If giants were true and not mythical, then the two (2) finalists of the Australian Tennis Open Championship would be among them.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have the same strength, stamina, will power and determination which place them a notch higher than the rest of the tennis world, including my personal favorite Roger Federer.
The Swiss gentleman was put into the lion’s den in one of the tournament’s semi-final matches.
The holder of the most number of Grand Slam titles was thrashed like mince meat by the equally powerful forehand and backhand of the Spaniard.
The result would have been the same if Federer played the Serbian world No. 1.
I am afraid that henceforth, center stage would be reserved for Nadal and Djokovic, until another ingénue comes out of the tennis academies who can hit harder, run faster and be as accurate in hitting the sidelines and the end lines of the tennis court.
I am afraid the 16 slam record of Federer would not be there for long. Either Nadal or Djokovic will overtake him in the next few years. Djokovich and Nadal are showing to us tennis shots never ever seen in any court before.
I am sure Rod Laver, the only man who has won two (2) Grand Slams could only watch in awe as bullet like shots kept crossing the net. And the rallies went on for several eternities, so much so that the five-setter match lasted for almost six (6) hours.
This is where the two tennis giants excel over the competition.
Less than 48 hours before, their respective semi-final matches were no walk in the park either. Djokovic’s match with Murray lasted five sets also. Nadal and Federer’s near epic encounter went on for four sets.
Yet, in the final match, the two finalists were still able to run the length and width of the tennis court.
In the end, the two bloodied gladiators could hardly stand on their feet and were allowed to sit while the sponsors and the organizers kept on patting each others backs, not knowing that if not for the net strap, Nadal and Djokovich would have fallen on the tennis court due to sheer exhaustion.
Usually, the Australian Open does not portend what to expect for the rest of the season. The top players usually do not give too much importance to the event, even if it is a grand slam. But the grand slam of the Asia-Pacific has gained equal stature with the French, Wimbledon and the US Open.
Expect the same fireworks to happen in the other grand slams and bigger tournaments when the giants trot their wares once more.