There are few things in tennis as expected as Novak Djokovic winning the Australian Open, but the eventuality is no less riveting. For him to win the major for a tenth time, with a hamstring injury, no less, was extraordinary. When Novak said, "35 is the new 25," referring to his age, it was a cheeky way of saying he's far from done. It reminded me of when, at last year's French Open, then-33-year-old Marin Cilic said his body was "like 25," according to his doctor. While age is the obvious, looming factor in the career-span of a professional tennis player, fitness and experience are a lethal combination. "Heart" goes a long way, too, as we saw with 35-year-old Andy Murray during his match versus Thanasi Kokkinakis. When Novak collapsed and cried in his box after the win, it was also a sudden reminder of the humanity underpinning his near-superhuman abilities.
Beyond men's singles, I was impressed by Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova winning the women's doubles major for the second year in a row and Diede de Groot winning the women's wheelchair major for the third year in a row. It was wonderful to see Alfie Hewett win the men's singles wheelchair major for the first time, and doubles for the fourth time, thereby completing the career Grand Slam and becoming world no. 1 again (upon the retirement of Shingo Kunieda). The juniors were brilliant, as well. Alexander Blockx won the boys' singles and made the boys' doubles final (and has an exceptional last name!). Alina Korneeva defeated her doubles partner, Mirra Andreeva, in the girls' singles final with spectacular grit. The aftermath included a lot of tears and hugging between them. In the mixed doubles, there were more tears after the final, where Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos defeated Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna. Sania gave a heartfelt speech ahead of her retirement in Dubai this month.
Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka by Frank Molter on January 28, 2023 (Alamy)
For women's singles, the phenomenal final between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina was, for me, the match of the tournament. Their combined power and aggression stopped time, and I did not want it to end. In interviews and press conferences, Aryna spoke about giving up sugar for the tournament, firing her psychologist, becoming "boring" on the court, and embracing more of a "calm tiger" persona (see tattoo). For all of the double faults she made last year, and the humiliation she suffered, Aryna committed to improving by hiring a biomechanics specialist. Her serve did not fail her this year and neither did her mentality.
Rinky Hijikita and Jason Kubler
Jason Kubler & Rinky Hijikata by Jaimi Joy on January 28, 2023 (Reuters/Alamy)
The men's doubles were perhaps overshadowed, but they were no less exciting. Australians Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler won, becoming the second wildcard team to win the Australian Open in the Open era (following fellow Aussies Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis just last year). Though they played the tournament on a whim, their chemistry was electric, and the crowd was undeniably behind them.