Almanac Tennis – The Australian Open 2022: Ash and Rafa

 

 

It’s twenty-four hours after the culmination of the 2022 Australian Open and we have yet to find a post on the Almanac about the tournament (although I hope and expect that Ron Reed will favour us with his take on it all on Friday). Perhaps it’s all too big and too soon to try to encapsulate – fair enough.

 

Do you start with the Djokovic fiasco or do you say “Novak who?” Do you chow down on the Special Ks or recognise them simply as fast food that ultimately fails to satisfy in the long term? The underperforming Osaka and Zverev are an interesting study. How about Dylan Alcott – a most worthy focus but he’ll get his fair share of coverage as Australian of the Year. Danielle Collins is deserving of attention – no coach, limited support but tonnes of grit, courage and character. These (and her gracious speech) earned her the warm and generous post-final reception she so thoroughly deserved. Even the enigmatic, unorthodox and hugely combative Medvedev, in spite of what at times manifests as his seeming incivility, deserves our attention for his sometimes uncomfortable truths (particularly about crowds) and his on-court prowess when his reach and athleticism often force his opponents to win any given point at least two or three times before it registers on the scoreline. Or any number of other players, coaches (Tyzzer and co) or administrators (Tiley).

 

But, in the end, it all comes back to Ash and Rafa, one a hot favourite carrying the weight and expectation of the country on her shoulders, the other an old bull battling the ravages of time but imbued with a determination that will not allow him to give anything but his absolute all.

 

 

 

 

We all know the narrative of each of the singles finals – Barty’s early dominance, Collins’ romp through the first half of the second set, and then Barty’s comeback from the brink that bore all the marks of a true champion. Rafa was gone at two sets to nil down and struggling physically. But he won’t/can’t give in and, at age 35, puts together one of the great comebacks to prevail after 324 minutes in sapping conditions against an opponent 10 years his junior.

 

 

 

 

Both matches were absorbing, engrossing, thrilling, engaging, nerve-wracking…and historic, each in their own way – Barty breaking a 44-year drought, Rafa getting a 21st major.

 

But as wonderful as all of that may have been, what really meant most to me was the way the champion tennis players showed that they are also champion people. Correctly, Dylan Alcott sees Barty, first and foremost, as a champion person who happens to be a very good tennis player. Rafa, the passionate, at times almost brutal and forceful on-court presence, has been equally, over his long and distinguished career, a humble and respectful man who understands the privilege of his situation. In both cases, their post-match comments, their demeanour, their humility, their recognition of those around them, including the tennis public…simply beautiful.

 

Late last year Ron Reed shared some of his thoughts about Barty after her win at Wimbledon:

… it occurred to me in the euphoric aftermath of the epic performance on the manicured lawns of south London that this one resonated in a range of ways that transcended the sport itself, which were important not only to her rusted-on fans but also to large elements of the Australian population in general.

 

It has meant, if I might be permitted the indulgence of quoting my own opening observations in the new book, that the ‘Barty Party’ – a cheerful term coined when she first asserted herself as the dominant female figure in international tennis two years earlier – no longer adequately conveys what her ‘brand’ means in the eyes of the people she so proudly represents, or how valuable it has become in every sense.

 

Her unfolding, far-from-finished narrative has come to resonate with unusually intense overtones of national pride and inspiration, community morale, cultural issues ancient and modern, the importance of family and friends, the regard for humility and grace over rampant ambition and avarice, the escalating battle for gender equality, the banishment of the scourge of the ugly parent syndrome, and perspectives on fame and fortune.

 

Lessons in life, in other words.

 

My guess is that a Spanish sportswriter blessed with Reed’s gift of expression could advance similar sentiments about Nadal. Because Reed has it right: it’s all about ‘lessons in life’, albeit via the medium of tennis.  I can’t wait to read his take on the tournament.

 

 

To read Ron Reed’s full article click here.

 

To read more posts about Ash Barty on The Footy Almanac click here.

 

To return to our Footy Almanac home page click HERE.

 

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.


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About Ian Hauser

A relaxed, Noosa-based retiree with a (very) modest sporting CV. A loyal Queenslander, especially when it comes to cricket and rugby league. Enjoys travel, coffee and cake, reading, and has been known to appreciate a glass or three of wine. One of Footy Almanac's online editors who enjoys the occasional editing opportunity to assist aspiring writers.

Comments

  1. Daryl Schramm says

    In summary . . .
    The Ks are not special
    Dylan Alcott is mighty. I only hope he keeps flying the flag strongly for his cause and is applauded for doing so at the end of his AOTY tenure
    The media put “All of Australia” on Ash’s shoulders. That she was able to overcome this adds to her achievements last week.
    It was indeed a marvellous fortnight of tennis. I probably watched more than I usually do, even though the BBL took precedence for me. I lasted until 4-2 in the 5th Monday morning. An amazing match it was.

  2. roger lowrey says

    Great analysis Ian.

    Without adding anything of worthy substance to your tennis observations could I even suggest that an overdue welcome of civility could be reemerging in other international sports.

    I call to the stage here Kane Williamson, Patrick Cummins Joe Root and Sam Kerr. I apologise to others I have overlooked..

    Not long ago the narrative from the Oz cricket captain to an opponent was “look forward to a broken f***ing arm”. Sigh!

    Hard and all as we know life is, can we try to behave like grown ups sometimes?

    RDL

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