Australian Open: Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal still rule tennis
For those who wonder how long Federer and Nadal can keep dominating the world of tennis, there is nothing to suggest their hunger has diminished.
The call it Melbourne mania. The first month of each year, which also happens to be very important from the tennis calendar point of view, champions and journeymen converge for the Australian Open.
With most players coming from Europe and cooler countries, competing in the heat Down Under is extremely tough. As the first week programme peaked, two men who define greatness in men’s tennis – Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal – crossed the first three rounds with assurance and authority.
Middle Sunday, which at Wimbledon is meant to be one for rest and prayer, is different in Melbourne. Tennis action just does not stop, as Nadal will be competing in the fourth round in gruelling heat at 2:30 pm local time. One cannot complain about conditions in the southern hemisphere in January.
If a tennis player is coming to play in January, be it an ATP Tour event, the Hopman Cup or the first Grand Slam, you have to be extremely fit. Last week, the mercury rose dangerously above 40 degrees Celsius twice in the day and then cooled down at night. Federer had no reason to complain as he is the special man here. He gets to play in the Rod Laver arena, named after the most famous Australian tennis champion, under arc lights.
In contrast, Nadal has not been so lucky, prompting him to make a few remarks about how some players get special treatment. As much as you can sympathise with the Spaniard, each Grand Slam has special places for their champions. Perhaps, that’s why at Wimbledon, the top guns play on Centre Court and even rain breaks do not matter as the retractable roof is rolled out.
Tennis can never be played as a standardised sport. Heat on court, wind, humidity, different playing surfaces, it’s all a package deal. Federer looks more than compact after three rounds, prompting old-timers to talk about how he can possibly go for his 20th Grand Slam title now.
On Saturday, Federer was full of poise as he dismantled Richard Gasquet in straight sets and could afford a smile. For those who have seen Federer now for over 17 years at his peak, he is a man at peace with himself.
When the Australian Open began, Federer had said that to talk of someone his age (36 years plus) as the favourite was not appropriate. A Federer fan would rarely disagree with the Swiss master, but certainly for a man now close to 37, his tennis is magic and he does look the favourite. The way he has preserved himself is unique. Not trying to play week after week, but be selective about the tournaments and peak at the Majors.
On Friday, Federer said tennis is changing and players waste little time in grabbing the opportunity on court, not like the old timers when they would wait for the opening. As one who plays complete tennis and has mastered the hard courts and grass, Federer is now conserving himself and at the same time not giving an opponent like Gasquet much of a chance.
He knows the second week in Melbourne will be much harder and it will be all about how well he can play sublime tennis. Nadal, too, has looked in good touch and there is nothing to suggest that the knee injury is bothering him. His loss to Federer last year in the Australian Open final was benumbing.
Yet, the World No.1 knows he has plenty of fans cheering for him and even on Sunday he can fancy his chances in the fourth round. So, where does that leave the rest of the field in the men's section? Novak Djokovic is not putting pressure on himself and has also cruised to the fourth round. He has won six Australian Open titles before and will be hoping to change gears smoothly the coming week.
On his part, local hero Nick Kyrgios has also been playing hard tennis, with fiery aces and strong shots off the ground catching the eye. He has been moody and unpredictable in the past but his maiden fourth round appearance at the Australian Open is good news for Aussie fans. For those who wonder how long Federer and Nadal can keep dominating the world of tennis, there is nothing to suggest their hunger has diminished.
They look as focused as ever and if the next generation of players wants to make their presence felt, they will have to work much harder. Tennis on the hard courts is extremely demanding and what is praiseworthy is how Federer and Nadal have kept going. They have shown fitness is not about doing more miles on the treadmill or pumping iron. There is method to the madness which they follow in strict training regimens and keeping calm, Down Under.