Tennis stars from around the globe have descended on Adelaide to kick off their year with a shot at glory at the Adelaide International. But competition on the court is fierce, and it doesn’t mean they should miss out on what Adelaide has to offer. Some familiar faces have reached new heights – literally. Zhang Zhizhen and Marketa Vondrousova enjoyed the RoofClimb at Adelaide Oval. The 360-degree views from 50m up offer the best way to see the city.
Meanwhile, Sebastian Korda chose to keep his feet on the ground and get up close with some furry friends. The American shared his trip to the zoo is special for him and his girlfriend, referring to it as their "thing." He noted they previously explored Cleland Wildlife Park during their visit two years ago, so it was high time they went to the Adelaide Zoo. "[We] got to feed a pygmy hippo and see some other animals, which was a lot of fun," he said.
The go-to activity for Felix Auger-Aliassime and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova was to explore the work of glass artist Dale Chihuly at Adelaide’s Botanic Gardens. Pavlyuchenkova expressed her love for flowers, so she wasn’t about to miss the opportunity to check out the exhibition. "I’m totally enjoying every second of being here," she said, noting she has been busy sending pictures to her mum, who has her own garden and loves flowers just as much. For Auger-Aliassime, experiencing life beyond the court is important. "You just see the tennis courts, so to see other things – I always enjoy it," he said, adding he would encourage other players to take advantage of this "very nice initiative." Once again, Adelaide is proving the perfect backdrop for the international tennis tournament, blending sport with adventure.
On the courts, home town favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis served up excitement by overcoming Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka. The match was no walkover, with Kokkinakis and Nishioka engaged in a tough three-setter match. Kokkinakis, who won this event back in 2022, seemed glad to be back on his favourite court at Memorial Drive. His victory over Nishioka was not without challenges, as he faced inconsistent performances through the match, finally taking it 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.
"It's definitely my favourite court," said Kokkinakis, who enjoyed the support of the crowd after securing his win. "I never like when it's going too well because I'm just kind of waiting for something bad to happen — and it kind of did. It could have been maybe a straight-sets match — but that's tennis — and he fought and played some good tennis. Then you guys lifted me in the third set." His effort resulted in 41 winners and 15 aces, reaffirming his position as one of the standout performers early on.
Also enjoying success was Christopher O'Connell, who narrowly defeated Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, posting a 7-5, 7-6 (7-5) victory. This win was particularly important for O'Connell, considering he made the quarterfinals last year but faced the risk of dropping significantly from his input due to early exit this year. "First match of the year, getting your first win of the year is always very helpful," O'Connell said, smiling after achieving his goal.
The Australian duo of James Duckworth and Adam Walton scraped their way together to the main draw, needing some last-minute adjustments when defending champion Jiri Lehecka and Tomas Machac withdrew due to fatigue and injury. With the field headlined by America’s world number 12, Tommy Paul, this year’s Adelaide International promises to be thrilling.
Newcomer to the tournament, Rinky Hijikata, made headlines earlier when he cruised through the first round against former world No. 7, David Goffin, winning 6-1, 6-2. This win was significant, especially following Hijikata's earlier loss during qualifiers. "What a win, dominant from Hijikata," said Peter Psaltis during the live commentary. The world No. 79 emphasized the importance of this victory, expressing satisfaction after previously losing to Goffin last year, and looks to build on this momentum as the season continues.
While the competitors are primed for challenging matches, their time off the court appears equally engaging, demonstrating the cultural richness of the city of Adelaide. Whether it’s exploring art exhibitions or enjoying the local wildlife, the players are making the most of their time during the Adelaide International. The multifaceted nature of this event is making it attractive for both participants and the audience, with thrilling matches and lively local activities complementing one another seamlessly.
With the tournament gathering momentum, fans and players alike can expect more exciting tennis action and communal experiences throughout.