Recap the weirdest exchanges between players and the media at the Australian Open

PLAYERS aren’t the only ones who make unforced errors at the Australian Open. There were plenty that came from the press box too. But what were the most bizarre exchanges? Recap all the awkwardness here.

Maria Sharapova made her return to Melbourne Park. Picture: AFP Photo

INTERVIEWS, interviews and more interviews.

Outside of actually playing tennis, interviews are usually the order of the day for most players at the Australian Open.

For many, there will be a pre-match chat to TV, post-match catch-up on court and then a final press conference with the waiting pack of journalists.

And while some players let the unforced errors flow on the court, there have been more than a few clangers made in the press box over the past two weeks.

JELENA DOKIC: IS TENNIS BORING WITHOUT SERENA?

JELENA DOKIC: WHY SHARAPOVA HAS NO FRIENDS

JELENA DOKIC: MY TIME IN TENNIS

JELENA DOKIC: WHY AUSTRALIA MUST GET BEHIND NICK

From questions about famous friends, to mixing up results and leaving players utterly clueless, check out the bizarre, awkward and comical exchanges between players and the media at the Australian Open.

NICK KYRGIOS

Nick Kyrgios’ profile is growing at such a rapid rate, he is forming high profile friendships he doesn’t even know about.

Luckily, a reporter was on hand to fill Nick in on the details of his close bond with American NFL player Colin Kaepernick.

Question:

You’re friends with the American football player Colin Kaepernick, have been supportive of him in the past. What are your thoughts on him not being re-signed by an American (football team)?

Answer:

I don’t think I’ve ever spoken a word to him in my life. I mean, where is that question even coming from? We’re at the Australian Open, man. Are we done?

Nick Kyrgios got a seriously weird question. Picture: AP Photo

HYEON CHUNG

He’d just enjoyed the biggest win of his career, beating his childhood hero Novak Djokovic in the third round, but Hyeon Chung’s press conference took a bizarre turn on only the second question.

It wasn’t long before an ATP Tour moderator had to step in to get things back on track.

Question:

South Korea and North Korea will be going into the Olympic Games together. What does that mean to you and your country?

Answer:

I think it’s a good question, but I don’t know. I’m just playing tennis, so I can’t say anything about this.

Question:

You cannot say anything because you think (it) is a political issue you don’t want to talk about or because you don’t have any opinion on that?

ATP moderator:

Next question, please.

Everyone wanted to speak to Hyeon Chung during the Australian Open. Picture: AFP PHOTO

SLOANE STEPHENS

Being on a losing streak is never an easy thing to deal with, especially when you’re a grand slam champion.

Just ask American Sloane Stephens who has just about had enough of being asked when she will win her next match.

Question:

So is it very annoying to come now to this press conference after eight defeats in a row and everybody asking you ...

Answer:

Thanks for putting the emphasis on the eight defeats. That’s really cool.

Sloane Stephens made an early exit from the Australian Open. Picture: Getty Images

DARIA GAVRILOVA

It may have been her home grand slam, but not everyone has been following Daria Gavrilova’s progress throughout the past year.

Ahead of her second-round match against Elise Mertens, Dasha was asked about preparing for the match-up against a player she had recently “lost” to.

Question:

You lost to her in Perth. What do you have to do differently this time?

Answer:

I didn’t lose to her in Perth. Haven’t played her there. Played a really tight match at Roland Garros.

Question:

This surface would favour you (more) than playing on the clay, I suppose?

Answer:

Clay is my favourite surface. You’re doing well.

Daria Gavrilova was knocked out in the second round of the Australian Open. Picture: AP Photo

JOHANNA KONTA

When a player has had a long match, they usually don’t want to spend too much time in the interview room.

As this reporter found out with Johanna Konta, it is important to actually make sure you’re asking a question.

Question:

Do you think it’s an important part of the heritage of women’s tennis that there have been so many pioneers, risk takers, not just Billie Jean but, oh, I don’t know, Althea, Venus, Martina, Shahar Peer, many others, who have really been risk takers for athletes and have spoken out?

Answer:

What’s the question?

MARIN CILIC

He has had a stunning run through the tournament but when it comes to elaborating on the weather, Marin Cilic needs a little work.

Question:

Can you tell us what happened in the second set when the ball boys came on with the towels?

