Australian Open 2022: Craig Tiley makes call on future, refuses to address key Djokovic question
Australian Open boss Craig Tiley has made a defiant call on his future but refused to address the giant elephant in the room.
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Australian Open boss Craig Tiley has declared he “absolutely, absolutely” intends to be at the helm of next year’s tournament.
Tiley, who was embroiled in the Novak Djokovic visa fiasco in the lead-up to this year’s major, prompting calls for him to consider his position as Tennis Australia chief executive and Australian Open tournament director.
He said that the final weekend of the event which saw local world No. 1 Ash Barty and Spanish star Rafael Nadal crowned as singles champions and Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis claiming the men’s doubles had only spurred his ambition to remain in his role.
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“This weekend probably defines (why I want to stay),” Tiley said.
“The performance of the players, the performance of our staff, the interest of the fans. I think that we will define the Australian Open on the success we’ve had in the past two weeks.”
The tournament saw a huge boost in younger crowds, as “the confidence of everyone grew” and crowds increased as the tournament went on.
A comprehensive review of the tournament – including the Djokovic saga – will be completed in coming months.
Tiley refused to be drawn on whether Djokovic would be at next year’s tournament, saying that the landscape is far too difficult to predict.
“We are thinking well ahead … one thing we don’t know is where we’re going to be with Covid,” he said.
“We have to continually make adjustments in managing the virus.
“As far as thinking about 2023, every day we do that. A year’s time is a long time away, and I can’t guarantee which players are going to be here and which players are not.”
Nadal, who made a beeline for Tiley immediately courtside after defeating Daniil Medvedev on Sunday night, described him as “an amazing tournament director”.
“I know he went through some very hard times this year,” Nadal said.
“He was there, always supporting the tennis, supporting the players and thinking about what’s the best for the sport and doing it in a very healthy way.
“I really believe that Craig is a great person and very important ambassador for the Australian Open.
“From the player’s perspective, the support that we received from Tennis Australia is just unbelievable, so we can’t thank enough him, and Tennis Australia generally.”
TENNIS HEAVYWEIGHTS BACKS TA BOSS
The best players on the planet want Tennis Australia to back in Craig Tiley, the man who started the Australian Open in the gun and finished it in a blaze of glory.
Champion Rafael Nadal, who won a record 21st grand slam past 1am on Monday morning, embraced Tiley in a hug only moments after putting Daniil Medvedev away in a five-set epic.
The 2-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 7-5 marathon lasted five hours and 24 minutes, making it the second-longest final in grand slam history.
That capped a magical fortnight at Melbourne Park as Ash Barty broke a 44-year local drought, the Special Ks (Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis) put men’s doubles on the map and Nadal achieved an unforgettable piece of history by surpassing Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer (20 slams).
Medvedev called for Tiley, the 60-year-old chief executive at Tennis Australia, to remain part of the furniture at Melbourne Park for his entire career.
“I want to thank Tennis Australia, especially Craig,” Medvedev said.
“Tournament director is a tough job and I think this year, I don’t know, you will tell me if it was the toughest in your career.
“But I think you are an amazing tournament director and I hope you stay for at least 15 years that I am here, maybe 10 years that I am here.
“Maybe 10 years and then go.”
Legend Jim Courier declared the 2022 edition of the Australian Open was one of the best of all time – a remarkable turnaround after unvaccinated world No.1 Novak Djokovic was deported in disgrace by the Federal Government.
“Thanks so much for Tennis Australia,” Nadal said.
“It has been very tough times to organise tennis tournaments, but last two years especially you have been doing an amazing job, Craig.
“I know how tough it was for you and for all of your team, but you are great. You always have been supporting the players and the tennis in general, so I wish you all the very best.”
But the Djokovic bungle still has several unanswered questions and both Tiley and Tennis Australia chair Jayne Hrdlicka have barely said a word since the world No.1’s visa was cancelled for a second time.
Tiley was booed by fans when he finally popped his head up in week one to present retiring Aussie Sam Stosur with a gift on the court after the final match of her career.
While player power will help Tiley, Tennis Australia has committed to a full-scale review of the AO which will determine what errors were made in the Djokovic saga.
TOUCHING BARTY MOMENT AUS OPEN GOT SO RIGHT
It was only fitting that guts and determination and a stunning comeback would be the theme of Ash Barty’s drought-breaking Australian Open victory.
