Page 18 - ARUBA TODAY

A18 SPORTS
Tuesday 4 February 2020

Switzerland's Roger Federer speaks during a press confer-
ence following his semifinal loss to Serbia's Novak Djokovic
at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne,
Australia, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020.
Associated Press
Federer to play in Serbia's Novak Djokovic kisses his trophy, the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup, during a photo

South Africa, where shoot at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens following his win over Austria's Dominic Thiem in the
men's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships, in Melbourne, Australia, Monday,
Feb. 3, 2020.
his mother was born Associated Press

MELBOURNE, Australia do it is exciting, of course, Djokovic returns to No. 1; Kenin
(AP) — Roger Federer to say the least. I know my top American woman at No. 7
shakes his head and parents are very happy,
sounds a bit embarrassed very proud, as well. I'm
when he's asked why he's sure it's going to be very, By HOWARD FENDRICH "That's one of the two big- liams in 1999.
never played a tennis very special for me on MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) gest goals, for sure," said With Williams staying at No.
match in South Africa until many levels to play there." — Novak Djokovic returned Djokovic, who defeated 9 after her third-round loss
now. The hope is to generate to No. 1 in the ATP rank- Federer in the semifinals at in Australia, Kenin moved
It is, after all, where his more than $1 million for ings Monday after winning Melbourne Park. "I mean, past a player she considers
mother was born. the Roger Federer Foun- his eighth Australian Open there is no secret in that." an idol.
"I don't know what took dation, which supports title, while Sofia Kenin's first The other? Catching up "It hasn't sunk in yet. Ev-
me so long, to be quite early childhood educa- Grand Slam trophy boost- to Federer and Nadal for erything is just still a blur
honest," the 20-time tion in six African countries ed her to a career-high most major championships. for me. I just can't believe
Grand Slam champion and Switzerland. Its CEO, No. 7 — and made her the Federer leads the way with what happened. Yeah, it's
said. "I said, 'It's not possi- Janine Haendel, said the leading American — on 20, with Nadal at 19 and just great. I feel like I'm do-
ble that I'm on the tour for foundation already has the WTA list. Djokovic now at 17. ing some great things for
20 years, I've become the reached more than a mil- Djokovic's 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, In the rankings, Nadal is American tennis. It's such
player that I have been, lion children in its history. 6-4 victory over Dominic No. 2, Federer remained at an honor," Kenin said Sat-
and I've never played in "It will be such an emo- Thiem in the final at Mel- No. 3, and Thiem went up urday.
South Africa. It's just not tional moment for him," bourne Park on Sunday al- one place to No. 4, with "I've watched Serena. I've
OK.' I couldn't live with my- Haendel said about the lowed the 32-year-old from U.S. Open runner-up Daniil been following her, all the
self if that happened." event in South Africa, Serbia to rise one spot and Medvedev sliding to No. 5. Slams she's been winning.
Federer, a 38-year-old which also is slated to in- move back ahead of Ra- The highest jump in the top It's a special feeling just to
from Switzerland, is plan- clude an appearance fael Nadal. 100 was by Tennys Sand- be ahead of her. I'm just su-
ning to finally fill that gap by Bill Gates. "For him, it's Nadal had overtaken gren, an American who per excited. I can't wait to
on his rather full resume really a dream. It's been Djokovic in November and, went from 100th to 44th compete, be on the same
on Friday, when he and a project for quite some at age 33, became the thanks to getting to the team with her in Fed Cup."
his longtime rival, Rafael time." oldest year-end No. 1. But quarterfinals. He pushed The United States hosts Lat-
Nadal, are scheduled to But this wasn't just about Nadal lost ranking points Federer to the brink in via at Everett, Washington,
play an exhibition match raising — or making — by getting eliminated in the that round, holding seven in the team competition
in Cape Town. money, Federer said. He Australian Open quarter- match points, but was un- next weekend.
"You know how it is. Life on wanted to make sure the finals, by Thiem, one year able to convert one. Ash Barty held onto No. 1
tour sometimes is what it event was accessible after being the runner-up The 21-year-old Kenin, who in the WTA rankings after
is. I couldn't be more ex- for spectators, so 10,000 to Djokovic. lives in Florida, became the losing to Kenin in the semifi-
cited now that it's actually tickets were available for This is Djokovic's 276th week youngest woman to win nals. Simona Halep, ousted
really happening. I hope about $11 each. The aim is leading the ATP, the third- the Australian Open since at that stage by Muguruza,
I'm going to be really fine an attendance of 50,000, most in the history of the Maria Sharapova in 2008 went from No. 3 to No. 2,
to play. I believe I am, but which would be the larg- computerized rankings, by coming back to beat switching places with Karo-
we'll see," Federer said af- est crowd on record for a which began in the 1970s. two-time major champion lina Pliskova.
ter losing in the semifinals tennis match. Roger Federer holds the Garbiñe Muguruza 4-6, 6-2, Muguruza, who was un-
at the Australian Open, That goes along with part record of 310, followed by 6-2 in Saturday's final. seeded at a Grand Slam
where his movement was of Federer's interest in Pete Sampras with 286. Kenin rose eight spots and tournament for the first time
hampered by a painful burnishing his legacy — If Djokovic can stay at No. 1 is the youngest American in six years, returned to the
groin muscle. and that of the game he until the first week of Octo- to make her debut in the top 20, going from No. 32 to
"Also, that Rafa is willing to plays.q ber, he will surpass Federer. top 10 since Serena Wil- No. 16.q