By Casey O’Connor
I wonder how many readers, are suffering sore necks having followed the path of tennis balls from end-to-end over the past week as we go deep into week two of the Australian Open?
Great to see Ash Barty performing at the peak of her powers. Without putting the mock on her, I, like all Australian fans, are hoping she continues the party until the final. The road ahead however is not ging to be smooth sailing with plenty of stiff opposition keen to block her path. Much like Wimbledon 2021 we are all hoping this will be another record-breaking tournament Australia’s favourite tennis star.
The Australian tennis stocks are looking great with solid performances from those who hold the future of the game on the international stage performing well.
It was disappointing to see Alex (Demon) De Minaur bow out of the tournament on Monday, but we are sure to hear more of him in the not too distant future.
While K and K have progressed in the doubles tournament, eliminating some more preferred opponents on the way I am still finding it hard to get excited. It is great to see Thanasi Kokkinakis enjoying success but try as I might I have issues watching Kyrgios. I am sure I am not alone. I find it unfathomable how someone with such a talent can have such little respect for a sport that has given him so much. While some find his on court antics entertaining, I have plenty of other words to describe his behaviour –unprintable here.
I sit and wonder what must be going through Rod Laver’s mind as he looks on. Doubt he thinks it’s entertaining and a great drawcard to bring people to the Open. But then I am a dinosaur and may be wrong.
As we close out the tennis, some new talents have been unearthed and some greats re-emerged. I am wondering as we finish this paper if we will be celebrating another Raffa victory on the weekend. I am hoping so.
With the tennis drawing to a close, it is time for Aussie’s to brush up on all the Winter Olympic sports with just days to the opening ceremony and then around two weeks of competition.
By then we will all be experts in those obtuse sports of curling, bobsled, ice skating, the gentlemen’s sport of ice hockey, figure skating, moguls and so much more. So little time so much to study, but not until after the tennis. Go Ash.
Casey
