2015 Brisbane International: Sharapova Takes A Break And Mingles With Sinammon The Koala; Federer Feeds The Wild Dolphins

Maria Sharapova of Russia signs autographs for fans after defeating Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan in their women's singles second round match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane, January 6, 2015. REUTERS/Jason Reed — Maria Sharapova of Russia signs autographs for fans after defeating Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan in their women's singles second round match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane, January 6, 2015. Reuters

Tennis champions Maria Sharapova and Roger Federer are Down Under for one of the season-opening tennis events at Brisbane International. Sharapova and Federer had a few time to spare to mingle and pose for pictures with animals.

Sharapova took a little time off her practice session at Brisbane International to meet with a cute and cuddly koala named Sinnamon. She carried Sinnamon on her chest and cheerfully posed for pictures. Koalas sleep a lot, as much as 20 hours a day, and Sharapova thought it was nice that she was able to hold a koala and be able to bond with one even for just a short while. She also shared snaps of her little meeting with the cuddly creature on her Twitter account.

It wouldn't be the first time that Sharapova has held a koala. "I was actually in Brisbane a couple of years ago and we went to the park and I got to hold a koala for the first time," Sharapova told the reporters. "So I'm getting more comfortable with it."

Sharapova, who received a bye in the first round, kicked off her 2015 season with straight sets victory, 6-0, 6-1, over Kazakh Yaroslava Shvedova in the second round on Jan. 6. Sharapova's next match will be against Spanish Carla Suarez Navarro in the quarterfinals on Jan. 8.

Meanwhile, Sharapova wasn't the only one who had a day off in Brisbane to meet with animals. World No. 2 Roger Federer visited Tangalooma Island Resort on Moreton Island to feed the wild dolphins on Jan. 6. The 17-time Grand Slam champion was joined by his wife Mirka and twin girls Charlene Riva and Myla Rose, and twin boys, Leo and Lenny.

Federer walked through the water as resort guests watched on. He reportedly spent 15 minutes feeding the wild dolphins by hand during his trip to the island.

"Hanging out with dolphins at @Tangalooma," Federer tweeted. "What animals have you met in Qld, #thisisqueensland."

Federer, who was a runner-up in Brisbane last year, will play against Australian wild card John Millman on Jan. 8. To win the tournament will be his goal this year.