Australian Open

[arturohernandez]

Reminds me of the old saw that "The stock market <or use 'economists' instead> have predicted 9 of the last 5 recessions." or perhaps Mark Twains, "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”

I don't know how much we can project from this result, because Djokovic's performance was so odd.

But it does show clearly how much more reliant his game has become on his serve as he has gotten older. Djokovic can't trap people in their backhand corner and grind them, because players such as Medvedev (US Open final) and Sinner have no fear of his backhand.

And at least 4 players in Sinner, Alcaraz, Rune and Medvedev have shown 1) They can beat Djokovic on a big stage and 2) All of them have games that can force Djokovic out of his favorite patterns of play. And now Sinner has beaten Djokovic in 3 of their last 4 meetings, all on Djokovic's best surface.

Through the clay season, Noel is not looking so good these days. Rafa also looks like a shell of himself. It might be the end of the road for the last two remaining members of the Big 4.

[jimlosaltos]

Through the clay season, Noel is not looking so good these days. Rafa also looks like a shell of himself. It might be the end of the road for the last two remaining members of the Big 4.

Might well be. Andy Roddick went on and on in one of his podcasts about how bad Djokovic has ooked physically all year, sighing and covering his face with a towel full of ice.

But, remember, Djokovic is ( a bit like Andy Murray, only worse) apt to look like he is on death's bed after missing a shot. It's some weight sort of coping mechanism. So, how much of this is real and how much is that Djokovic simply isn't motivated for anything short of the Majors and the Olympics this year?

Rafa's a different story. Like so many players (Fed, Thiem, Soderling) whose bodies didn't let them practice enough to get their A games back, the pain from his injuries presents a huge barrier to putting in the practice needed to fine tune the race car. Can he overcome that through sheer will one, last time? Wouldn't count hm out. Wouldn't be on him either. Fingers crossed.