The snore-fest of the 2013 Australian Open final.

Unlike this years final, congratulations to Novak Djokovic for winning his sixth slam, I shall try to make this blog as brief and succinct as possible.

2013 Australian Open - the "Happy" slam

After over three hours of this monotonous, tautological match, I am greatly regretting leaving the snug, inviting, cosy confines of my bed at 9 am this morning.
Although a war of attrition is always expected when these two giants of the game clash, (even after watching several of their painstaking matches) I was still not prepared for this god awful slug fest compounded with very defensive, low risk, high margin for error, lack of variety, marathon like, grinding tennis.

Who's Murray and who's Djokovic????

What generally makes a tennis match exciting is the difference in styles and variety, perhaps an attacker vs a defender, or for old times sake, a Federer vs Nadal encounter if you will.
However with Murray and Djokovic, it is difficult to distinguish any discernible differences between the two.
Let us list their similarities:
a) Both are exceptional movers and defenders
b) Both have scintillating double handed backhands
c) Both have superb, instinctive returns
d) Both have a great reluctance to approach the net (unless there is a simple put away)
and finally (e) Both have a propensity to wait for the unforced error instead of forcing a winner.

I will admit I am perhaps not the most objective viewer in regards to this style of tennis, which can appeal to many, but for me if this is the future of the game, my interest in the sport will be greatly diminished.
The "homogenisation" (yes that favourite term used by members of the 606v2 website) of slower court surfaces, the advanced string technology and the paramount importance of having supreme fitness levels are greatly to blame for this type of tennis becoming an almost regular occurrence in the sport.

This may wow fans, that just watch the slams, as they marvel at a tennis player's athleticism which invariably involves either player hitting miraculous retrievals or a near enough impossible shot from 10 feet behind or outside the baseline.

Nevertheless for the tennis purist it is highly unlikely that they too will set their alarm clock's for 9 am, rush downstairs and turn on the TV with baited breath and great anticipation.
I think they won't set an alarm... they may not even have an alarm for these types of situations!
So the next time these two meet in a final, I think I will just turn over, perhaps briefly checking the score on my computer, and go back to a warm, peaceful, uninterrupted, tennis-free sleep.

Good luck Ross!

On an unrelated note, it was great to again see Ross Hutchins, who recently underwent his second chemotherapy treatment, on the EuroSport couch . Best of luck and wishes to him in making a speedy and full recovery!!!!