• Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia plays a forehand in her first round match against Ashleigh Barty of Australia. Julian Finney / Getty Images
    Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia plays a forehand in her first round match against Ashleigh Barty of Australia. Julian Finney / Getty Images
  • A ball girl holds up a tennis ball during the women's singles match between Chan Yung-Jan and Daniela Hantuchova at the Australian Open tennis tournament. Toby Melville / Reuters
    A ball girl holds up a tennis ball during the women's singles match between Chan Yung-Jan and Daniela Hantuchova at the Australian Open tennis tournament. Toby Melville / Reuters
  • Russia's Andrey Kuznetsov signs autographs after winning his first round match against Argentina's Juan Monaco at the Australian Open. Andy Wong / AP Photo
    Russia's Andrey Kuznetsov signs autographs after winning his first round match against Argentina's Juan Monaco at the Australian Open. Andy Wong / AP Photo
  • Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus looks on in his second round match against Tatsuma Ito of Japan during day three of the 2013 Australian Open. Cameron Spencer / Getty Images
    Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus looks on in his second round match against Tatsuma Ito of Japan during day three of the 2013 Australian Open. Cameron Spencer / Getty Images
  • A linesman sits at the ready, during day one of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. Joe Castro / EPA
    A linesman sits at the ready, during day one of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. Joe Castro / EPA
  • A spectators cools off in front of misting fans at the Australian Open. Narendra Shrestha / EPA
    A spectators cools off in front of misting fans at the Australian Open. Narendra Shrestha / EPA
  • Heather Watson casts a shadow as she serves to Alexandra Cadantu during their women's singles match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. Tim Wimborne / Reuters
    Heather Watson casts a shadow as she serves to Alexandra Cadantu during their women's singles match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. Tim Wimborne / Reuters
  • Dominika Cibulkova serves to Ashleigh Barty during their women's singles match at the Australian Open. Toby Melville / Reuters
    Dominika Cibulkova serves to Ashleigh Barty during their women's singles match at the Australian Open. Toby Melville / Reuters
  • Laura Robson plays a forehand in her third round match against Sloane Stephens during the Australian Open. Julian Finney / Getty Images
    Laura Robson plays a forehand in her third round match against Sloane Stephens during the Australian Open. Julian Finney / Getty Images
  • A fan holds an Australian flag during the men's singles match between Mikhail Youzhny and Matthew Ebden at the Australian Open. Daniel Munoz / Reuters
    A fan holds an Australian flag during the men's singles match between Mikhail Youzhny and Matthew Ebden at the Australian Open. Daniel Munoz / Reuters
  • MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 14: Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia plays a forehand in her first round match against Ashleigh Barty of Australia during day one of the 2013 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 14, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
    MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 14: Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia plays a forehand in her first round match against Ashleigh Barty of Australia during day one of the 2013 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 14, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Long Shot: Silhouettes at the Australian Open

RJ Mickelson

January 20, 2013

  • English
  • Arabic

As they jump in and out of the slivers of light, the world's best tennis players not only compete against one another but they're also challenged by the dramatic shifting rays of light which swallow their court vision. Unlike many of the tennis Grand Slams, the lighting conditions at the Australian Open can dictate one's overall scheme during a match and can a cast darkness on a players momentum.

*Photo editing by Sport photo editor RJ Mickelson

Australia