As a nation collectively held its breath, the world No.1 showed why she is the most dominant force in women’s tennis, finding a way to overcome feisty American Danielle Collins 6-3 7-6 (2).
Barty was dead and buried in the second set down 1-5 but the Queenslander wouldn’t lie down. Instead she found a way to claw back before racing through the tie-break to put to bed 44 years of local heartache at the Open.
The normally reserved Barty let out a gut-wrenching scream as she sent another booming cross-court forehand past Collins to claim her third grand slam title after 87 absorbing minutes on Rod Laver Arena.
Just like Cathy Freeman did at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Barty, 25, embraced the enormous pressure and expectation, turning it into a career-defining performance.
After a torrid couple of weeks for Tennis Australia, they pulled an ace out of the pack when Barty’s hero Evonne Goolagong Cawley - a four time Australian Open winner - made a surprise appearance at the trophy presentation.
“Hell of a surprise,” Barty said of Goolagong Cawley’s appearance. “I do not quite know how Craig kept that secret. I am really glad I did not know. I think I would have been under the pump, feeling it.
“Danielle is an exceptional competitor forcing me to bring my best when my back was against the wall ... happy to be able to come through and to see Evonne Goolagong, I have not seen since this time last year so we have a few more hugs to celebrate. Unbelievable.”
It brought a tear to the eye of the new champion who had earlier emotionally embraced her former doubles partner Casey Dellacqua who was working courtside for Channel 9.
“I am a little stumped here,” was Barty’s first words before she thanked Collins and the tournament organiser.
It was then that she turned to her team in the crowd where her parents and sisters were sitting after flying down from Brisbane on Saturday.
“To my team, Wow, I’ve said numerous times I am so lucky to have you. I said numerous times that I am so lucky tonight to have so many people here that love me, support me,” she said.
“It’s pretty bloody special that mum and dad and my sisters are here and I’m so happy they could be here today.
“I am an incredibly fortunate and lucky girl to have so much love in my corner. We started together right from the start in the second part of our career. We did it all together. Nobody has changed from a team, I love you guys to death and you are the best in the business.
“I mean, this is just a dream come true for me. I am so proud to be an Aussie.”
Barty said she was as shocked as everyone with her emotional roar on match point.
“I kind of do not realise I did it. It just kind of came out,” she said. “The whole week I have felt quite reserved on court just because for the last two weeks I have been trying to be process-oriented. Unreal. That is not me. Anyway.”
She admitted it was probably a good thing she didn’t know Goolagong-Cawley was going to present the winning trophy and that another hero, Cathy Freeman, was in the crowd.
“It was a hell of a surprise. I do not quite know how (TA boss) Craig (Tiley) kept that secret. I am really glad I did not know. I think I would have been under the pump, feeling it.
“Looking up at the end to see Cathy, she is an inspiration, and inspiration to so many people all around the globe. For our heritage and family, she is just the best.
“To share that tonight with Evonne Goolagong and Cathy, I will never forget it.”
🖤💛â¤ï¸@CathyFreeman • @ashbarty • #AusOpen • #AO2022pic.twitter.com/MlbEmzMKVs
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2022
🇦🇺 Legends 🇦🇺#AusOpen • #AO2022pic.twitter.com/owg0SzcFJj
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2022
On her long-time coach Craig Tyzzer, Barty said: “I trust Tyzzer with my life. Not just the tennis coach to me. He has been a mentor setting the example.
“He is the best coach in the world without a doubt, the way he has been able to give things to me makes it clear for me to then go out and try to do what I do.”
MELBOURNE MASSACRE: The primeval roar of champion Ash Barty
The final didn’t follow the script which had been in place for the previous six matches at this year’s Open.
Barty had barely got out of second gear on her way to the final, not dropping a set and only losing one service game for the entire tournament.
But after a subdued start, Collins fed off the emotion generated by the pro-Barty crowd to stun the locals by dominating the early part of the second set.
The 27th seed raced to a 5-1 lead, constantly pumping herself by shouting to the crowd whereas Barty again showed no emotion.
But there is a reason the Australian has been the world’s best player for the past three years. She doesn’t give up.
While all of the momentum was with her opponent, Barty turned to being a problem-solver and started to turn the screws again.
It rattled Collins who started complaining about the crowd noise during points and before she knew it the set was back to 5-5.
Then once the match went to a tie-break, Barty was rolling and there would be no stopping her.
