And so it has begun.
After Day One’s torrential rain and thunderstorms (sure, that additional day within the schedule has proved a godsend to date: much more ludicrously late finishes final 12 months and a six-hour washout this 12 months), on Day Two the Australian Open was correctly underway.
For these of us not in Australia’s time zones – which implies just about everybody on the planet – these 15 days are weird. Melbourne is 11 hours forward of London so the day session there begins at 1am right here and the Aussie night time session begins whereas the Brits are having their breakfast.
So it was that I went to mattress with Frances Tiafoe and awoke with Novak Djokovic. If you happen to, like me, are a lady of a sure age, that is a taxing schedule. Come to think about it, for a lady of any age it’s a peculiar expertise.
It additionally appears unusual to enter the Australian Open with out Djokovic because the out-and-out favorite however, this 12 months, it’s Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz vying for bragging rights on that rating. Certain sufficient, nobody is discounting Djokovic’s possibilities however they aren’t betting their homes on him both.
Regardless of; the No.7 seed (which is shock sufficient in itself) remains to be one of many main tales of the fortnight. His new partnership with Andy Murray has been the discuss of tennis because it was introduced on the finish of November.
They might have identified one another for 25 years, they might have contested 10 grand slam finals (Djokovic gained eight of them), 36 matches in all and so they could also be only a week aside in age however how properly do they really know one another? Not in addition to you would possibly assume.
Earlier than the match, Laura Robson spoke to the Serb for Eurosport and gave him a little bit quiz on his new coach. “What are the names of Andy’s kids?” she requested. Cue a glance of gentle panic that swiftly turned one in every of utter mortification – he had no thought. Laura gave him a clue: Andy has three women and a boy. That was no assist in any respect. “The eldest is named Sophia,” she prompted. Nope. That didn’t assist both. She put him out of his distress: Sophia, Edie, Teddie and Lola. Ah, sure. Djokovic fastidiously repeated the names.
After just a few extra questions (and various extra hints), Djokovic left the studio muttering “Sophia, Edie, Teddie, Lola; Sophia, Edie, Teddie, Lola”. Andy Murray’s household life is clearly not Djokovic’s specialist topic.
On courtroom, although, it’s totally different. The previous world No.1 is famend for attending to each element of his match preparation. And Murray was famend for making an attempt something and all the pieces to offer himself that additional half a share level above the opposition. In regular life, they might be thought to be nerds; in skilled sport, their nerdism makes them the very best of the very best. In that respect they’re completely matched.
Through the years, we’ve grow to be accustomed to seeing Murray – on courtroom, at the very least – wanting unshaven and sweatily dishevelled, glowering and growling at his staff. And after making an attempt his hand at commentary one summer season throughout Wimbledon, he confessed that sitting nonetheless and watching a four-hour match was not for him. How then, we questioned, would he cope along with his teaching duties when the cameras can be on him and his cost would expect him to be concerned in each second of each level within the match.
Because it occurred, Murray was immaculately turned out (solely a slight overlaying of trendy stubble with out being untidy), alert and engaged in a quiet but targeted method. And when Djokovic headed over to the field on the finish of the courtroom for a little bit of a chat, Murray had lots to supply.
“I’m clearly thrilled to have him in my nook,” Djokovic mentioned, having survived a difficult opening match towards Nishesh Basavareddy from California. “I need to say it was a little bit little bit of a wierd expertise to have him on the courtside in my field. We performed for over 20 years towards one another on the highest stage and it’s nice to have him on the identical aspect of the online. He gave me some nice recommendation mid-match.
“I believe it’s actually good we’ve the chance to have allowed teaching now so we will change some suggestions and we will get our coaches to inform us what they see from the aspect of the courtroom. It’s a very totally different perspective once you’re watching from the aspect and he’s been doing very well. It’s been an gratifying expertise and hopefully we don’t cease right here.”
However for a set and a bit, the Djoko-Muzza partnership regarded prefer it was going to be a one-hit surprise. The 19-year-old world No.107, who solely turned skilled final month, was bossing the rallies from the again of the courtroom and rattling the 10-time champion.
Basavareddy is called the “Djokovic of the Challengers”. He idolises the Serb and clearly, so far as he can, has modelled his recreation on his hero. On the proof of his first grand slam expertise, he has made a fairly good job of it, too.
For the primary hour or so, the American was in cost however then Djokovic began taking part in higher whereas Basavareddy ran out of puff. Calling for the coach in the beginning of the third set, it was unclear whether or not he was affected by cramp or one other subject. Judging by the therapy, it appeared the medic was making an attempt to bolt the poor lad’s left leg again on.
The sheer effort required to compete at this stage goes to take some getting used to for Basavareddy however he saved at it with no signal of giving up as Djokovic went on to win 4-6, 6-3 6-4, 6-2.
“I believe he was the higher participant for a set and a half,” Djokovic mentioned. “He deserves each little bit of applause he obtained when he was exiting the courtroom.
“He’s only a very full participant. He did very pleasantly shock me with all of his pictures and his combating spirit in direction of the top.
“He didn’t get carried away by the importance of the second. It’s not simple stepping out on the centre courtroom for the primary time, dealing with the nerves and all. He’s dealing with himself very well so I’m certain we’ll see lots of him sooner or later.”
Djokovic now strikes on to face the 21-year-old qualifier from Portugal, Jaime Faria, whereas Murray goes again to his resort to do his homework.
We are going to maintain a watching temporary on the 2 previous rivals however for the second, they’ve an ideal report: performed one, gained one.
And they also have begun.
