Five Conclusions from the Australian Open Final
NOVAK Djokovic won a five set thriller in the early hours of the morning down-under to confirm his place at the top of men’s tennis.
Overcoming incredible tiredness and the fatigue of a five-hour semi-final epic against Andy Murray, Djokovic eventually won out 7-5 in the decider to claim his third Grand Slam title in a row.
The Australian Open, a traditional start to the tennis calendar has filled fans of the sport with plenty of hope for the coming year. There is healthy competition amongst the world top players for each one of the three remaining major Championships up for grabs in 2012, and there is also the added carrot of an Olympic gold medal at stake when many of the world’s best will take part in July’s London Games.
For now though, here is what the six-hour battle between the Djokovic and Nadal has taught us….
* Starting 2011, many people questioned how consistent the worlds then number three player, Novak Djokovic, could be; what a difference twelve months has made.
Undoubtedly the best tennis player on the planet right now, the Serbian star seems to be Nadal’s kryptonite, particularly in the big moments. The last seven matches between the two have all been finals, and Djokovic has claimed victory in every single one. On Sunday, Nadal became the first player to lose three Grand Slam finals in a row, and Djokovic tied with several other legends as the winner of three consecutive major titles.
No-Djo’s game is most suited to play against the high top-spin play of Nadal, and capitalising on the Spaniard’s only arguable weakness, his serve, is Djokovic’s strength. After a tentative start, the world number one began to force Nadal onto the back foot during each and every service game with some excellent deep returns. The Spaniard could do little to cope with speedy returns heading back in his direction and was forced to play much of the game from behind the baseline.
* Although his conqueror seemingly has ‘his number’, credit Nadal for his unwillingness to surrender. He will have been hoping to face the Serb who beat him at Wimbledon and at the US Open during 2011, and with Murray and Djokovic going through a five-hour tussle a day after Nadal defeated Federer in four sets, things look set up for the Spaniard to win back his Championship.
It wasn’t to be however, and although he won the first set and looked to have the momentum during the fourth and fifth sets, Rafa will be disappointed at being 4-2 up in the deciding set and allowing his exhausted opponent to come back into the match.
Nadal’s standout qualities have always been his incredible topspin, his powerful forehand and his ability to never seemingly be out of any point during the game, Djokovic appears Nadal’s equal in stamina and ‘bounce-back-ability’ as well as being un-afraid to attack his opponents forehand, even on crucial points.
* Djokovic should now be considered amongst the favourites for the French Open for a number of reasons. Firstly, thanks to his status as the world’s number one, and current form player. Secondly because he was an extra-ordinary Roger Federer performance away from reaching the Roland Garros final in 2011, and finally because he twice defeated Nadal on clay (in Rome and in Madrid) demonstrating that he is at least the Spaniard’s equal on his least favourite surface.
Both Masters events victories will have given the Serb confidence, and although both wins came in three set matches, there is likely to be much anticipation as the second major tournament of the year builds up to its beginning.
Much like in 2008 when Nadal finally proved he could match Federer on grass as well as clay, perhaps the 2012 French Open will be a ‘changing of the guard’ as Djokovic continues to improve as a clay court player.
* Nadal revealed in late-2011 that he would take time off from the game between the Australian and French Open, but will his battered body have time to heal ahead of a packed schedule which includes the London 2012 Olympic Games?
The Spaniard suffered last year with knee and back injuries which saw him play at less than 100% but questions remain about how a lay-off will affect his performances. Djokovic looked like the player most in need of a rest as the final set of the Australian Open played out, but whilst he will continue his build-up to the French Open on the court, Nadal will be resting himself. Perhaps the break will help the world number two prepare himself for facing the tough challenge he may face from Djokovic, and having stewed over defeat at the US Open in September until the Melbourne Final on Sunday, will Rafa want revenge even worse should they meet again in Paris.
* Has there ever been a more competitive and more compelling quartet at the top of the men’s tennis game?
The 80’s had Borg and McEnroe, the 90’s has Sampras and Agassi, and the 00’s had Federer and Nadal, but never have there been four superbly deserving player at the top of their game, three of whom are in their prime.
Each and every tournament this year could have the same players lined up in the semi-final, and that could lead to some more epic matches like the Australian Open Final.
Each player, it seems, is balanced with strengths and weaknesses, and each has the ability to beat the other three on any given day. Their equal strength on each of the four surfaces despite their differing styles of play makes the intregue before each event grow stronger.
Sunday’s final appeared to push Nadal and Djokovic slightly ahead of Murray and Federer but the Scot and the Swiss are unlikely to give up their chase of major championships anytime soon.
Murray pushed Djokovic to the brink of elimination in their marathon semi-final and during the first set of their match, Roger Federer looked like he would finally be able to overcome Nadal in Grand Slam event.
