The Daily Serve: All the key moments and highlights of Day 2 from Melbourne Park

Just two years ago he was the talk of Melbourne with the Greek community rallying behind Stefanos Tsitsipas’ final run in 2023. He’s nowhere near that level now after a stunning first-round loss.

The action is well and truly underway now at Melbourne Park after a slow day 1.

Callum Dick runs through the aces, faults and we pick out some of the key moments you may have missed on day 2.

ACES

KYRGIOS CAN’T HELP HIMSELF

Give it to Nick Kyrgios because he is nothing if not consistent. Just hours out from his first match in three years at Melbourne Park, the Aussie ace was spotted in the mentions of Portuguese journalist Jose Morgado taking another subtle swipe at world No. 1 Jannik Sinner. Morgado tweeted encouragement for Sinner’s opponent, Nico Jarry, as the first set headed to a tiebreaker. Kyrgios replied with a side-eyes emoji, hinting he was watching with interest having been vocal in his dislike of Sinner dating back to the Italian’s two failed drug tests last year.

Nico Jarry is playing SO well.

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 13, 2025

IGA LEAVES US THUNDERSTRUCK

Polish superstar Iga Swiatek revealed she is just like us and loves listening to AC/DC and Led Zeppelin – and some Taylor Swift – to get herself in the zone before matches. The world No. 2 is often spotted head-bopping with headphones on before she goes onto court and was asked about her playlists after her straight-sets win over Katerina Siniakova. For a player who so often makes the difficult look ridiculously easy, it was nice to know she shares some common traits with us mere mortals.

FAULTS

STEF’S SHOCK LOSS

Two years ago the entire Greek community of Melbourne roared wind into Stefanos Tsitsipas’ sails as he surged to the Australian Open final against Novak Djokovic. But on Monday, try as they might, his fans could not drag him over the line against the magic of Alex Michelsen. The first round loss highlights a shocking fall from grace for the Greek superstar, who admitted he is struggling to capture the same hunger that took him to two grand slam finals and world No. 3 only a few short years ago.

Tsitsipas was bundled out quickly in Melbourne. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

CAMERAMAN DOWN

Normally foot faults are reserved for the tennis players but one unfortunate Channel 9 cameraman was left picking up the pieces after his untimely misstep ahead of the Sinner-Jarry battle. While filming Jarry’s entrance onto Rod Laver Arena the cameraman tripped and fell while walking backwards, drawing gasps from the crowd as the live feed cut to a different camera view. It was a rare unscripted moment in modern television. Hopefully the camo was able to dust himself off.

HISTORY-MAKING HADY INSPIRES ALL

Hady Habib has made history with just one victory.

Way out on Court 13, the 26-year-old Australian Open qualifier became the first Lebanese player to win a grand slam singles match in the main draw.

You might not have seen his 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 7-6 (8-6) win over China’s Bu Yunchaokete but if you were among the tens of thousands at Melbourne Park on Sunday you almost certainly heard it.

It was standing room only when Habib clinched his place in the second round and the roar that greeted his victory was unlike any he had experienced.

“This is probably one of the best days of my career,” he said.

“It’s such an incredible feeling to get this win, not only for myself but for Lebanon and Lebanese tennis.

“As you guys could see there, the crowd was absolutely wild. It made it even more special to win in front of them.

“This is the biggest achievement I’ve had in my career.”

Hady Habib does it! Two days ago Lebanon had never had a Grand Slam main draw participant, now they have a match winner!

And look at what it means!

He defeats Bu 7-6(4) 6-4 7-6(6)@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025pic.twitter.com/oFoJbKIQoE

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 12, 2025

EYES ON THE GROUND

COCO’S FASHION INSPO

– Lauren Wood

If it feels like Coco Gauff is taking a long time for her bathroom break, it’s because she probably is.

But that’s the price of tennis fashion, the young American star says.

Gauff – who is sponsored by New Balance – is rocking a dress at this year’s Australian Open that draws inspiration from “cargo pants” and needs some wrangling to accommodate a mid-match toilet pit stop with the outfit needing to be removed over her head.

“I’m a huge Marvel fan, so a lot of the female superheroes have cool cutouts on their outfits, so that’s what I wanted to do,” she said. “It’s actually kind of a pain to get into, because it’s a bodysuit kind, so I have to put the bottom on first and then kind of pull it over my head. It’s kind of a struggle and if you can’t hold your bladder, it’s also not a good idea.”

“I like wearing cargo pants, so (the skirt section is inspired by that) … there’s like a fake button, and there’s a lot of fake things (on it),” Gauff said.

“Then my shoes are inspired by basketball shoes, because that’s what my dad wanted me to play … but I’m glad I chose tennis.”

Gauff, 20, said she’d even needed to ask for assistance from match officials to facilitate her toilet use.

“This is not the first time I’ve worn something like this,” she laughed.

“A couple of times I’ve had to ask the referee to help unzip it at the back. But it’s all in the face of fashion and hopefully we have some cool designs for you guys.”

Boris Becker had pointed words for his former protege. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

BECKER’S FEARS FOR NOVAK

Novak Djokovic’s former coach has slammed the “sideshows” that he fears could detract from the Serbian’s bid for an 11th Australian Open title.

From claims he was “poisoned” while in immigration detention in Melbourne in 2022 to a “healing energy disc” formulated by a Serbian doctor, Djokovic has been in the headlines before even taking to the court.

And Becker – his former coach – has seen enough and wants to see the superstar concentrate on the task at hand.

“There are too many sideshows for me,” Becker is translated as saying on the Becker Petkovic podcast he appears on with former player Andrea Petkovic.

“If that’s the priority at the moment, then I don’t think that’s good – and even dangerous.

“He is the most successful player of all time. He wants to win another grand slam. And for that, he needs all the energy he has left. And he has to hold back a bit when it comes to these headlines.”