Linda Pearce
At Melbourne Park, it’s tennis, but not as we’ve known it
Australia is used to a full January of tennis, but in 2021 the sport has had to be content with a cameo...
Tennis gets back to its roots with an Australian Open lead-up like no other
This time last year, as another record-breaking Australian Open was drawing to a triumphant close, it was unthinkable that the next tournaments...
Australian Open 2021: Why the show must go on despite the controversy
Pages full of protest letters to editors, social media and talkback tub-thumpers and loud general bellyaching about whether the Australian Open should...
Novak Djokovic will pay a heavy price for his latest blunder in a year of missteps
There can be no questioning the legitimacy of Novak Djokovic’s sensational default from the US Open, despite an equally clear lack of...
Australian Open: Djokovic favoured, but soon enough it will be Thiem time
Yet another Australian Open final featuring Novak Djokovic contains a noteworthy new co-star. In the absence of a Roger or Rafa, even...
Dream on: Sofia Kenin wins maiden Australian Open title
Sofia Kenin, Australian Open champion. Say it out loud if necessary. Perhaps then it might seem like it’s true. The 14th seed...
Australian Open final: Two winners already as Kenin arrives, Muguruza returns
For breakout star Sofia Kenin, the Australian Open fortnight has been an arrival. For former world No.1 Garbine Muguruza, a return. Barty-pooper...
Linda Pearce: What went wrong for Ash Barty at the Australian Open
As the Australian Open continues without Ash Barty, so the crushing disappointment of Thursday’s 7-6 (5) 7-5 semi-final loss to Sofia Kenin...
‘Thank god for Ash’: Wendy Turnbull wants Barty to break more records
Wendy Turnbull is thankful to Ash Barty and glad she’s still alive to see the day a countrywoman, another Queenslander, is in...
Australian Open: In the Nick of time, Kyrgios finds the ‘positive vibes’
Nick Kyrgios insists that public perceptions have changed more than he has, but also acknowledges the challenge of sustaining the type of...