We’re into Day 4 of the Australian Open!
The Australian Open is the red-headed stepchild of the Grand Slams. It’s so early in the season that the best players often aren’t in top form yet. It’s a duplicate surface, so there’s no niche appeal for the style of play. It’s in such a far-flung timezone that it’s basically impossible to watch a live match. And watching sports when you already know the results is a deflated experience.
Even so, I love the Aussie Open. It’s low key and utterly lacking in self-importance. The Australian fans are more animated than the Brits or the French, but not as raucous as the New Yorkers. And because it sneaks up on the players early in the calendar, you sometimes get surprising results. Stan Wawrinka broke through there in 2014. Marcus Baghdatis, Jo Tsonga, and Fernando Gonzalez all came close.
Just about anything can happen in Melbourne.
Though, what usually happens is that the best player with the most ardent commitment to fitness is crowned champion, because his advantage over the rest of the field is magnified early in the season. Which is why Djokovic and Federer have, between then, won 10 of the last 12 titles. Oh well. You can’t have everything.
