Topic: 2012 ATP Australian Open

[sid]

Tennis is a funny sport.

It's a funny old game

[Babblelot]

I wonder how I'd feel about a 6 hour match that started at 3pm CT

For now I feel ambivalent

More impressed with Rafa's come back from the dead performance. That man is superhuman

[sid]

Congrats Alex,great win for Djokovic,even more so after the match with Murray.

[TheEternalCowboy]

No homo, but they should both just play shirtless. 

They are both just saying to themselves "we don't care about KIA just let us go back to the locker room".

Laver hasn't aged in 20 years, but I guess that's not hard when you look 132 years old.
 

[TheEternalCowboy]

Nadal is GOAT of not crying after a tough loss. Take notes, Fed and Murray!

[TheBull]

Bravo Djokovic  but full credit to Nadal for fighting the way he did((If only Federer can do the same)  ). In the meantime, also have to agree with FFF about the state of the game.

[FedFanForever]

Nadal is going to be haunted by that missed backhand at *4-2 30-15. Everything turned on that one point.

[Avatar]

More impressed with Rafa's come back from the dead performance. That man is superhuman

+1

nadal has more will power in his little toe then djokovic does in his entire being. nadals comeback is the real story imo.

[Avatar]

Nadal is going to be haunted by that missed backhand at *4-2 30-15. Everything turned on that one point.

im absolutely devastated. i cant even imagine what rafa must be thinking right now. 

[tennisfan78]

What a match!!! Both players deserved to win!

[foaquin]

superb performance Rafa, hope this lose doesn't affect you

[monstertruck]

It is kind of WTA in men version. Both players go toe to toe on baseline and there is always long rally.

...usually accompanied by some noise from Rafa, not to mention the coaching.

[Gawdblessya]

Whoever would have won this match would have deserved it - and there is no disgrace in losing it for the loser. It was a superb show of focus & determination & each displayed unswerving courage to the end.  And it is an insult to both men to suggest that they did little more than stand their ground. They displayed some excellent tennis too. Not beautiful tennis for the most part, I agree, but some excellent compelling play.

Congratulations to Djokovic, his camp & his fans. This man showed exactly what a great champion is, last year. He came here with the pressure to prove that he isn't simply a "one year" wonder.  And he has answered any questions relating to this title with interest. Not only has he retained his title, but he has done so by beating another great champion who played all out, by remaining focused & showing tremendous self-belief. Djokovic hasn't been in his best form here. The others are no doubt waiting for him to slip so they can capitalise. But they will have to wait some more!  Yet despite his less brilliant form thus far, he got past Murray, who played better than ever, and now Nadal, who gave this match everything he could & more.

The year ahead looks promising for Djokovic to excel again.  Very well done to him. For a champion to retain a GS title is a notable achievement & he can be rightly proud of it.  I expect him to continue to be the man to beat this year.  I'm looking forward to the FO for a start as he'll be hungry to win it too!

Turning to Nadal, he did everything that he could & in the end, was outplayed to get broken.  His courage & commitment cannot be doubted.  Well done to him too. Yet again he has contributed to a memorable GS finals match. Good man he. It is incredible that he is consistently making the finals of the GS's despite being in less than peak form.

It seems to me that the remaining 3 GS finals this year will include these two. Who exactly is going to stop them?

Before I leave, I'd like to congratulate the doubles winners too. For Paes / Stepanek to beat  the amazing Bryan brothers was a great achievment here, in straight sets. Leander Paes has now won a title in all 4 slams.

Until the next time - cheers! 

[monstertruck]

Bravo Djokovic  but full credit to Nadal for fighting the way he did((If only Federer can do the same)  ). In the meantime, also have to agree with FFF about the state of the game.

Ayuh.  Some spectacular points for sure, but the majority of the points are just boring baseline rallies to me.  Hence my extended nap midway through the first set to the beginning of the 4th.  Add in some stalling by both players and it's basically a snooze fest for me.

[monstertruck]

Before I leave, I'd like to congratulate the doubles winners too. For Paes / Stepanek to beat  the amazing Bryan brothers was a great achievment here, in straight sets. Leander Paes has now won a title in all 4 slams.

Tntil the next time - cheers! 

That was one helluva match!!!

[Avatar]

Before I leave, I'd like to congratulate the doubles winners too. For Paes / Stepanek to beat  the amazing Bryan brothers was a great achievment here, in straight sets. Leander Paes has now won a title in all 4 slams.

Tntil the next time - cheers! 

That was one helluva match!!!

they were so pumped when they won i honestly thought they were going to make out!! 

[Avatar]

so does anyone else think this has to be the best match since 2008 wimbledon final??

[TheBull]

Bravo Djokovic  but full credit to Nadal for fighting the way he did((If only Federer can do the same)  ). In the meantime, also have to agree with FFF about the state of the game.

Ayuh.  Some spectacular points for sure, but the majority of the points are just boring baseline rallies to me.  Hence my extended nap midway through the first set to the beginning of the 4th.  Add in some stalling by both players and it's basically a snooze fest for me.

Agreed. For most of the matches, I always skip the first half of the set and then tune into the last few games hoping to catch some drama.

[medwatt]

How many of you thought Nadal would win before the match and after the first and fourth sets.

[Babblelot]

Bravo Djokovic  but full credit to Nadal for fighting the way he did((If only Federer can do the same)  ). In the meantime, also have to agree with FFF about the state of the game.

Ayuh.  Some spectacular points for sure, but the majority of the points are just boring baseline rallies to me.  Hence my extended nap midway through the first set to the beginning of the 4th.  Add in some stalling by both players and it's basically a snooze fest for me.

Modern Tennis = spectacular points and successive go-for-broke shots breaking the monotony of defensive battles waged from well behind the baseline and on super slow courts.