Although the world number one and two won out eventually, to meet in the final, there are sure to be plenty more majors to be shared out between this group of four phenomenally talented players.
Overcoming incredible tiredness and the fatigue of a five-hour semi-final epic against Andy Murray, Djokovic eventually won out 7-5 in the decider to claim his third Grand Slam title in a row.
The Australian Open, a traditional start to the tennis calendar has filled fans of the sport with plenty of hope for the coming year. There is healthy competition amongst the world top players for each one of the three remaining major Championships up for grabs in 2012, and there is also the added carrot of an Olympic gold medal at stake when many of the world’s best will take part in July’s London Games.
For now though, here is what the six-hour battle between the Djokovic and Nadal has taught us….
* Starting 2011, many people questioned how consistent the worlds then number three player, Novak Djokovic, could be; what a difference twelve months has made.
Undoubtedly the best tennis player on the planet right now, the Serbian star seems to be Nadal’s kryptonite, particularly in the big moments. The last seven matches between the two have all been finals, and Djokovic has claimed victory in every single one. On Sunday, Nadal became the first player to lose three Grand Slam finals in a row, and Djokovic tied with several other legends as the winner of three consecutive major titles.
No-Djo’s game is most suited to play against the high top-spin play of Nadal, and capitalising on the Spaniard’s only arguable weakness, his serve, is Djokovic’s strength. After a tentative start, the world number one began to force Nadal onto the back foot during each and every service game with some excellent deep returns. The Spaniard could do little to cope with speedy returns heading back in his direction and was forced to play much of the game from behind the baseline.
* Although his conqueror seemingly has ‘his number’, credit Nadal for his unwillingness to surrender. He will have been hoping to face the Serb who beat him at Wimbledon and at the US Open during 2011, and with Murray and Djokovic going through a five-hour tussle a day after Nadal defeated Federer in four sets, things look set up for the Spaniard to win back his Championship.
It wasn’t to be however, and although he won the first set and looked to have the momentum during the fourth and fifth sets, Rafa will be disappointed at being 4-2 up in the deciding set and allowing his exhausted opponent to come back into the match.
Nadal’s standout qualities have always been his incredible topspin, his powerful forehand and his ability to never seemingly be out of any point during the game, Djokovic appears Nadal’s equal in stamina and ‘bounce-back-ability’ as well as being un-afraid to attack his opponents forehand, even on crucial points.
* Djokovic should now be considered amongst the favourites for the French Open for a number of reasons. Firstly, thanks to his status as the world’s number one, and current form player. Secondly because he was an extra-ordinary Roger Federer performance away from reaching the Roland Garros final in 2011, and finally because he twice defeated Nadal on clay (in Rome and in Madrid) demonstrating that he is at least the Spaniard’s equal on his least favourite surface.
Both Masters events victories will have given the Serb confidence, and although both wins came in three set matches, there is likely to be much anticipation as the second major tournament of the year builds up to its beginning.
Much like in 2008 when Nadal finally proved he could match Federer on grass as well as clay, perhaps the 2012 French Open will be a ‘changing of the guard’ as Djokovic continues to improve as a clay court player.
* Nadal revealed in late-2011 that he would take time off from the game between the Australian and French Open, but will his battered body have time to heal ahead of a packed schedule which includes the London 2012 Olympic Games?
The Spaniard suffered last year with knee and back injuries which saw him play at less than 100% but questions remain about how a lay-off will affect his performances. Djokovic looked like the player most in need of a rest as the final set of the Australian Open played out, but whilst he will continue his build-up to the French Open on the court, Nadal will be resting himself. Perhaps the break will help the world number two prepare himself for facing the tough challenge he may face from Djokovic, and having stewed over defeat at the US Open in September until the Melbourne Final on Sunday, will Rafa want revenge even worse should they meet again in Paris.
* Has there ever been a more competitive and more compelling quartet at the top of the men’s tennis game?
The 80’s had Borg and McEnroe, the 90’s has Sampras and Agassi, and the 00’s had Federer and Nadal, but never have there been four superbly deserving player at the top of their game, three of whom are in their prime.
Each and every tournament this year could have the same players lined up in the semi-final, and that could lead to some more epic matches like the Australian Open Final.
Each player, it seems, is balanced with strengths and weaknesses, and each has the ability to beat the other three on any given day. Their equal strength on each of the four surfaces despite their differing styles of play makes the intregue before each event grow stronger.
Sunday’s final appeared to push Nadal and Djokovic slightly ahead of Murray and Federer but the Scot and the Swiss are unlikely to give up their chase of major championships anytime soon.
Murray pushed Djokovic to the brink of elimination in their marathon semi-final and during the first set of their match, Roger Federer looked like he would finally be able to overcome Nadal in Grand Slam event.
Although the world number one and two won out eventually, to meet in the final, there are sure to be plenty more majors to be shared out between this group of four phenomenally talented players.