Novak Djokovic serving at the Australian Open in 2011, where his rise to dominance began. Will 2015 be a similar year for Nole? Photograph by Christopher Johnson.
Well, my uncle woke me this morning with some great news from Down Under: Novak Djokovic has become the only man in the Open Era to win the Australian Open five times. But I think the big news, too, is that Andy Murray’s back.
He played a fantastic tournament up until the final in which he reverted to some classic Andyisms, including getting angry with himself for not capitalizing on his moments. All that means is that he has to play himself as well as his opponent.
He was gracious in defeat, however, and Nole was equally gracious in victory, wishing Andy and fiancée Kim Sears a happy wedding this year and many children.
I guess we can put to bed, so to speak, the notion that marriage and fatherhood was somehow going to stop Nole. Apart from a flu-ish episode that marred his Mid East tune-up for the Aussie Open and that has lingered somewhat, he’s been spot-on since wilting at the US Open last year.
As for Andy, I think we can put to rest the notion that a male player can’t win with a female coach. He and former French champ Amélie Mauresmo seem to have found their rhythm.
Conclusion: Women are very good for men.
But then, we ladies always knew that.