What a memorable Australian Open it was this year. Four matches — two men’s semi-finals and the two finals — were nothing short of legendary.
10-SETTER SEMIS
On Friday, 30 January, the two semi-finals lasted a combined 9 hours and 36 minutes — a new record for the Australian Open and the third longest in Grand Slam history.
In the first, Carlos Alcaraz beat Alexander Zverev in a grueling five-set battle: 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5. It lasted 5 hours and 27 minutes.
By the time Novak Djokovic beat Jannik Sinner 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, it was nearly 1:30 am! The midnight madness, as they call it!
Both matches were "touch and go," with contests so even that it felt unfair someone had to lose. Interestingly, this year’s semi-finals saw both last year’s winner (Sinner) and the runner-up (Zverev) knocked out.
COMPOSURE VS FURY
On Saturday, 31 January, Elena Rybakina won her second Slam by defeating the favourite, Aryna Sabalenka, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
From the start, Sabalenka lacked her usual confidence, while Rybakina remained her signature "ice-cool" self. Though Sabalenka showed flashes of brilliance to take the second set, she lost her grip in the third set. Even after leading 3-0 in the decider, the tide turned abruptly. Rybakina clawed her way back to seal a remarkable victory.
A GENERATIONAL BATTLE
Yesterday’s final was a true "clash of the ages": Djokovic at 38 versus Alcaraz at just 22.
To put that in perspective, when Djokovic made his Grand Slam debut in Melbourne in 2005, Alcaraz was a mere two-year-old!
While Alcaraz was the favourite, I had stuck my neck out for Djokovic. Having played 10 Australian Open finals and lost none, and having come this far this year, I thought he would pull it off!
The match was pure entertainment. Djokovic dominated the first set 6-2, but then from the second set onwards Alcaraz waved his magic wand.
Djokovic began to struggle with unforced errors, while Alcaraz’s winners were extraordinary. He was hitting spots with incredible class.
Djokovic lost the second set and the third. I thought, the loss of the third pretty much sealed his fate. Because, he would have had to win the fourth and the fifth, and I wondered if he had in him to last another five-setter so soon after his semi-final marathon.
ALCARAZ SETTLES IT
In the fourth, Djokovic seemed to have regained energy, and until Game 11, they were going neck and neck, with the score at 5-6.
In Game 12, serving to stay in the set, and force a tie-break, Djokovic finally faltered. Alcaraz wrapped it up at 7-5.
NEW RECORDS
With this victory, Alcaraz became the youngest man in history to complete a Career Grand Slam at 22 years and 272 days, surpassing American Don Budge’s 1938 record. (Budge, incidentally, was the first player ever to win all four Slams in a single calendar year).
Djokovic received a standing ovation. Even in defeat, he set a record. At 38 years and 255 days, he became the oldest man to reach the final of Australian Open.
While it’s uncertain if Djokovic will ever get this close to winning a Slam, he is not a man who gives up easily. However, what we saw at Melbourne Park yesterday was, in every sense, like the passing of the baton.
Kudos to Djokovic for putting up a tough fight, and making the final worth watching!
MORE THAN ABOUT CHAMPIONS
This Australian Open will be remembered not just for its champions, but for its endurance, emotion, and symbolism.
From record-setting semifinal marathons to a women’s final decided by nerve and resilience, and a men’s final that felt like a generational handover, Melbourne Park gave tennis fans everything.
(All images: courtesy https://ausopen.com/)
Professional tennis players are astonishing for their stamina and their ability to turn a match around. Djokovic is an old man in sporting terms - I wonder if he will retire now?
ReplyDeleteTrue, their ability to hang in there for hours and come up with brilliant strokes is simply amazing!
DeleteI think Djokovic will keep playing until he has the stamina and is able to reach at least the quarterfinals.
Hari Om
ReplyDeleteYes, even last year I was thinking Alcaraz was setting the bar. He's here for the long haul... YAM xx
Yes, I too think so. He has a long road ahead.
DeleteWhat stood out to me was the sheer physical and mental brutality of the semis. Then the final felt like a real generational moment, with Djocovic being pushed aside by fearless Alcaraz.
ReplyDeleteYes, very true. After the semis, I was telling one of my friends that the semis were more than like a final!
DeleteI have always told you... and I say again, I thoroughly enjoy your blogs regarding all of the sports that you enjoy. I read therm all and enjoy your opinions and how you state them.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Katie :-)
DeleteSounds exciting.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was!
DeleteAlways loved to watch this on TV especially when it is live.
ReplyDeleteHi Pradeep - I live in Australia but couldn't have told you who won the tennis. I did remember that it was happening, but that's as far as my sports knowledge extended. It was nice to read your wrap-up and to have saved watching until 1:30am to know who'd win!
ReplyDeleteTennis is a game of endurance where skills are nearly equal. It is hard to expect the the one older by more than 15 years to win. Only a few resist the temptation to linger. It is better to quit in glory when one can and not when one must in poor shape
ReplyDeleteThanks to ur post, now I know the names of some players who play tennis now :)
ReplyDelete