The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same

The 2021 Australian Open has been completed and in a huge upset that Novak Djokovic won his ninth Australian Open title but this post won't be about Djokvic as there are other outlets and individuals who can cover his trial and tribulations better than myself.

As we are living through some strange times due to the pandemic this has impacted in all areas of life including professional sport. Australia has done an excellent job in damage limitation of the beer virus. This was due to the regional governments imposing tough restrictions, which were a bone of contention for many people. Successful suppression of the virus was necessary for the event to be held with spectators, where this had not been an option for previous events due to the virus being at higher levels.

Many of the players were not prepared for the strict quarantine measures that were required for the event to go ahead and more imporantly that there was not a community outbreak which is a lot more important than a tennis event. Some players made the best of the situation and others did not handle it all which impacted on their performance. Now, that they have gone through this, they should better equipped to deal with challenges.

Pablo Cuevas Quarantine

As a fan it was a very different experience attending the Covid major. The complex was divided into three zones and the organisers didn't account for tennis fans who want to see everything and bought tickets to more than one zone, as there was no freedom of movement between the zones. People had to scan tickets out of one zone and then travel to another zone to scan in. It wasn't all shit as the numbers were less due to the event being held not in school holidays and limiting numbers made watching tennis a much more confortable experience. In the last few years the Australian Open has become almost unbearable to watch to excess crowds which tend to consist of gronks who go there to be seen and not give a shit about the tennis ruining the experience. Sure, most of the players I like tend not to do as well and that the ruins the experience in other ways.

Tennis


Now the on court stuff, there was some good stuff. The progress of the Prince Jannik Sinner, sure he lost in 5 sets to Shapovalov but his body gave out on him and some questionable tactics on the second serve in the 5th set. He's a kid with a big game and a great attitude, which will stand him in good stead.


Jannik Sinner


The challenge of playing in a home Slam can either lift players to above their regular levels or they can be burdened to the point where they can't play their best tennis. John Millman he wants so badly to do well in Melbourne, but his loss to Moutet was disappointed. Normally the Mailman gets pumped up by the crowd, but there was a lack of energy at his match and also the way he played was more not to lose, than to win. Tennis is not like football where you can play to protect a lead.

Pablo Cuevas and the Seppi match was very difficult to watch. Cuevas with the right draw can do well in the South American clay season, definitely showed some good signs. On the hardcourts, he just doesn't have the firepower to win consistently on the surface. Seppi did not play well, but managed to get some wins this week in Biella. There maybe some hope for another top 100 finish at the end of the year, but he's getting ready for the next phase and time does not wait.

The Gael Monfils breakdown after the loss to young Finn Ruusovori was tough to watch. Before the beer virus he was in good form, then after the return to the tour. He has been unable to win a match and the more he tries, the worse it gets. At his best Monfils is an entertainer and tennis needs characters in the sea of robots. As for how Monfils gets out of the funk. He has to remember why he started playing the game initially. I don't expect him to break Vincent Spadea's record of first round losses.

Aslan Karatsev the man from Ossetia who had been on a tear from last year dominating the Challenger tour. He qualified and ended up winning 5 matches in the main draw to join 4 other players to make the semi finals as a qualifier in a major. The Challenger tour is definitely worth following if you are a fan of the sport, it has a great mix of players. The young ones starting their career, guys who were highly ranked but have dropped down due to injury, loss of confidence and the seasoned battlers. Karatsev has had some issues in the past, but finally having his breakthrough at 27. Now the challenge for him will be to establish himself on the main tour.

Danil Medvedev made another major final but was unable to get the job done. The first set was tight and he really needed to win it, but the bulshit Russian got an early break in the 2nd, which was not confirmed. Djokovic decided to set up and Medvedev capitulated mentally. It's an experience he needs to learn from. The Big 3 have been dominating so long, there are flashes but the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Red card to the absolute shitheads booing the Vic government and the other gronks. Melbourne was lucky to have the event. Those in the crowd wouldn't be there if it wasn't for getting the beer virus under control. Let's be honest the government aren't even close to perfect, but got to pick your moments. Yes, lockdowns are shit but yes as anyone with functioning eyesight knows the alternative is worse

This version of the Australian Open will be memorable for many reasons. There were fans, no fans, fans again, some good tennis and some rubbish. I don't think 2022 will be like this. On that note I'd like to give a shout out to Lance and Owen, you two cats love the sport, do it with humour and cynicism which always makes it a pleasure to see you at the event. Hope next year we are doing qualies in Melbourne. Andres it was great meeting you. The great men Seppi and Cuevas no matter the result and also super coach Stephane Robert who wins at life.