Adorable photos of tennis stars as kids
As the Australian Open draws towards a close, take a look at how some of the sport’s biggest stars looked before they became household names.
ROGER FEDERER
One of the most loved athletes in the sport, Federer was destined for greatness from a young age.
With 20 grand slam titles to his name, Australian fans hope they’ll see the Swiss maestro at Melbourne Park next year.
Roger Federer has always been a style icon.Source:Getty Images
RAFAEL NADAL
Unstoppable on clay, Nadal sits one grand slam title behind Roger Federer on the all-time tally.
He was knocked out of the Australian Open by Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarter-finals before making a bizarre mid-interview exit during his post-match press conference.
The Spaniard was putting on a gun show even back then.Source:Getty Images
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
The Serbian endured one of the most tumultuous years of his professional career in 2020, but remains the favourite to clinch a ninth Australian Open title this weekend.
Djokovic has battled through injury concerns and has no intention of being dethroned any time soon, having dismissed the challenge posed by Generation Next.
Once a Djoker, always a Djoker.Source:Getty Images
NICK KYRGIOS
He remains one of the most controversial figures in tennis, but there’s no denying Nick Kyrgios brings plenty of entertainment to the sport.
The 25-year-old was knocked out of the Australian Open by world No. 3 Dominic Thiem in a five-set thriller in the third round, and came in for some heavy criticism.
Kyrgios’ girlfriend has also made headlines recently as the pair’s relationship came under scrutiny.
Nick Kyrgios has lost that puppy fat.Source:Getty Images
ASH BARTY
Barty is the world No. 1 and one of Australia’s most loved athletes across any code.
Despite being gifted a miracle draw, she was knocked out of her home major by Czech star Karolina Muchova in the quarter-finals.
That loss exposed an alarming truth about the Aussie’s ability to handle pressure, sparking a damning prediction about her career.
Barty won her maiden grand slam title at the French Open in 2019, after which a photo of her as a kid went viral.
That photo on the left always gets plenty of airtime whenever Barty plays well.Source:Getty Images
VENUS & SERENA WILLIAMS
Venus and Serena are arguably the most successful siblings in sporting history, with a combined tally of 30 grand slam singles titles — and they’re still playing!
Sadly, 39-year-old Serena was knocked out of the Australian Open by Japanese sensation Naomi Osaka in the semi-finals, and walked out of her press conference after breaking down in tears.
Serena is one shy of Margaret Court’s record for all-time grand slam singles titles (24) but there are fears her best may not be good enough anymore — a truth she’s finding difficult to swallow.
Still dominating all these years later.Source:Getty Images
NAOMI OSAKA
With three grand slam singles titles to her name already, 23-year-old Osaka is as big a hit on the court as she is off it.
She will take on America’s Jennifer Brady during Saturday’s Australian Open final as she hunts a second crown at Melbourne Park.
Osaka’s public appearances are always must-watch affairs, and she recently outed her sister for sending “disturbing” messages in a group text chat.
Naomi Osaka is impossible not to like.Source:Getty Images
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS
The long-haired Greek is one of the rising stars in the sport, but lost to Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in their Australian Open semi-final on Friday evening.
Tsitsipas was always a fan of long hair.Source:Getty Images
DOMINIC THIEM
The Austrian star won his maiden grand slam singles title at the US Open last year and is destined to secure a few more in the near future.
After toppling Nick Kyrgios in a five-set marathon, he was knocked out of the Australian Open by Hungary’s Grigor Dimitrov in straights set in the fourth round.
No headband for Thiem in the 90s.Source:Getty Images
JENNIFER BRADY
Brady has qualified for her maiden grand slam singles final, where she will take on Japanese sensation Naomi Osaka.
The undisputed queen of quarantine has emerged as the anti-Novak Djokovic hero the Australian Open needed, establishing herself as a powerful new threat in the women’s draw.
Brady’s backhand was on point from a young age.Source:Getty Images
ANDY MURRAY
Murray made history by winning Wimbledon in 2012, but sadly was not able to participate in this year’s Australian Open after contracting the coronavirus.
Injuries have ravaged the Scot’s career of late but he still has three grand slam titles to his name.
Red looks good on him.Source:Getty Images
ALEX DE MINAUR
As the host country’s highest-ranked men’s player, Alex de Minaur was knocked out the Australian Open by Italy’s Fabio Fognini in the third round.
Renowned for his fighting spirit and never-say-die attitude, tennis fans — not to mention British star Katie Boulter — have fallen in love with the Demon.
The Demon is a fan favourite.Source:Getty Images
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