The Australian Open 2010 may look like a normal Grandslam from the outset - Federer adds yet another slam to his overflowing achievements, Nadal is plagued by injuries again, Serena proves one more time that being tied up in bandages all over mean nothing, and the wait for a British slam champion continues.Let me, however, lift the curtain from some of the things which may go unnoticed lest one follows the championship like I did. So here are my top 5 off-the-beat-picks from the Australian Open 2010:
1. After being at the pinnacle for over six years except one, it's good to see Roger try his hands at something else: humor. In his post-match interview with Jim Courier, just after he dismantled Tsonga in the quarters, he was asked how much he works in the off-season. His reply - "It's all talent. I don't work. I just sit on the couch. All I do really is take care of the kids." On facing Murray in finals, he comments "I know he'd like to win the first major for British tennis, for what is it, 150,000 years?" Good to have you back, Roger.
2. John Isner is slowly and steadily developing himself to take guard of the legacy which Andy Roddick will leave someday. The 6-foot-9 giant serves like a machine gun, volleys well and has improved his agility many a times. He won a title in Auckland, dumped Gael Monfils before bowing out to Murray in a well competed match. Look out for Isner in coming slams.
3. A Russian marvel called Sharapova came in and went out of the slam in a flash, without people even noticing her lustrous blue dress. We know you've got potential Maria, but women's tennis is not as it used to be. Serena is fiercer more than ever, Belgians are back and your compatriots keep marching in every tennis tournament there is. So wake up before it's too late, else the $70 million contract which you've signed with Nike might just go to Kirilenko soon. Another Maria (and Russian) on the prowl, did I just mention?
4. The first slam to witness two Chinese players in the women's semifinals. Happy to see more Asian representation at the world level. Well done, Li and Jie.
5. Surprise, surprise. Nadal gets a marriage proposal this time on court. Not from the audience, but from a ballgirl. Rafa is such a sweetheart, isn't he?
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[Waiting eagerly for the Roland Garros 2010]