All tournament she has talked about her process. At every possible interview she has constantly spoken about the process, sticking to it, executing it and trusting it.
And much like the great Serena Williams did during her dominant run, her opponents can’t find enough answers to the process given it is such a consistent high standard coming from the other side of the net.
To her credit Collins had more moments than most.
The turning point in the opening half-an-hour came when Collins had the first break point of the match in the fifth game and even had a look at a second serve but Barty ripped a forehand down the line to snuff that out.
She then served an ace on the next point to set up a hold. That was the last time Collins had a sniff.
The very next game Barty broke with a demoralising double-fault from the American handing over the advantage which Barty gleefully took and ran away, taking the opening set in 32 minutes.
It was a completely different story for most of the second set before the best player on the planet found a way to write her name into the history books again.
Barty is now only one major away from the career grand slam with the US Open the only trophy missing from her trophy cabinet which houses the 2019 French Open and 2021 Wimbledon silverware.
Importantly she now has her name alongside her Goolagong-Cawley’s on the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.
And in a wonderful touch Chris O’Neil, the woman who has carried around the “last Australian winner” tag since 1978, was also part of the trophy presentation.
The $2.875 million winner’s cheque pushes the Queenslander’s career earnings over $33.5 million.
Collins, 28, whose previous best major result was making the semi-finals at the Australian Open in 2019, was the fourth consecutive American Barty has beaten on her championship winning run.
While her debut grand slam final didn’t go according to plan, Collins’ career turnaround after major injuries has been one of the success stories of the past 12 months on the WTA Tour.
Her previous career high ranking was 23 but she is now likely to break into the top 10.
THE MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
1. Barty’s opening game: It might not seem like a big moment, considering the Aussie ace has dropped just one service game all tournament, but this was an important one. In front of a packed house at Rod Laver Arena, the mood was upbeat but tense. A confident start was essential, and Barty rolled through it in two minutes to settle the nerves – both her own and the crowd’s.
2. The first break: Back-to-back big moments as Barty saves break point on her serve before gathering composure during the change of ends and coming out on the attack against Collins. A forehand winner sets up break point, before Collins’ serve lets her down in a moment of need: a double fault gifting Barty the crucial first-set break. The world No.1 backs it up with a comfortable hold of her own to suddenly be a game away from taking the first set.
3. Collins gets going: After claiming the first set 6-3, the start to the second is a disaster for Barty who – for just the second time all tournament – has her serve broken. Collins is redlining early in the second set, hammering winners as Barty falls behind 0-3. Collins directs a big first-pump and a scream to support crew. A second break, complete with two double faults, seems to all-but seal the second set for Collins.
4. Barty comeback: Up 5-1, Collins twice serves for the second set – only to be denied by Barty, who produces some elite defensive tennis to apply pressure on the American. The crowd has its say, too – with Collins complaining to the chair umpire about noise during play before giving away the second break with a pair of unforced errors. Barty rattles off four straight games to roar back and level the second set at 5-5.
5. The overhead smash: Barty takes the sting out of the most nerve-wracking of experiences – a tiebreak with a grand slam title at the other end – with a glorious start, racing to a 4-0 lead. The best of them? The fourth point, where Barty drags her opponent all across the court before hammering home an overhead winner… her maiden Australian Open title arriving just five points later.
SECOND SET
TIE-BREAK
BARTY 7-2 COLLINS
BARTY* 6-3, 6-6 COLLINS
Everyone except Ash Barty appears to have been panicking. My watch is telling me to calm down based on my heart rate. this is nuts.
Ash? Cool as a cucumber, not even sweating it seems.
We go to a tie-break. Tis is an insane turn of events. let me remind you, Ash was 1-5 down about 25 minutes ago.
NUTS.
BARTY* 6-3, 4-5 COLLINS
Officially the longest match Barty has played this tournament and boy is she putting up a fight right now. Holding on for dear life and refusing to give up this set.
Barty holds to pull things back to 3-5, does she have another break in her?
SHE DOES! WE ARE BACK ON SERVE ASH BARTY YOU BEAUTY!
BARTY 6-3, 2-5 COLLINS*
There’s one thing you don’t want to do to Danielle Collins, and that is make her mad. She thrives on it.
And the crowd are playing into the American’s game.
“She’s like Medvedev, it’s very dangerous when she gets like that,” says Jelena Dokic.
“After she missed her first serve, someone in the crowd said, “That missed two metres” She fist pumped back at him when she won the next point,” Casey Dellacqua said.
