Ash Barty wins, a 6-3, 7-6 (2) victory over Danielle Collins. She ends a 44-year drought; last Australian to win the Open was Chris O’Neil, 1978.
What’s gotten me most about Fed is his unimpeachably classic form. One of the few remaining one-handed backhanders. Forgot who often compared him to Barishnikov out there, and indeed, there was sometimes an almost balletic grace, especially in his lateral movement, that’s absolutely definitive for me.
For Raffa’s game, my dad described it best - simply that he went about his game like with a pickaxe.
Yeah baby! What a comeback, both the tournament as a whole and in the match!
Yes. That was an amazing match.
Heck of a speech from Medvedev.
I’m glad Nadal has reached 21. He is obviously the huge favorite to win the French Open as well. Novak did beat him last year, but it took potentially the greates effort in Novak’s career to do so.
I am 100% OK with Nadal being the record holder for most grand slams. Has he ever had the lead before? I think it’s always been Federer with the other two chasing him.
Bloody PVR recording ran out at beginning of fourth set.
very happy to be proved right on this (though it was one of the world’s easiest predictions)
“What a match! To my friend and great rival @RafaelNadal, heartfelt congratulations on becoming the first man to win 21 grand slam singles titles,” he wrote.
“A few months ago we were joking about both being on crutches. Amazing. Never underestimate a great champion. Your incredible work ethic, dedication and fighting spirit are an inspirational to me and countless others around the world.
“I am proud to share this era with you and honored to play a role in pushing you to achieve more. As you have done for me for the past 18 years. I am sure you have more achievements ahead but for now enjoy this one!”
Novak also congratuated him, saying:
That’s correct, both have always been chasing Federer.
I figured. I think Fed is done at 20. Any predictions for final totals? Sadly, I think Novak might end up with the most still. Nadal can win 2-3 more French Opens? He’s certainly the favorite again this year, even if Novak is in it. Novak had to use every ounce of effort to beat Nadal once there. It will be very hard to do this year.
I actually think France will let Novak in for this year’s tournament.
I think it comes down to whoever can stay the healthiest for the longest period of time. All are capable of still winning. Obviously, odds on Federer are weak due to his age and lengthy absence from the game.
Juan Martin Del Potro is looking like he’s going to retire.
All the feedback coming back is that he is SUPER nice and a great guy. Why couldn’t he have been one of the Big 3 or 4 at the top of tennis?
He was just injured too many times.
Ambled too slowly between serves? (j/k)
I remember one time he was playing Almagro when the latter was about to serve, but then suddenly siezed up, and slowly let himelf down to the ground. On his back, Almagro broke down with racking sobs, completely distraught at not being able to back up again, as Delpo knelt right down beside him for the several minutes that this went on for, his hand on Almagro’s shoulder the whole time, as soliticitous as he could possibly be. Most touching moment I’ve seen on a tennis court.
The newspaper that I work for covers the University of Virginia, where Danielle Collins won a pair of national titles, so I followed her run through the tournament with some interest. Heck, even if she hadn’t attended UVa specifically, I would have been rooting for her. I just get a charge out of the idea that someone who took the relatively normal path of attending college and getting a degree could have success against these tennis machines who are already experienced professionals by the time they turn 18.