Australian Open: Thiem, Ivanisevic, Muguruza - we've learned that
14 days of Grand Slam tennis are behind us after the Australian Open 2020 - and as always, the elite summit brought some new insights.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Feb 04, 2020, 10:21 am
Finding 1: The seed list is overrated
At the end of last tennis year in London, Roger Federer said that it was completely pari for him whether he was among the top four in a major or not. If he is in shape, he will play for the title regardless of his position in the world rankings. Before the start of the Australian Open, Wolfgang Thiem said something similar to tennisnet: The fact that Daniil Medvedev pushed his son Dominic into the Rafael Nadal quarter with the good appearances at the ATP Cup was not a big issue in the team. And lo and behold: Dominic Thiem has already faced the big challenge earlier. And mastered this terrific.
Finding 2: Novak Djokovic is also flexible
It is well known that Rafael Nadal maintains strict rituals. Novak Djokovic is also considered a creature of habit. So if the Serb and his coaches decide that Marian Vajda should take care of the first two majors and Goran Ivanisevic take care of Wimbledon and the US Open, we of course believe Nole. In the end, Goran found his place in the box of the Melbourne record winner. And was allowed to celebrate the eighth triumph.
Finding 3: Experience does not protect against nerve flutter
What did we worry about Alexander Zverev's serve after his problems at the ATP Cup in Brisbane. And then the German number one served with very few exceptions, as if the double-fault orgies had never existed. In this regard, Garbine Muguruza was more likely to step into the breach. Who would have thought that the experience of a two-time major winner would prevail against a novice like Sofia Kenin in the final, well, has learned nothing from the recent Grand Slam tournaments. The way in which Muguruza fluttered her nerves was remarkable: she delivered her serve almost continuously with a final double fault, as did the entire finale.
Finding 4: There are two different tournaments
Well, that's not new, especially in Australia. There are now three covered courts, the players set there not only have planning security. But also more even conditions. And slower. What was particularly striking this year: the temperature differences and the half-life of the balls. During the day, the balls in Melbourne Park usually flew very cheerfully over the squares, in the evening it got tough. And at the latest in the third game, the new balls became as heavy as bricks.
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