“She gave it right back to him when she won a point. I wouldn’t want to get Collins too fired up.”
Indeed, Barty in real trouble now as Collins takes the double break.
BARTY BREAKS BACK
BARTY 6-3, 1-4 COLLINS*
Approaching the 55 minute mark and, while normally Ash Barty would be just about closing out a match and heading to the ice bath at this point, she is staring down a fairly extended amount of time left on court.
Settle in gang, we’re going the distance it seems.
BARTY 6-3, 0-3 COLLINS*
Two break opportunities immediately for Ash, the first is saved but she blows them both, sorry but sloppy returns particularly on the second. Up at the net and the backhand volley goes way overs. The pendulum swings back to Collins and she now has the chance to hold and take a significant lead.
AND SHE HOLDS
From our man Joe Barton courtside
For just the second time all tournament, Ash Barty has been broken – and it leaves her in a bit of a hole to start the second set.
She quickly falls behind 15-30 after firing a forehand wide, and Collins gives her box a fist-pump. She knows how big this moment can be.
She hammers Barty’s next serve with a terrific deep return which the Australia pumps into the net for double break point.
Barty pulls out a clutch second-serve ace down the T - that’s confidence – before Collins’ powerhitting groundstrokes deliver a simple overhead smash to take an early 2-0 lead in the second set.
She responds as you’d expect – with a big scream of approval at her box.
BARTY 6-3, 0-2 COLLINS*
So just 32 minutes for that opening set which Sam Smith summed up as:” It looked like it went perfectly to plan.”
Better start from Collins here holding to love.
And another turn against the run of play, Barty suddenly finds herself 15-40 down on serve and a well timed ace from the Ausie to save the first but she can’t save the second.
Here comes DAN-YELL Collins, she is fired up!
FIRST SET Barty 6-3 Collins
From Joe Barton courtside:
The first set goes to Ashleigh Barty in just over half an hour, sealed with her fifth ace of the match.
She’s one set away from becoming the first homegrown Australian Open women’s champion in 44 years, and she’s doing it in style.
Barty faced just one break point, saved it, and then immediately broke her American rival to take the decisive game.
It’s been a slightly nervy match at times for the world No.1, who has made nine unforced errors – more than Danielle Collins’ eight – but is riding her flawless service game.
Five aces to Collins’ one is a decisive factor, but not as much as Collins’ vital double faults… one of which saw her cough up the all-important break.
BARTY* 6-2 COLLINS
While I’m sitting here saying how solid Collins looks, Jelena Dokoic thinks the opposite.
“It’s one thing getting to a grand slam final, but the crowd and everything that’s going on out here is a whole different ball game,” Dokic said.
“But also she looks uncomfortable to me. She’s not allowed to really play out here. What she wants to play. And she’s uncomfortable.”
A huge moment, the crowd on its feet, Ash comes up with three set point opportunities.
AHD SHE TAKES IT!
BARTY* 5-3 COLLINS
I take it all back Ash, I don’t know what I was thinking. Tennis switches gears so fast and a DOUBLE FAULT from Collins gives Barty the break, now can she consolidate? Here she comes, Barty holds and boy has the moment tum swung here.
The barty serve is simply exceptional, she disguises it all so well.
From Joe Barton who is courtside:
A huge moment as Danielle Collins’ serve lets her down in her moment of need.
The American has had a strong start, hammering Barty with her deadly backhand – but after blowing a break point opportunity of her own, she then offers one to Barty.
And the world No.1 doesn’t need gifts like this: a double fault.
It’s the first break of the match and gives Barty a 4-2 lead, which she consolidates with a strong hold to be one game away from taking the first set.
BARTY* 3-2 COLLINS
The Collins backhand is INSANE. How anyone has managed to return that this tournament is beyond me it’s unbelievable. Another clinical hold. Both players settling into this first set very well.
Also kids, don’t wear jewellery while playing sport.
Collins right not looking ever so slightly more comfortable, Ash struggling a little with her own serve and she’s pushed to deuce in this fifth game and then up against a break.
This isn’t the direction we all expected whatsoever.
She holds but it’s wobbly.
Bracelet broke away. Danielle Collins #AusOpenpic.twitter.com/HoflEvKa8h
— Tennis GIFs 🎾🎥 (@tennis_gifs) January 29, 2022
BARTY* 2-1 COLLINS
Close to the perfect start for Ash storming to 40-0 but the Collins backhand - as it has been all tournament - is going to cause problems. And she’s bring int out early. A few wobbles early but Ash with the early hold.
