Serena Williams was reluctant to discuss suggestions of sexism at the Australian Open after a male on-court interviewer sparked outrage by asking some female players to ’give a twirl’.

Rafael Nadal continued his smooth progress at the Australian Open today to set up a third-round meeting with home favourite Bernard Tomic.

Teenager Bernard Tomic has been granted a wild card for next week’s Australian Open along with Carsten Ball, Sally Peers and Sophie Ferguson, Tennis Australia announced today.

Defending champion Maria Sharapova has been forced to withdraw from the upcoming Australian Open due to injury.

Police have ejected more than 150 fans after an ugly clash between Serbian and Croatian fans marred the opening day of the Australian Open.

Svetlana Kuznetsova today said she was “offended” by “appalling allegations” that she has tested positive for ephedrine.

Australian Open tournament director Paul McNamee today dismissed as “very unlikely” suggestions that tennis may look into adopting cricket-style video umpires to rid the game of questionable line-calls.

Australian tennis officials have apologised to Spanish dignitaries after the wrong national anthem was played at the 2003 Davis Cup final.

Two-time US Open champion Pat Rafter has called time on his glittering career, claiming one of his few regrets was the lack of a Wimbledon title on his CV.

Mary Pierce has been granted a wildcard entry into January's Australian Open by Tennis Australia.

Yugoslav-born Jelena Dokic has taken a parting shot at Australian tennis officials for forcing her out of her adopted country.