for a long time.
“I haven’t watched any that I won, I haven’t watched any that I lost. We kind of learn from it.
‘I’ve lived through it, I played it, I know what happened. We chat about it, we learn, then we move on.”
WEDDING BELLS
We love a good marriage proposal, and it’s even better when it involves the Australian Open.
Serge Bayboru and partner Zehra Eymir first came to the tournament 10 years ago on their first date.
They have attended the quarter-finals the past three years and that continued on Wednesday night, but this time it came with a ring with Bayboru popping the question.
The proposal happened at Garden Square, with the moment beamed up on the big screen by Tennis Australia.
We’re reliably informed she said yes before the newly engaged couple enjoyed the clash between Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem.
GRAND
Talk about Aussie battlers making good. Wildcard doubles pair Luke Saville — the husband-to-be of Daria Gavrilova — and Max Purcell are through to the final and a shot at a life-changing cheque of $760,000.
Amazing result for @MaxPurcell98 and @LukeSaville18 - into the @AustralianOpen men's doubles final! #GoAussies #AusOpen https://t.co/znvCSghHj7
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) January 30, 2020
SLAM
Sorry Sofia Kenin. It has to be you. We love your competitiveness and spirit but you just ruined the Australian Open. In particular, we’re tipping the executives at Channel Nine are still in the coma position.
THE WHISPER
Did a long-time rivalry threaten to spill over when a player took exception to one of his former foes courtside commentary?