MELBOURNE—That the tennis year starts off with a major event often triggers a sonic boom-like effect. Here are a few lessons and plot lines that emerged from the Australian Open worth paying attention to as 2019 unfolds.
Naomi Osaka: World Meets Girl
What now is to come for someone who has rapidly become contemporary tennis’ most intriguing personality? It’s hard to imagine the extent of the opportunities headed this young woman’s way—endorsements, appearances, cross-over exposure in every corner of the planet. Pressure is a privilege—and Osaka is about to have a hearty dose of each. As she comes under the microscope, how will Osaka cope both inside and outside the lines?
Roger Federer: Subtle But Significant
The desire to celebrate Roger Federer’s brilliance is so strong that his vast, adoring public might not want to admit how in the last year he has declined ever so slightly. But Federer’s exit from Melbourne was the third straight time he’d been defeated at a Slam at an earlier stage by losing a match he saw slip through his hands versus a lesser-ranked player. But Federer will remain glorious to watch. He’s classy in his manner and has been so successful that he must be considered a contender at any tournament he enters. However, while Federer has slowed time, even he can’t stop it.
Many Ways to Skin a Cat
The prevalent playing style of recent years has been forceful attrition, personified by such champions as Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, Angelique Kerber and Simona Halep. But many of the players who sparked things up in Melbourne—Ashleigh Barty, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Frances Tiafoe, Anastasija Sevastova, Su Wei Hsieh—showed that there are different ways to approach technique and tactics. Besides paying attention to these five as the year rolls, it will be interesting to see in 2019 and beyond if aspiring players and their coaches (and parents) recognize that there are many ways to forge an effective playing style.
American Women: Comfortable But Not Quite Rich
It’s an interesting time for American women. Nobody would have predicted Danielle Collins would be the one to make the deepest run in Melbourne. Does this mean Collins can continue to rise? A bigger question: Was it a given that Serena Williams would fare better Down Under than Sloane Stephens or Madison Keys? Frustrated as Williams has been at the close of her last three majors, her record at them is a fine 16-3 and each loss has been to someone who played lights-out tennis. In short: look out for Serena. Stephens and Keys have surely learned from their Melbourne setbacks and one hopes to see them dig in at smaller events as building blocks for better runs at the majors.
She Who Serves Best Fares Best
The sober truth is that a great many of the top women’s players of recent years have had negligible serves. But in Australia, three of the last four standing—Osaka, Petra Kvitova, Karolina Pliskova—all have terrific motions and deliveries. Add Williams and Keys to that mix and you have a teaching moment.
Wondering About Zverev & Svitolina
Much was expected when each of these two Top 10 mainstays won their respective tour’s season-ending championship. But once again, each went out of a major with a whimper, Zverev in straight sets to Milos Raonic in the round of 16, Svitolina in the quarters to Osaka by the downward score of 6-4, 6-1. Between them, Zverev and Svitolina have won 23 singles titles—but neither has yet to reach a Grand Slam semi. Will that ever happen?
What of Murray, Wawrinka and del Potro?
Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have gobbled up a staggering 52 Grand Slam titles and their possibilities remain bright. But for three others who have also won majors, the lights have dimmed. Andy Murray will be retired by the end of Wimbledon. That endearing latebloomer, Stan Wawrinka, fought valiantly in Australia, but has struggled so much with pain that it’s hard to imagine him making another significant run. Meanwhile, Juan Martin del Potro intends to come back—yet again—in February.
The Business of Tennis Grows More Complicated
As a sport of individuals and fiefdoms, the business of tennis has always teemed with behind-the-scenes maneuvering. But in the last couple of years, the pace has accelerated, controversies and acrimony afoot in such tricky subjects as the vast range of team events, compensation, the new transition tour and a potential regime at the top of the ATP.
Novak and Rafa: The Chase Continues
There they are, Djokovic and Nadal, chasing each other all over the court and all over the world. Amazing to think that these two who started the decade at the top of the sport continue to excel as it nears the end. By the time they finish, their rivalry will come close to Navratilova-Evert proportions—among the finest in the history of all sports.
