The Day After The Titanic AO Final

Yesterday (Monday) we had a general strike in Belgium. No public transport on the coldest day of the year so far. Consequence: I had to walk a total of 2,5 hours through downtown Brussels to make my appointments. Brrrrrrrr... and while I was walking through the cold, I thought of the AO Final to keep myself warm. "If they can spend 6 hours running and hitting balls in the scorching heat, then I can walk calmly and have a coffee every now and then today. Be strong!", is what I was telling myself.

Of course, thinking about the match, I always came back to that missed easy backhand of Nadal's at 4-2 in the fifth set. I wondered if Nadal also kept thinking about it, or if he really was that cool about it. That shot decided the match. That was the one shot that gave Djokovic hope. This is Tennis. You are down, then you win a point you didn#t deserve, and you are back. Tennis is amazing. Tennis is cruel.

However, there is one fact: Djokovic was the better player during the whole match. Nadal came back to win the fourth set because HE HAS BIGGER COJONES THAN ANY OTHER SPORTSPERSON IN THE WORLD. Nadal's achievements are breathtaking. He, Djokovic and Federer, all three of them have taken Tennis to another level. I wouldn't want to miss anyone of them.

In the Sunday final, the first three hours were of medium quality. It is astonishing that these players need three hours to warm up, only to play their best tennis in the three hours that follow.

The final will be remembered forever. I really hope Nadal thinks the right things and doesn't give up. he was so close. But he has to improve still. Generate more power with his groundstrokes. Don't go three metres behind the baseline. Play the return deep into the middle of the court, to give Djokovic no angles, and build the point from there.

As a fan, I thank both players for giving it all in that match, and making us proud of witnessing these exciting times in men's tennis.

As for me, I lost a match yesterday I should have won. 5-3, 40-30 up, own serve. I lost 5-7, as it always happens when I have a big lead. I have a long history with that. As you see, i have some mental work to do as well.

@AtleticoDave

PS.: Congrats to Azarenka for her well-deserved title. I would write more about it, but her opponent in the final displayed an unworthy performance.

AO Day 11: Fireworks over and on Rod Laver Arena

I was looking forward to them all week. In fact, the fireworks on Australia Day are, imho, an indispensable part of the Aussie Open. However, as it turned out, most people on Twitter, online Tennis Forums etc did not appreciate them.

They felt that it is a sin to have fireworks interrupt a match between the two best players the game has ever seen.

I don't agree with them.

Every year, a spectacular match is interrupted on January 26. It lasts 10-15 minutes, and then it's over. Certainly, the interruption is long. But these players are pros. They must cope with it.

I don't think that the firework haters where complaining years ago when Baghdatis, Nalbandian, Tsonga or Blake had to "endure" the break. The last thing we need in Tennis were double standards. I enjoy the TV coverage of the fireworks, seeing Melbourne from a new perspective. The players should take a break, rethink their tactics, stay warm. Just like in earlier times when the third set of a Davis Cup match was over.

However, i feel that the fireworks should wait until a set is finished. They didn't help Federer, who was 5-2 down at that moment, and lost 11 straight points after the break.

Anyway, the fireworks won't create any controversy. The best fireworks were seen on the beautiful blue court of Rod Laver Arena. Federer and Nadal played a great match. Not superhumanly fantastic like the Wimbledon final 2008, but still great. Suspense, long rallies, superb shotmaking. It lived up to expectations. Rafa won because he was feistier, because once again he believed more in himself than Roger did. And because again Roger could not hold his Unforced Error rate down. Too many missed longline forehands, too many backhand returns floating out of view.

There's no denying that playing Rafa is a mental issue for Federer. He looks confident and superior against anyone else, but doubtful and hesitant against Rafa. How can he beat him?
It is a mystery. Roger has all he needs to beat him. For years I believe that the best way for him to win points against Rafa would be to use a short flat slice to Rafa's backhand. Make Rafa approach the net, lure him out of his comfort zone, then pass or lob him. Sounds easier than it is. But if there is a man who can do this, it is Roger.

He will get another chance.

For now, it's Rafa in the final. Everyone is already talking about him taking on Djokovic. But I don't rule out Murray. he has something to prove, and a lust for revenge raging in his belly. I feel Andy can do it.

We will see. Let's hope for another great match!

PS.: Well done to Vika Azarenka for her first GS Final !!

@AtleticoDave