Good one,mates

The Djokovic-Nadal final is a testament to the grit and genius that now define mens tennis

The Djokovic-Nadal final is a testament to the grit and genius that now define mens tennis

In 1988 when the two permanent baseline residents of that era,Mats Wilander and Ivan Lendl,fought for close to five hours for the US Open title,those around the court found the freak final amusingly intriguing. By the time this gets over,we all will be due for pension,they joked in the press box. Over two decades later,the time taken by Novak Djokovic to outlast Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open,seven minutes short of six hours,the longest Grand Slam final in the Open era,was a testament to the extraordinary grit and genius that have come to define the sport.

Tennis watchers these days have gotten used to marathon duels. Two years back,journeymen John Isner and Nicolas Mahut were on court at the no-tie-breaker-in-the-last-set Wimbledon till the next morning for 11 hours,5 minutes to be exact. In this Australian Open itself,Andy Murray was on court for close to five hours against Djokovic in a semi-final. In an era in which the fitness standards of players have touched new heights,winning a point,as in the past,isnt about hitting a big forehand. Untiring legs chase down every ball that is hit at them,and after the age of aces,the long rallies have returned. These players make for highly entertaining and immensely exhausting contests. Before Djokovic and Nadal pushed the envelop of endurance on the hard courts of Melbourne,the release and relief of it calling for a scream from the Serb that is seldom heard on a tennis court,the longevity and endurance of another Indian was also in evidence Leander Paes winning the mens doubles and becoming the first Indian to have a career Slam.

Even Federer-less,mens tennis does not look deprived. Djokovic-Nadal may have become the new rivalry but Andy Murray can be the disruptor,making it an intense three-man race. As for Lendl,he is these days plotting some of these marathons,sitting in Murrays box.