2025 AO media day: Sabalenka 'sounds too cocky,' Medvedev hints at 'interesting things' & Zheng's 'the boss'

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2025 AO media day: Sabalenka 'sounds too cocky,' Medvedev hints at 'interesting things' & Zheng's 'the boss'

Plus: Kyrgios eyes a night out with Novak in Belgrade, and Gauff is ready should the first-on call come at the Australian Open.

ByBaseline Staff

Published Jan 10, 2025

INTERVIEW: 'I have the belief that I'm one of the best players in the world,' says Coco Gauff after United Cup triumph

The first Grand Slam event of the season will commence shortly—and with it comes a return to the main interview room for the game's top players.

Several of your favorite stars made their media rounds Friday in Melbourne ahead of launching their Australian Open campaigns. Here’s a taste of what was discussed.

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Sabalenka is aiming to become the first woman since Martina Hingis to complete an Australian Open three-peat.

Aryna welcomes the target on her back

“I always liked to compete. I always liked to accept, like, really tough challenges,” Sabalenka began.

“For me being the one to chase, I mean, I don't know, I like it. I like that feeling. That's what drives me and help me to stay motivated because I know that I have target on my back. I really like to have it. That's why I work really hard, make sure that nobody can gets to me.

“Oh, my God, it sounds too cocky, isn't it (laughter)?”

Medvedev has appeared in the final at Melbourne Park three of the past four years, but is yet to come out on the winning end.

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Dad Daniil: watch for ‘interesting things’

“I feel like I'm at the age where I want to be at home. I don't see myself ever playing something before Australian Open because I really like to spend this time with my family, which is growing,” said Medvedev about his wife Daria giving birth to their second child.

“So yeah, I think the season starts too early. But I feel great, because it gives me extra time to practice. I think we're going to see a lot of interesting things from me, and I'm looking forward to it.”

Gauff landed in the same half as Sabalenka, having fallen to the eventual champion in the 2024 semifinals.

Coco is ready for the early shift if need be

“When I practice at home, I practice, this off-season, 8, 9 a.m. because I like to have that. When I practice, I practice early just 'cause I like to have the afternoon to myself,” shared Gauff.

“I can get up early. I'm not, like, slow to wake up. Once I get some food in me, I'm pretty much good (smiling).”

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Kyrgios last played a Grand Slam match at the 2022 US Open, where he lost to Karen Khachanov in the quarterfinals.

Nick wants a night out, not an exhibition, with Nole in Belgrade

“If he pays me (smiling). I think he can pay me a pretty good amount,” Kyrgios joked about what it would take to do an exhibition with Djokovic in Serbia.

“I'll happily come. I don't even want to play tennis there. I want to party in Belgrade. I want to party with Djokovic in Serbia, like that. That will go down as the greatest of all time.”

If Zheng is to meet Sabalenka again in Melbourne, it won't be in the final as the Paris Olympics champion landed in the top quarter.

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Qinwen, the boss girl

“I am not going to say specific my goal. I will keep it for myself, by my own. But if I am a boss in my team, I think I am a tough boss for them. I've been pushing everyone,” 2024 Australian Open finalist Zheng said.

“I always feel like my practice is not good enough. I always feel there is something I could do better. Always in the fitness side is the same. Treatment is the same. To the coach I say, ‘I think my backhand down the line is to improve. I think my return is to improve.’

“I always come on the court with, ‘Okay, we are not good enough.’”

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