Australian Open 2012 Men's Final: The Joy of Suffering

With great suffering comes great joy; although throughout the 5 hour and 53 minute long match of the Australian Open Men's final, fans could argue that great suffering only caused sweaty palms and stomach pains. 

Novak Djokovic fans suffered when he had and then squandered 3 break points, which if converted, would have allowed him to serve for the match in the 4th set.  Rafael Nadal fans suffered when he missed an easy backhand at the net which eventually lead to a break of serve and was later considered the point that cost him the match (although not by Rafa himself).  But more importantly, the players of this epic match suffered, with only passion to will themselves to the finish line to kiss (or bite) the Norman Brookes trophy before their burning lungs and legs could betray them. 

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Inside the Wilson Stringing Room at the 2012 Australian Open

The Wilson stringing room is a feature of the Australian Open.  With its large windows, the public can peer in and watch the world’s best stringers as they perfect their craft.  Kait O’Callahan caught up with one of the stringers, Jarrod, for a quick chat.

Is stringing your full-time job?

It isn’t my full time job, I actually run a tennis centre. But I string at the Australian Open and the US Open each year.

What qualities do you need to become a world-class stringer?

You need a lot of experience; you need to have strung a lot of rackets. You need to do a very consistant job in the quickest time possible.

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Victoria Azarenka: Oh, The Places You'll Go!

My favorite gift to people when they graduate is the Dr. Seuss book, Oh, The Places You'll Go.  I think it is also fitting for a first time Grand Slam champion and a new number 1.  Enjoy!

Oh, The Places You'll Go!  by Dr. Seuss

Congratulations! Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own.  And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

You'll look up and down streets.  Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

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In Their Words: Aussie Open Interviews Days 7-12

Ekaterina, is that you?

 No, the Italian food, I really like it (smiling).

-Ekaterina Makarova on how she doesn't like being called Macaroni but likes the food

I know her, but I don't think that we look similar.  You like strange questions (laughter).

-Ekaterina Makarova on being told she looks like Gwyneth Paltrow

I have spoken to her years ago, but, you know, she was all about Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.

-Martina Navratilova on Margaret Court's view on same-sex marriage

No, she did ask me like what kind of shoes should I take to walk on the course.  Just the most comfortable ones. 

-Ana Ivanovic on the golf questions Caroline Wozniacki asks her

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Australian Open 2012 Reflections

Seagulls flying inside Rod Laver Arenaby Kait O'Callahan

Yesterday I attended my last match of the Australian Open 2012 and I’ve spent the past 24 hours reflecting on what I saw.  It isn’t just the tennis you remember when you attend almost every day of a tournament.  These memories will always stand out in my mind from this year’s Australian Open...

Crowd cliches

Attend a match on one of the big stadium on any night and I guarantee you’ll hear the following high quality jokes:

“GO... (insert name of player not present here)”
 The most popular seemed to be “Go Lleyton,” yelled after Lleyton had long left the tournament.

“You can do it...!”
Said in Rob Scheider tones. It’s even worse when they add, “You can do it all night long.”

“I love you (insert name here)”
Usually said by a man, about a man (HILARIOUS).

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