MELBOURNE — The 2019 edition of the Australian Open came to a conclusion having satiated tennis fans with the quality and excitement of play. If…
MELBOURNE — The 2019 edition of the Australian Open came to a conclusion having satiated tennis fans with the quality and excitement of play. If this major is an indication of what’s ahead this year, there should be a lot of memorable moments in tennis.
Don’t take this the wrong way. Roger Federer, 37, is still a formidable and elegant player, and he shouldn’t be counted out of winning titles. But it’s hard to deny he’s showing signs of being a senior citizen of the tour.
Like it or not, winning seven matches at a major in best-of-five set encounters will require things to fall perfectly in place for Federer.
When Federer’s been extended past straight-sets at the last three majors — in the 2018 Wimbledon quarterfinals, the US Open fourth round and this Australian Open fourth round — he’s been shown to the exit.
Serena Williams is finding out that it’s not so easy for a professional athlete to do it all — be a champion not only on the court, but as a wife and mother at home.
She’ll be a year back from maternity leave in March, has played a limited schedule and still is in the hunt for a 24th Grand Slam singles trophy, which would tie her for the record with Australian Margaret Court.
