Daria, our new role model, take a bow
What an absolute treasure Australia, Melbourne and professional tennis here have acquired in the person of the delightful Daria Gavrilova (pictured). Her intense, nearly three-hour confrontation with 28th-seed Kristina Mladenovic on Friday night was one of the most entertaining and thrilling matches I have seen. And she managed it without grunts, snarls or grimaces, without abuse of racquet or officials, without extravagant gestures or prostrating herself on the court at the end. Just grit, determination and good humour. Her sheer and almost inarticulate joy on winning must have endeared her to those in the stadium and the thousands like me who were watching from the comfort of our armchairs at home. Not only does this remarkable young woman have the potential to be a world champion, but her on-court demeanour should be an example to those players, both local and overseas, who feel the need to constantly enliven the game with displays of excessive temperament.
John Tilbrook, Ashwood 
A superb player - when he shuts his mouth
When Nick Kyrgios plays great tennis, he is one of the most uninhibited athletes I have seen. He moves with great athleticism and has a myriad of strokes in his arsenal. Alternatively, when he is challenged by an equally good player, he tends to have a very uninhibited mouth. Nick, it might be time to let your racquet do more of the talking.
Andrew Dowling, Torquay
True fans respect the game and players
I was prepared to consign Nick Kyrgios's behaviour in his match against Tomas Berdych on Friday night to another brat meltdown. But not once I learned his complaint was about music from a corporate area. I once had the misfortune to sit in the seats in front of the corporate boxes on Rod Laver Arena and was completely disturbed by the intrusion of music and loud voices that poured out. These people are clearly not interested in the tennis, or in respecting players and other spectators who have paid - with their own money - to watch matches. Tennis Australia, please take note.
Mary Hind, Brighton
Come one, you cannot be serious
Lleyton Hewitt calls the linesperson a moron during his match against David Ferrer on Thursday, and Nick Kyrgios "verbals" the umpire appallingly over noise. What might John McEnroe have said about all of this?   Maybe, "you're a jerk".
David Sheils, Lillico
Why the dangerous absence of handrails?
The absence of handrails at Rod Laver Arena is a significant risk to older patrons. I was at the Australian Open this week when an older lady fell on the concrete steps, causing play to be delayed for half an hour (The Age, 22/1). I have watched as older patrons have to crouch down and take hold of the edge of chairs to get down the stairs. There is nothing to hold on to if someone falls. If a patron were to topple down the stairs, with others in front of them, a major accident could occur. I had to help my 80-year-old mother, who walks with a cane, down the stairs and it was frightening. My mother said rightly, "This stadium isn't designed for anyone over the age of 60". A large portion of tennis spectators at the Australian Open are older and they should feel safe getting to and from their seats. The instillation of short rails or hoops at the end of each row of seats would help many people and potentially save people from accidents or even death.
Anne Skelly, Abbotsford