Grand Slam into Melbourne

Vineet Sharma A game with a prolific history that dates back to the early 11th century France, tennis has permeated into the otherwise nonchalant bourgeoisie since the second half of the 20th century. The 21st century continues to mesmerize us with even higher standards being set, and constantly achieved. The new decade smashes open with the Australian courts acquiring centrestage as the world’s best congregate to show us what they have in store for the year 2010. The Australian Open has always been a stepping stone to stardom for an array of tennis aces, be it Rod Laver, Martina Hingis, Steffi Graph, Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer…the list goes on. It is on the courts of Australian Open that the Nadal-Federer rivalry will ensue, only this time the lesser mortals too have their stake to the crown with Djokovic, Del Potro and Tommy Haas hitting a purple patch of form. On the ladies front, the return of Justine Henin to the Grand Slam arena will add a new dimension to the women’s game and her Belgian counterpart, the phoenix Kim Clijsters will be turning a few heads too. To this cauldron of intense action, there is even more excitement in store with the William sisters, Jelena Jankovic and Sharapova staking their claim to supremacy as well. Last year saw the ever so elegant Federer fighting his ghosts and telling the world that he was someone who could not be even remotely written off from the top contenders for any tournament, overcoming his bad patch of form to stun the world and reclaim his No.1 ranking. This time, Rafa would like to turn the tables and have his time under the sun too. The hardcourts of Melbourne offer him the right environs to assert his game and have the upper hand from the first Grand Slam itself. The arena was the testimony to purgation with fire in 1969 itself, its first time on the world scene with Rod Laver’s semifinal victory over Tony Roche that was played in an unimaginable 105-degree Fahrenheit heat at a time when sports drinks and coolers were not even heard of. Their contest dragged on for more than four hours, 7-5, 22-20, 9-11, 1-6, 6-3, with both players putting wet cabbage leaves in their hats to help them keep cool. The tradition of sweat and toil has only grown over the years with the legendary Bjorn Borg denouncing the tourney saying, “I was trying to make a statement. My point was that a player requires some time to himself. He can’t keep rushing from one court to another all the time without a break.” Monica Seles brought down the public opinion with her winning of the crown in 1991 and Pete Sampras’ ascendancy to the hilt with Jim Courier ending his era, handling down the American reins to another fellow compatriot. It was indeed a golden era for US tennis with the two, along with Michael Chang ruling the roost till a certain Roger Federer came to spoil the party. With the hopes riding high, there was much riding on Andre Agassi’s final triumph over Rainer Schuettler in 2003. Not only was it his third Oz title in four years, but a gamble on the outcome meant wife Steffi Graf had to play in the French Open mixed doubles with him, which she didn’t. Agassi reclaimed the world No.1 ranking and the title was his eighth and final Slam victory. The Australian Open 2009 had it all for the enthusiasts of the ladies game as Jelena Dokic, putting past troubles behind her with a barnstorming run to the quarterfinals at Melbourne Park. A wildcard, she fought past three seeded players –Anna Chakvetadze, Caroline Wozniacki and Alisa Kleybanova – en route and, once there, she played one of the most enthralling matches of the women’s event, taking Dinara Safina to three tight sets. Ultimately it was Serena Williams who took the women’s singles honours, however, defeating Safina in the final for her fourth Australian Open title. With such a history behind it, and a future to look forward to, one of the world’s best and most entertaining Grand Slams, the Australian Open, will leave all spell bound and enthralled at the end. It is something that can be guaranteed and shall be delivered. Period.