Melbourne

The growth of the Australian Open, however, would not be the same without its core product – the players.

Going back a few decades, many European and American stars would not travel to Melbourne because of the distance and a general feeling it lacked prestige.

That has changed considerably – not least because Tiley introduced a travel grant for the players.

“A lot of players are happy to escape the European winter and see the other players again and catch up in the New Year,” Federer said.

“People are incredibly excited and pumped up about the Australian Open. The players can feel that. The vibe is incredibly happy.”

Particular emphasis is placed on high-quality player facilities.

A hi-tech racquet lab provides personalised strings and grips, while a health suite offers physiotherapy, massage therapy and plunge pools.

Specialist medical treatment – an ophthalmologist, dermatologist, podiatrist and orthopaedist – is available, as are nutritionists and hydrationists, while chefs rustle up home comforts from every corner of the globe.

A beauty salon, including barbers, pedicurists and manicurists, is also on hand, along with a laundry service and dry cleaners.

There is even an on-site bank.

“We have a complete tourism service. We provide pretty much anything you can think of to service an athlete,” Tiley said in a recent interview with Forbes magazine.

Aryna Sabalenka kept her cool to storm past Elina Svitolina and reach a fourth Australian Open final in a row.

World number one Sabalenka overcame fluctuations in form and a hindrance call against her in the fourth game of the match to thrash Svitolina 6-2 6-3.

Ukraine’s 12th seed Svitolina had beaten two top-10 players to reach the semi-finals but was no match for Sabalenka’s powerful hitting.

Sabalenka has yet to drop a set this year and is now on an 11-match winning streak.

She will face either Elena Rybakina or Jessica Pegula on Saturday as she bids for a fifth Grand Slam singles title and a third here.

The 27-year-old will also be searching for some redemption after last year’s final, when she felt she was “not brave enough” in a three-set loss to Madison Keys.

“I cannot believe that,” Sabalenka said of reaching another Melbourne final.

“It is an incredible achievement but the job is not done yet.”

More to follow.

Iga Swiatek’s bid to complete the career Grand Slam at this year’s Australian Open was ended by Kazakh fifth seed Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals.

Reigning Wimbledon champion Swiatek lost 7-5 6-1 as Rybakina used her power to devastating effect.

Swiatek, 24, can already be ranked among the greats, having won six major titles across all three different surfaces.

Mastering the Wimbledon grass last year – a surface considered her weakest – opened the door to attempting in Melbourne to become only the sixth woman in the Open era to win all four Grand Slam events.

Before the tournament, Swiatek acknowledged the achievement would be a “dream come true” but insisted she was blocking out the outside noise about what was at stake.

On the evidence of what she had showed over the opening four rounds, it never truly felt that she would complete the clean sweep this year.

Swiatek’s service game had not been solid, while the quicker courts at Melbourne Park have historically led to problems against aggressive opponents.

That always promised to be a bad combination against 2022 Wimbledon champion Rybakina, who ruthlessly took advantage in Wednesday’s contest.

Rybakina, 26, could not find rhythm with her serve in a first set which started with the pair exchanging breaks.

A low first-serve percentage of 41% was uncharacteristic, but she had enough pace and aggression in her groundstrokes to rush Swiatek.

That was demonstrated in the crucial 12th game. Rybakina fought back from 0-30 with deep returning – drawing loose sprays from Swiatek – and explosive winners to take the opener.

Momentum stayed with Rybakina as she immediately took control of the second set.

In perfect 22C sunny conditions following Tuesday’s heatwave, her groundstrokes continued to fly through the court and Swiatek was unable to solve the problem facing her.