Unusual ground for Barty who has broken her opponent in every match early on, Collins with a strong hold.
Eight minutes and we are three games deep. Clinical at both ends pretty much. Who blinks first?
7:22pm THE TEXT THAT CHANGED THINGS FOR ASH
Back in 2015, Ash Barty and Serena Williams were living in different worlds.
One had left the professional circuit and was dabbling in cricket and helping schoolchildren learn tennis. The other was helping herself to three Grand Slams as part of a rampaging 53-3 win-loss year.
One was No.1 in the world – with daylight second — and the other had slid, through inactivity, to the mid-300s.
Different world? Try different solar system.
Then something interesting happened. They connected.
“Ash was in a restaurant I think and Serena sent her a message saying ‘you are too good a player to retire ... you have to come back’,” Barty’s first coach Jim Joyce said.Trust Serena to say what everyone else was thinking.
Wishing this champion all the VERY best tonight. A leader in so many ways, we are in awe no matter what, @ashbarty! 🆠#AusOpenpic.twitter.com/QrgzjYqE4w
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) January 29, 2022
7pm HOW TO BEAT ASH
Madison Keys has some advice for her American counterpart Danielle Collins, get ready to be looking at your shoelaces a lot.
According to Ash Barty’s semi-final victim she is in complete control of her game which spells big trouble for the debutant grand slam finalist.
“You have a game plan in your head but she’s just executing everything so well,” Keys said.
“She is serving incredibly well so you don’t get any free points on that and her slice is coming in so much lower and deeper than it was in the past so it’s hard to do anything on that.
“It feels like you can’t really get in a rhythm off the forehand side and then on her backhand side, I mean, everything is coming in at your shoelaces on the baseline. So it’s not like you can really do anything with that.
“I think she’s playing some really, really good tennis and she just seems so locked in and focused. I mean, I have played her a handful of times and this is easily the best I think she’s ever been playing.”
5pm THE COUNTDOWN IS ON
Ash Barty is looking to end a 44 year wait.
The world No 1 goes into tonight’s final against Danielle Collins as the red hot favourite but it will be no walkover according to Sam Stosur.
“Just because the American isn’t a household name in Australia, she cannot be underestimated,” Stosur said in her preview column for News Corp.
“You don’t fall into the world’s top 30 rankings by mistake. You have to be an insanely good tennis player to not only reach that level but to also consistently remain there.
“Write Collins out of this final at your peril. Believe me, Ash won’t be”
1-ASHLEIGH BARTY v 27-DANIELLE COLLINS
HEAD TO HEAD: Barty leads 3-1
2021: Adelaide International 2nd round, Collins wins 6-3 6-4
2020: Adelaide International semi-final, Barty wins 3-6 6-1 7-6
2019: French Open 2nd round, Barty wins 7-5 6-1
2019: Madrid Open 2nd round, Barty wins 6-1 1-6 6-1
1-BARTY
AGE: 25
COUNTRY: Australia
WORLD RANKING: 1
HEIGHT: 165cm
GRAND SLAMS: 2 (2019 French Open, 2021 Wimbledon)
SINGLES TITLES: 14
CAREER PRIZEMONEY: $21,539,750
27-COLLINS
COUNTRY: USA
WORLD RANKING: 30
HEIGHT: 178cm
GRAND SLAMS: 0
SINGLES TITLES: 2
CAREER PRIZEMONEY: $3,750,894
ROAD TO THE FINAL
BARTY
1R: def Lesia Tsurenko 60 61
2R: def Lucia Bronzetti 61 61
3R: def 30-Camila Giorgi 62 63
4R: def Amanda Anisimova 64 63
QF: def 21-Jessica Pegula 62 60
SF: def Madison Keys 61 63
TIME ON COURT: 6 hours, 6 minutes
COLLINS
1R: def Caroline Dolehide 6-1, 6-3
2R: def Ana Konjuh 6-4, 6-3
3R: def Clara Tauson 4-6, 6-4, 7-5
4R: def 19-Elise Mertens 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
QF: def Alize Cornet 7-5, 6-1
SF: def 7-Iga Swiatek [7] 6-4, 6-1
TIME ON COURT: 10 hours, 37 minutes
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