PHOTOS

In Pics: Tennis stars end COVID-19 quarantine, hit Adelaide courts

World number one Novak Djokovic pulled out of an Adelaide exhibition because of a blistered hand on Friday before appearing on court to play a set after all, helping his compatriot Filip Krajinovic beat Jannik Sinner. Djokovic was scheduled to kick off the 'Day at the Drive' event in front of a crowd of 4,000 at Adelaide’s Memorial Drive Tennis Club but pulled out minutes before he was due on court and was replaced by Krajinovic. Here's a collection of pics from the first exhibition tennis event from down under...

Updated:Jan 29, 2021, 05:45 PM IST

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Basking in the sun

Top tennis stars like Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal, Dominic Thiem, Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka and Simona Halep pose in Adelaide. The Adelaide tournament is the only Australian Open tune-up tournament that isn't being played in Melbourne. The others, including the ATP Cup and three WTA events, will starting getting underway from Sunday. (Photo: Reuters)

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Serena Williams

Former World No. 1 Serena Williams in action against Naomi Osaka. Serena Williams beat Naomi Osaka 6-2 2-6 (10-7) in a ‘super breaker’ in the second match with both players united in their excitement at playing in front of fans. (Source: Twitter)

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Rafa Nadal

Former Australian Open champion Rafa Nadal returns to Dominic Thiem in their exhibition match. In the first match of the evening session, Rafa Nadal took down Dominic Thiem 7-5 6-4 in a highly entertaining encounter between the men’s world number two and three. (Source: Twitter)

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Novak Djokovic

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic who initially pulled out of the event came on court to play one set in Adelaide. After his practice partner had won the first set, however, Djokovic bounded into the arena and proceeded to wrap up a 6-3 6-3 win over the Italian teenager. (Source: Twitter)

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Ashleigh Barty

World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty from Australia in action against Simona Halep in the exhibition match in Adelaide on Friday. The Adelaide tournament is the only Australian Open tune-up tournament that isn't being played in Melbourne. (Source: Twitter)