Radek Stepanek to undergo surgery due to neck injury

Veteran Czech player Radek Stepanek has withdrawn from next week's Davis Cup tie against Switzerland due to an escalating neck injury since the tournament in Sydney.

According to ATP website, "a neck disc was pressing on a nerve and was creating a big problem in Stepanek's neck and right hand".

Team captain Jaroslav Navratil announced that Stepanek will be replaced by world ranked 189 Ivo Minar, who will join Tomas Berdych and Lukas Rosol  for the trip to Geneva. The defending champions will meet the Swiss team who will be without Roger Federer.

(Via Sport.cz, NDTV Sports, ATPWorldTour)

Novak Djokovic wins fourth Australian Open title

Novak Djokovic didn't rip his shirt off  after winning this year's Australian Open final. He just did a little dance after a 3-hour and 40-minute match against Andy Murray.

The Serbian player who retains his no.1 world ranking became the first man in the Open era to win three consecutive Australian titles when he beat Murray 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Born just a week apart in May 1987, both players are friends since their early junior playing days.

So close yet so far

Murray who won his first Grand Slam at the US Open last year is yet to make a breakthrough in Australia after losing a third final here in the last four years.

Djokovic has now won 6 Grand Slam titles in total.

Djokovic opens a bottle of champagne to celebrate his record breaking win

With Alessandro Del Piero after the win 

(Images via Zimbio.com)

Victoria Azarenka defends Australian Open crown in dramatic final

Victoria Azarenka not only had to fight against Li Na who was a crowd's favourite but also overcame an accusation of gamesmanship after taking a medical timeout late in the semifinal against Sloane Stephens to triumph in the Australian Open women's final.

Li Na takes a tumble

Luck was clearly on the defending champion's side when Li Na had to have her ankle taped after the first fall. The second tumble came and Li Na was blacked out momentarily after hitting her head. 

The dramatic final was also interrupted by a nine-minute break due to the Australia Day fireworks.

It was an emotional win for Azarenka

Azarenka prevailed after playing for two hours and 40 minutes with the score 4-6 6-4 6-3 to win her second Grand Slam title. She will retain her no.1 world ranking.

"I feel really happy right now," Azarenka said. "It's been a long match. It's been a tough match. Li Na was absolutely playing great tennis. Unfortunate things that happened to her, you know, but that's sport."

 Azarenka poses with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup in the changerooms

A bottle of champagne to celebrate the win

Redfoo was at the changerooms to celebrate Azarenka's triumph

(Images via Zimbio.com, Sina Tennis)

Angelique Kerber gets birthday wish and a cake

It's Angelique Kerber's 25th birthday today.

She described that she had one of the most beautiful moments that she could ever experience on a tennis court on her Facebook.

Right after she defeated 17-year-old Madison Keys in the third round earlier today, a cake was immediately presented to her at Rod Laver Arena and the crowd sang her a birthday song.

(Images via Dailymail.uk.co)