The new Australian Open director, Andrew Abdo, presented the 2027 edition on Thursday at Rod Laver Arena. And he said: “Whether it’s Carlos Alcaraz against Jacob Sinner…” Jannik Sinner, world number 1, twice a winner in Melbourne. Renamed live.
I read that in the bubble (our indoor dome), between two rented hours, towel on my knees. And I thought: welcome to the club, Jannik.
Because on the club scoreboard, they wrote “Céline C30.5” for a whole season. That’s a club-level ranking, half a notch too low. Nobody corrected it. The committee knew, of course. Like Andrew Abdo, who admitted his mistake afterwards: “Of course I know his name is Jannik Sinner.” The committee also knew I was C30.4. It never said so out loud.
Technically, what Sinner is going through, I go through. In a different context. Without Rod Laver Arena. But I go through it.
The director comes from rugby league, the NRL. In September he had already caused a stir by raising a possible change to the format of men’s matches at the Grand Slams; the organisation then reaffirmed its commitment to five sets. Five sets, I play them. Over two interclubs matches (Belgium’s weekend team league), but I play them.
It’s very simple: a botched first name means ninety per cent less concentration. I saw it in Kitzbühel. Well, I talked about it.
At least Jacob is still a top-1 first name. On the scoreboard, I’m still C30.5.
It’s true, we checked: Tennis Actu.
