The Australian Open has just ended, and I am still reeling from the impact of the final matches. I thought the semifinal between Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer a taut and exciting four-setter where every set was close but clearly won by Nadal. Then the other semi-final between Novak Djokovich and Andy Murray turned into a marathon five-set nail biter, won by Djokovich after four hours and fifty minutes.
As Al Jolson used to say, "Folks, you ain't seen nothin' yet!" Today Novak Djokovich barely outlasted Rafa Nadal in five sets---this time. in five hours and fifty-three minutes. Talk about a gladiator war in the Roman Coliseum, this match certainly qualified with two bloody but unbowed warriors barely on their respective feet at the end. Epic, monumental, unforgettable, choose your own awed adjective!
Novak Djokovich has developed all the qualities of a great champion. He won three of the four grand slams last year and has now, with the Australian win again this year,a shot at the calendar grand slam. The only one he failed to win last year was the French where he was upset in the semis by Roger Federer, who in turn lost the final to Nadal. We now have a triumvirate of greatness in Federer, Nadal and add Djockovich.
It was great seeing Rod Laver, the last Grand Slam Champion, on the revewing stand at the cup presentation. Laver won two Grand Slams back in the sixties and might well have won more if he had not been banned from playing for six years in the old days when they banned professionals from playing the grand slams. He won the slam in 1962, turned pro the next year and then won again after they allowed pros to play in 1969.As I've commented before, it's a different game now, technologically and physically. The new racquets are so powerful, and the best guys have the fitness level of Iron Man triathletes.
New game. new times---and still inspiring!
I didn't watch any of the Aussie Open, it's not my game but friends in Australia say it was awesome.
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