MELBOURNE—One piece of advice for ticket-buyers at the Aussie Open: Think twice before you pick up one for Rod Laver Arena during the day, at least through the first week. For every Tomic-Verdasco thriller, there have been five blowouts by Maria Sharapova, Kim Clijsters, and Novak Djokovic. Like Flushing Meadows, the rest of the grounds can get pretty crowded because of the total lack of action in the main stadium.
But there was action on the grounds, around the practice courts, in the big side stadium now known as Hisense Arena, in the press room, and, of course, wherever beer was sold. More so than at the other majors, the Australian Open seems to be a place to come and hang and socialize and not necessarily watch a ton of tennis.
See my Racquet Reactions for last night's Hewitt-Raonic and Serena matches here.
“OK, I will choose my next words very carefully (laughter). Well, I don’t know. I guess, yes. We should all have equal rights. But I am not thinking about that too much. I guess, you know, women are more attractive than we are. They have a lot more to show . . . ”
What is Novak Djokovic talking about? The usual stuff at a post-match press conference. He’s been asked whether men should be able to pose in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. He can’t seem to decide.
We’ve heard a lot lately about how upbeat Roger Federer still is about his career, even after a dozen years of the world-tour grind. It’s his secret weapon, more than one of us has theorized. Unlike virtually every other veteran champ, Federer never seems to burn out. He’s blessed with an upbeat view of life, and never loses his perspective on how good he has it. On court, it seems to keep him from getting too anxious.
At this Australian Open, though, Djokovic’s outlook and demeanor have been equally impressive, and, off the court at least, notably sunny. That’s not surprising considering the season he had in 2011, but it is surprising considering the way he ended it. The weight of the world that Djokovic carried around Basel and London has been lifted. In pre-tournament benefit events and exhibitions, he’s the class clown. In practice, you’ll find him trying trick shots. In press conferences, no question is too stupid or repetitive to be answered with good-humored sincerity. I’ve personally heard him asked about his 2011 season way too many times; I can’t imagine how he feels. But he never shows any annoyance when he’s asked again.
Of course, moods and attitudes can change in a heartbeat on court, and most players would be in all smiles if they gave up two games in three sets to their third-round opponent. But it goes beyond that for Djokovic right now. A reporter brought up the subject with him today:
"Some people might think that after what you achieved last year, coming into a new year it might be perhaps a burden, something heavy on your shoulders. You seem to be in a sort of chirpy, relaxed mood."
Djokovic credited his team first. “They’re helping me keep a very simple style of life,” which makes it easier to concentrate. It's been said before that one of the reasons for Djokovic's success is that he learned to manage his off-court life and organize his support team better.
In the end, though, Djokovic said it came down mainly to being in his prime. “I’m 24," he said. "I feel that I’m playing the best tennis of my life. I’m at the peak. So I should use every moment and enjoy my tennis.”
“[Joyful, indecipherable outburst in Serbian]”
Ana Ivanovic has just hit a crosscourt forehand winner. She has followed the shot by lifting both arms high in the air, in a celebration I’ve never seen from her before, and which I hope I won’t have to see too many times again.
Ivanovic is hitting her forehand well. Not just the one she usually hits well, the one where she has time to set up, but the one where she’s rushed and has to react. She’s taking Vania King’s best shots and knocking them back with authority.
Ivanovic has been working on that forehand, and the footwork that goes with it, with coach Nigel Sears. He had her hitting it from all parts of the court the other day in practice. It’s one more new start for Ana—she says “she’s going back to basics,” and simplifying her life and game. It’s worked here so far; Ivanovic, after many ups and downs over the last three years, is in the round of 16 at the Aussie Open.
Hisense Arena, the roofed stadium where Ivanovic faces Vania King today, can seem isolated from the rest of Melbourne Park. Antiseptic is the word you hear used to describe it most often. But after a week of milling through face-painted crowds and waiting in long lines to get into small courts, Hisense feels good, relaxing, civilized, far from the madding crowds.
I came here to watch Ivanovic, but by the end of the first set I find that I’ve switched over to the other side of the net. I’m watching more of her opponent, King. The Californian’s quickness, her quiet swing, the way she crouches wide to spring into her return, her spark around the court: It feels fresh today. There are no slowdowns of fist-pumps or you-better-believe-I’m-intense looks between points. Maybe because King feels like she has little to lose, she doesn’t go into a rage with each mistake. It’s nice to watch; doesn’t stress you out the way some players can. Of course, King loses in straights. Maybe she should have tried a meltdown.
Ivanovic moves on to play Kvitova. What's going to happen? I'll leave it to Ivanovic to guess:
"The better player will win."