Congratulations, Rafa, on your win @ the Australian Open! Now that his first hardcourt grand slam win is under his belt, I'm sure there will be more to follow - I think he'll win the US Open in the new few years and be one of a very few uber-talented men's tennis players to win all four titles and complete the career grand slam. And, the rate @ which his star is rising, he's got a real shot @ overtaking Sampras's impressive 14 grand slam titles. :D Oh, happy day!
History was made on several occasions for many players @ the AO this year - Rafa's first hardcourt grand slam title, the first Spaniard EVER to win the AO - man or woman, the furthest into the draw many players went - Rafa, Simon, Verdasco (what an AMAZING run he had :D), Dokic, the longest men's match ever w/Rafa's and Nando's five hour fourteen minute semifinal match-up, etc. It was some of the most enthralling tennis - the mindblowing points that were played, the physicality of some of the matches (again, Rafa and Nando). I caught myself wondering too many times to count during Rafa's semi and final matches "I wonder if Rafa wonders in amazement at himself sometimes when he plays these mindboggling points?" Sometimes I think he does, I think that maybe he realizes that it was a special point, but does the magnitude of how impossible the points are seem touch him? I don't know.
So, this year's AO was very special. And very surprising. In my mind, I always thought that Murray had been playing the best tennis lately and was a shoo-in to win. Rafa hadn't played in so long and was injured. My heart was always with Rafa, but my head just couldn't get away from Murray's recent dominance. And then Roddick was like a new player. Fast and fit and getting to EVERYTHING. That cheered me. I love to see Roddick play great. But, then Federer was once again playing perfectly, at a level so many can't ever hope to touch. Then Fernando Verdasco beat Murray and then Tsonga and was obviously more fit than ever and playing the best tennis of his life. Week two really started to make a lot of people second and third-guess themselves and their picks. And, of course, Rafa was perfection, playing blistering tennis.
There were several moments in the second week that I was so utterly
torn. I really wanted Roddick to pummel Djokovic in the quarters. Nole's behavior @ last year's US Open really turned me off to him. But, then Novak had to retire and, even though I felt Roddick definitely would have beaten him anyway, I didn't want it to end like that even as glad as I was that Andy moved on to the semis. And, the comments people made about Djokovic's fitness really made me mad and that was a huge surprise to me because I really had thought I didn't like him at all, but there must be at least some respect there because I didn't feel like he deserved the treatment he received. But, then Andy had to face Roger. I wouldn't say I was torn in that match as much as I was heartbroken. Considering Andy's play during his previous matches, I thought it would be much closer.
Then there was Rafa's quartefinal with Simon who has quickly become my second favorite on the men's tour. Even though, all along my heart was with Rafa, that match was the first one that made me truly sad. I wished all during the match that it had at least been the final. I only
thought that was as bad as it would be. But, then Fernando beat Tsonga and that set up the all left-handed Spaniard semifinal. Compatriot vs. compatriot. Most importantly, friend against friend. That match was grueling to watch, even though I wasn't torn by the outcome - I always wanted Rafa to win that match. But, it was just so hard to watch two good friends going at it that way, so intensely. And when Rafa climbed over the net to embrace Fernando and his comments after that match about how it was so difficult because Fernando deserved to win, too . . . so heartbreaking.
The final was so up and down. I was on the edge of my seat all morning watching. Roger didn't look like Roger, not playing as well as he had been. I definitely think Rafa's in his head now, he doesn't feel like he knows how to beat him any more. And then watching Rafa struggle physically and come through it, what a testament to his fitness, but more importantly, to his sheer will. He's so strong mentally, it's even more amazing, I think, than his physical dominance. In the end, Rafa reigned and I relaxed, so ecstatic that he finally had his first hardcourt grand slam! And, then there was the trophy presentation. You could just tell that this loss really affected Roger, that he was definitely hurting, but I didn't expect the scene at the presentation. I certainly did not expect to cry along with him, but, then again, I cry at everything lately. It was heartbreaking to watch him struggle. I still maintain that, the reason losing is so hard for him is because winning is too easy, he doesn't have to work as hard for it as others, so he doesn't appreciate it, he expects it. Whether or not that's true - and, look, I KNOW he has to work hard, he was number one for 4 years straight, you can't do that without hard work, he just makes it
look too easy - that whole scene (once I was finished crying) just
pissed me off! I mean, poor Rafa looked
guilty standing up there, like he was
ashamed to have won the tournament and that's just so wrong. He deserves everything he's gotten - all his success, he's
earned every single bit of it, he works hard, he's a terrific person, polite, respectful, humble. . . He didn't deserve to be made to feel that way or to have to spend half his time during his acceptance consoling Roger. It was just wrong and the only real sour note for me during the whole tournament. But, in the end, the best player won and Rafa remains #1. That's all that counts.
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