Iga Swiatek addressed injury concerns as Yulia Putintseva gave an unusual answer to a reporter (Image: Getty / WTA)
The gets underway on Sunday but the build-up has already begun.
The first tournaments of the season concluded on Sunday, with and Team USA’s and among the winners.
Gauff earned a statement win over world No. 2 when the US faced Poland in the United Cup final, with Swiatek taking a medical time out. She later addressed concerns over a potential injury ahead of the first Major of the year.
Meanwhile, play is underway in Adelaide, where Yulia Putintseva had a strong response for the on-court interviewer when her birthday was mentioned.
Follow all the latest news and updates in the lead-up to the Australian Open below…
Putintseva calls out interviewer
Yulia Putintseva got off to a strong start in Adelaide, beating Donna Vekic in straight sets.
It was the perfect early present for the Kazakh, who turns 30 on Tuesday. But she wasn’t happy when the on-court interviewer reminded her of her milestone birthday.
“It’s your birthday tomorrow, I believe. That’s very exciting. And you’ve got the day off! Give it up, the big three-oh,” the reporter started.
But things took a turn when he asked Putintseva how she would celebrate.
The world No. 25 replied: “I’m not going to celebrate. It’s 30, who celebrates 30? I’m still 29.”
In response to turning 30″I’m still 29″ ud83dude02
u2014 wta (@WTA)
Swiatek addresses injury concerns after MTO
needed a medical time out during her 6-4 6-4 defeat to in the United Cup final on Sunday.
It raised alarm bells over the world No. 2’s fitness ahead of the first Grand Slam of the season. Swiatek had also struggled with something during Poland’s semi-final on Saturday.
But she later confirmed it was just fatigue.
Asked whether her medical time out against Gauff was for a new problem, the five-time Grand Slam champion replied: “Well, taping wasn’t a different leg, but nothing happened really.
“Like, I was just tired. You know, the volume at the beginning of the tournament especially has been pretty big, so yeah, but honestly, like, this really, it’s all good.”
Iga Swiatek needed a medical time out on Sunday (Image: Getty)