Australian open 2017

[Marsman]

So... Serena beats Steffi Graf's open era record of 22 Gram Slam titles.

Must admit, I'm a little disappointed by that. It has taken Serena 5-6 more years to equal and beat Steffi's record, and in my opinion, her physicality gives her an advantage. Only Serena's inconsistency has stopped her winning many more.

It is what it is, but for me Steffi's achievement holds more significance.

Anyway; on to the men's final: Federer Vs Nadal.

I think it's been 6 years since they last met in a Grand slam final. Will be great to see the old rivalry renewed, but Federer's record against Nadal is as poor as Murray's against Djokovic. Neither are in their prime any more, but Federer has had an extra day rest and a much less punishing semi final match, which might tell.

Whichever way it goes, let's hope it's a good contest.

Seems quite unique this Australian open. In both finals, 3 players at least 35 years old and both see the return of old rivalries.

 

[Marsman]

Didn't miss anything there did he! Why was Nadal favourite?

Probably because he's 5 years younger, and Federer's time out of the sport.

I didn't think there was a favourite, because Nadal is past his peak; the time when Federer found it a real struggle to beat him. Nadal's style of play has taken it's toll on his body, much more than Federer's has for him.

I'd be very surprised if Nadal were to get to a slam final at 35. Actually, i'll be surprised if his body lasts that long, from a tennis point of view.

I was thinking about this last night. Forget the pre-Federer era (because I had no interest in tennis prior to that) and look at it from Federer's emergence to now. Is it fair to compare titles won by Federer with those won by Nadal or Djokovic?

Nadal and Djokovic have played their entire careers against some of the very greatest in the history of the game - whether that be each other, Federer or ocassionally Murray. Federer on the other hand won 12 Slams by the end of 2007 where, excluding the French Open, he had nobody to challenge him. Obviously he can only beat who's in front of him but had he been a few years younger or one or both of Nadal and Djokovic been a few years older, would he be sitting here with 18 Slams now?

Federer was easily better than anyone else when he won most of his slams. 2008 onward got a lot harder for him due to Nadal and then Djokovic.

Had he started 5 years later and was 30 now, then it's hard to say if he would still get to 18 slams; but, in my opinion, I don't think he would.