I have many regrets at this hour. They include, but are not limited to, genuinely believing someone born after 1987 could win a major title, believing this even into the fifth set at the Australian Open final against this specific opponent, and (as a result) staying awake between the hours of 4 and 8 a.m. ET. Really bad judgment all around. But, under certain circumstances, you do gotta hand it Novak Djokovic.
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The best thing about Sofia Kenin, who won the Australian Open today, is that you cannot tell whether she’s madder after losing a point or winning it. Down-the-line winner after a long quad-pulverizing rally? Keels over the racket and howls like she’s mad at it. Holds serve with a first major title in sight? