The Australian Open
Barty playground a grand slam for the community
The Queensland Government has served up a new playground in the Ipswich suburb of Springfield, inspired by former tennis world No.1 one and Indigenous star Ash Barty.
The Ash Barty Playground was co-designed with the three-time Grand Slam singles winner, and she expects to put the park to good use with son, Hayden, and her wider family.
The State Government provided $525,000 for the park and worked closely with Ipswich City Council, Springfield City Group and Ms Barty to make the project a reality.
The playground includes a halfcourt and rebound wall, complete with a painted-on tennis net so children can practice like the tennis legend did when she was growing up nearby.
Other features include extending the existing playground with a dry creek bed and nature play equipment, a looped pathway with stories at each pine tree along the way, new shades, seating and greenery, and plants to create a welcoming atmosphere.
“I have always loved my home and being part of the Springfield community,” Ms Barty said.
“Being able to work with the Queensland Government and other project partners to create a park and playground for local families to enjoy is special and I want to thank the Government for giving me this opportunity.”
Minister for Sport Tim Mander joined Ms Barty and Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding for the official opening.
“This playground will be a fitting acknowledgement of an outstanding sporting career, and more importantly, an outstanding Queenslander,” Mr Mander said.
“As a professional athlete, Ash Barty was always remarkably humble and never lost sight of where she came from.
“When offered a tribute to her accomplishments, Ash requested something that can be valued and appreciated by children, families, and her community for many years to come, rather than a statue.
“Ash may be retired, but because of the extraordinary impact she made during her time as a professional, she continues to inspire Queenslanders to be active.”
The Australian Open
Fashion-forward Osaka will tone it down at RG
Tennis style icon Naomi Osaka has no plans to try for one-upmanship in the informal fashion stakes at Roland Garros.
The former world No. 1 from Japan has sometimes made more news with her style choices than her racquet, especially after taking time off several seasons ago to have a child.
But Osaka has run against the traditional tennis grain with some of her outfits, which included an exo-skeleton ensemble at January’s Australian Open, where she walked onto court for her opening match wearing a large hat, veil, and carrying a parasol combination and wearing a pair of pleated pants..
The clothing was discarded before the start revealing a tennis dress, with the quirky player explaining the get-up was inspired by “the jellyfish, then butterflies, which ties back to the butterfly moment I had here a long time ago, in 2021,”
The world No. 16 also put on a fashion show at the spring Met Gala in New York, sporting a wedding dress-style garment combined with another huge hat..
For Osaka, it’s just another day in the office, but she said nothing special is planned when Roland Garros kicks of on Sunday in Paris.
“I don’t talk a lot, so that way I can talk through my clothes,” she said on Saturday prior to the start of the year’s second major.
“That means I can be as loud with colors or patterns or
fabric as I want.
“I think that’s the fun part.. I feel we lost that a little in tennis. I grew up with, you know, Serena’s and Venus’s (Williams) grand reveals (included beaded hair and catsuits on court).
“I know there are some kids or some people who are similar to me that hopefully feel that same way about my outfits.
“But, yeah, I am a little dramatic when it comes to my fashion sense.”
ATP
Kyrgios due to resurface on German grass
Nick Kyrgios is being touted for a return to tennis after playing just one singles match all season, with the controversial Australian due in the lineups for Stuttgart and Halle in June.
The 2022 Wimbledon finalist who turns 31 in a week, has been added to the entry lists for the pair of run-up events prior to the grass-court major which starts on June 29.
Kyrgios, who has missed months on end due to injury and motivational worries, has played just one Grand Slam match since 2022, losing in the Australian Open first round in 2025.
His lone outing this season was an ATP defeat in Brisbane on January 6.
Nevertheless, the acquired taste is feted as a crowd-puller and will have German organisers on alert as to his eventual availability.
“Nick Kyrgios has been one of the most dazzling personalities in world tennis for years,” Halle tournament organisers said in a statement.
“The Australian is known for his exceptional playing style, characterised by one of the best serves on the tour, spectacular winners, and great creativity.
“At the same time, his emotional personality and charisma attract considerable attention far beyond the sport.”
Stuttgart start the day after the Roland Garros final while Halle follows a week later in northern Germany from June 13-21.
ATP
Djoko dropping hints that career has short shelf life
Novak Djokovic has been making it plain that the end of his career is approaching, with the 38-year-old dropping his strongest hint ever about his future on court.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion who has been keeping his ATP scheduling options open and has competed this season only at the Australian Open (finals loss to Carlos Alcaraz) and winning two rounds last month at Indian Wells.
“Tennis is still very important to me, but it’s no longer everything,” the Serb told Esquire Australia, adding that family matters and two children are starting to take precedence in his life.
“It’s one of the biggest challenges – finding the right balance between tennis and family life, especially as my children are growing and have school commitments, so they can’t travel with me as much as before.
“When I’m on the court, I’m motivated not just to win, but to set an example – to show them values like dedication, resilience, and love for what you do. That motivation is very powerful and very personal.”
Main photo:- Novak Djokovic was runner up to Carlos Alcaraz in AO26 – by ISF Ltd
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