Brief Stories

DJOKOVIC'S BABY BOON

Novak Djokovic said he needed to have more children after the birth of his baby son was followed by his best season yet. Djokovic reached all four Grand Slam finals, winning three, last season following the birth of his son, Stefan, in October 2014. "Darling, I guess we've got to make more babies," he said, presumably referring to his wife, after his first-round win over Chung Hyeon on Monday. "I'm probably going to get criticised for what I said now," the Serb added sheepishly. However, the world number one already has media on his side after he handed out chocolates at his press conference on Sunday.

ROGER AND OUT

Roger Federer's first-round work-out against Nikoloz Basilashvili was so routine that the highlight was arguably a spectacular catch by a ballboy. Federer chipped a loose ball to the ballboy, kneeling at the side of the net, who took a sharp one-handed catch just above the ground. "Ah, that was good to watch," purred the commentator, in footage which quickly did the rounds on the Internet.

THE GRUNTING TENNIS RACQUET

Many fans reached for the mute button as the notoriously noisy Maria Sharapova shrieked her way into the second round, but a new invention means that, unfortunately, players everywhere can sound like the Russian. The 'Grunting Tennis Racquet', fashioned by Japanese inventor Seiya Kobayashi, screams on its own when you swing it, meaning you can keep quiet and still sound like the five-time Grand Slam champion. One player who doesn't need the Grunting Tennis Racquet is Victoria Azarenka, Sharapova's rival in volume and a two-time Australian Open winner who makes her entrance on Tuesday.   -Afp