2017 Australian Open January 19, 2017

Around The Grounds At The Australian Open

Cakes, crocodiles, mutant turtles, selfies - see how the players spent their time away from the court during a busy two weeks of the Australian Open.

Caroline Wozniacki and Victoria Azarenka were joined by four colorful characters at the Australian Open Kids Tennis Day – as well as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. — 01 /19

Caroline Wozniacki and Victoria Azarenka were joined by four colorful characters at the Australian Open Kids Tennis Day – as well as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Eugenie Bouchard’s loyal fans, the “Genie Army,” were out in full force in sunny Melbourne. — 02 /19

Eugenie Bouchard’s loyal fans, the “Genie Army,” were out in full force in sunny Melbourne.

Australian player Daria Gavrilova thrilled Aussie fans with her spirited performance at her home slam. The 21-year-old made the Round of 16, her best result ever at a slam. — 03 /19

Australian player Daria Gavrilova thrilled Aussie fans with her spirited performance at her home slam. The 21-year-old made the Round of 16, her best result ever at a slam.

Down the road from Melbourne Park, Johanna Konta stands under the distinctive clocks of Flinders Street Station. Konta made British tennis history by becoming the first woman in 33 years to reach the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. — 04 /19

Down the road from Melbourne Park, Johanna Konta stands under the distinctive clocks of Flinders Street Station. Konta made British tennis history by becoming the first woman in 33 years to reach the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley presents Maria Sharapova with a cake commemorating a major milestone: she reached 600 career singles wins after her victory in the third round. — 05 /19

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley presents Maria Sharapova with a cake commemorating a major milestone: she reached 600 career singles wins after her victory in the third round.

Australian Open finalist Angelique Kerber makes a young fan happy at Autograph Island. — 06 /19

Australian Open finalist Angelique Kerber makes a young fan happy at Autograph Island.

Naomi Osaka wants to be the very best, like no one ever was. The 18-year-old Japanese – pictured here meeting the penguins at Melbourne Aquarium – made the third round at the Australian Open. — 07 /19

Naomi Osaka wants to be the very best, like no one ever was. The 18-year-old Japanese – pictured here meeting the penguins at Melbourne Aquarium – made the third round at the Australian Open.

Serena Williams signs autographs after her Round of 16 win. The World No.1 has yet to drop a set in her Australian Open title defense. — 08 /19

Serena Williams signs autographs after her Round of 16 win. The World No.1 has yet to drop a set in her Australian Open title defense.

Annika Beck dealt the No.11 seed Timea Bacsinszky a second-round upset, and doled out many autographs at the Australian Open Autograph Island. — 09 /19

Annika Beck dealt the No.11 seed Timea Bacsinszky a second-round upset, and doled out many autographs at the Australian Open Autograph Island.

World No.113 Zheng Shuai was contemplating retiring after the Australian Open – until she upset the No.2 seed Simona Halep in the first round. Zheng – pictured here with coach Liu Shuo at the Chinese Museum – is now in her first ever Grand Slam quar — 10 /19

World No.113 Zheng Shuai was contemplating retiring after the Australian Open – until she upset the No.2 seed Simona Halep in the first round. Zheng – pictured here with coach Liu Shuo at the Chinese Museum – is now in her first ever Grand Slam quar

Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka signs a camera lens after her victory – can the undefeated No.14 seed make it three Grand Slams in Melbourne? — 11 /19

Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka signs a camera lens after her victory – can the undefeated No.14 seed make it three Grand Slams in Melbourne?

Daria Kasatkina, who made the third round in Melbourne, tries on a bit of Aussie spirit – and a cork hat – at the Australia Pop Up Shop. — 12 /19

Daria Kasatkina, who made the third round in Melbourne, tries on a bit of Aussie spirit – and a cork hat – at the Australia Pop Up Shop.

Carla Suárez Navarro is always calm – whether she’s on court or holding a freshwater crocodile. A quarterfinalist here in Melbourne, she’s looking to move into the final four for the first time in her career. — 13 /19

Carla Suárez Navarro is always calm – whether she’s on court or holding a freshwater crocodile. A quarterfinalist here in Melbourne, she’s looking to move into the final four for the first time in her career.

Garbiñe Muguruza during her post-match interview. The World No.3 made the third round of the Australian Open. — 14 /19

Garbiñe Muguruza during her post-match interview. The World No.3 made the third round of the Australian Open.

Most legendary selfie of all time? Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Barbara Schett, Rennae Stubbs, Nicole Bradtke, Marion Bartoli, Martina Navratilova, Lindsay Davenport, Kim Clijsters, Iva Majoli and a host of other champions squeeze in with for a quick photo. — 15 /19

Most legendary selfie of all time? Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, Barbara Schett, Rennae Stubbs, Nicole Bradtke, Marion Bartoli, Martina Navratilova, Lindsay Davenport, Kim Clijsters, Iva Majoli and a host of other champions squeeze in with for a quick photo.

Kim Clijsters – a four-time Grand Slam champion – gives a talk at the Australian Open’s Celebration of Inspirational Women Brunch. — 16 /19

Kim Clijsters – a four-time Grand Slam champion – gives a talk at the Australian Open’s Celebration of Inspirational Women Brunch.

First-time Grand Slam finalist Angelique Kerber answers questions in her interview with Australia’s Seven Network ahead of the Australian Open final. — 17 /19

First-time Grand Slam finalist Angelique Kerber answers questions in her interview with Australia’s Seven Network ahead of the Australian Open final.

Staying focused: Serena Williams seeks her 22nd Grand Slam title – a feat which would tie Steffi Graf’s Open Era record. — 18 /19

Staying focused: Serena Williams seeks her 22nd Grand Slam title – a feat which would tie Steffi Graf’s Open Era record.

The spotlight is on World No.4 Agnieszka Radwanska, behind the scenes at her ESPN Player Montage. The reigning WTA Finals champion is seeking to make the Australian Open her first Grand Slam title. — 19 /19

The spotlight is on World No.4 Agnieszka Radwanska, behind the scenes at her ESPN Player Montage. The reigning WTA Finals champion is seeking to make the Australian Open her first Grand Slam title.