Answer:

It started to rain.

Question.

It was seriously wet, was it?

Answer:

Yes.

Marin Cilic is no weather expert. Picture: AFL Photo

He wasn’t the only one who wasn’t a big fan of questions about conditions.

ROGER FEDERER

Question:

What is the biggest difference between playing in the day and playing at night for you?

Answer:

That there is a difference. That’s basically it.

MARIA SHARAPOVA

Following her first match at Melbourne Park since her drug suspension, everyone wanted a word with Maria Sharapova. She was greeted by a packed interview room, with questions about her ban, first win back and attending the Australian Open draw ceremony just a few of the hot topics. However, this wasn’t as hot.

Question:

Outside of tennis, your brand, Sugarpova, has been working with Alibaba in China. Tell us a little bit about Sugarpova?

Answer:

It hasn’t been, has it? How have we been working together? We’re working on it. Yeah, not yet.

Maria Sharapova made her return to Melbourne Park. Picture: Michael Klein

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI

Things got a little personal during Caroline Wozniacki’s press conference after her win against Magdaléna Rybáriková.

Usually questions about parenthood are reserved for pesky in-laws and family members.

But this reporter dived straight in.

Question:

You don’t have to answer this, but last year the winner of this tournament won it while she was pregnant. Kim (Clijsters) was just mentioned, who has had children. Do you reflect on becoming a mum someday? Is that something that’s active in your mind? Do you put it off for a future date?

Answer

I mean, if you’re asking me if I want to be become a mum right now, I’d say no. I’m still here. But obviously, yeah, I think that’s something I’ve always wanted. I think it’s definitely something that I see in the future, no doubt about it.

ROGER FEDERER (again)

Federer, who most would say is the king of the post-match interview, had the crowd in stitches after this exchange with Jim Courier.

Question:

It is almost 5:45pm. You will have press conferences, massage and all that stuff but you actually get a night off here. Is that dinner and dancing with Mirka? What is the game plan for tonight?

Answer:

(We’ll) probably be busy until about 9pm. We might go out for a nice dinner if she’s in the mood ... but she has left already so she has other plans.

Jim Courier interviews Roger Federer at the Australian Open. Picture: Getty Images

TOMAS BERDYCH

Few predicted the name Marton Fucsovics would be appearing in the fourth round of the Australian Open.

While he had done well to make it that far, Tomas Berdych didn’t give him much chance of getting through his clash with Roger Federer.

Question:

Your next opponent will come from the match next on Rod Laver Arena, Marton Fucsovics or Roger Federer.

Answer:

I like your optimism.

SU-WEI HSIEH

Su-Wei Hsieh has her own style on the court and she has her own style in the interview room.

Question:

Did you have a specific plan to play her (Angelique Kerber) or were you just playing your own game and freestyling?

Answer:

I don’t have a plan. Actually, my boyfriend was looking (at) her game earlier this morning. I forgot to ask him (how) she plays, so, I actually have no plan to go on the court. So I was try to still (play) my Su-Wei style, you know?

Hsieh Su-Wei kept everyone guessing in her post match interview. Picture: AFP Photo

NICK KYRGIOS

Plenty has been written about the change in attitude from Nick Kyrgios this Australian Open. But the man of the moment wasn’t too concerned about buying into the hype.

Question:

A writer recently said that whatever you say about Nick, he’s true to himself. He has an authenticity. Does that ring true to you? Is that something you’re satisfied with and proud of?

Answer:

I don’t really care, to be honest. I just do my thing.

TENNYS SANDGREN

Much was made of Tennys Sandgren’s post-match press conferences this week and you can catch up on the whole extra level of bizarre here.

But it was the final question of his final interview that may have been the weirdest.

Question:

Being myself a foreigner, I find it difficult to follow all what you say because you talk so fast.

Answer:

Sorry.

Tennys Sandgren had an interesting Australian Open. Picture: AAP Images

ROGER FEDERER (one last time)

As usual, it was Roger Federer who summed it up best after a long, long career of answering plenty of strange questions.

Question:

Since you turned pro, you’ve done something like three thousand on-court interviews after matches.

How do you keep up your interest, your enthusiasm for it?

Answer:

I don’t know. I don’t know how I do it.

We don’t know how you do it either, Roger.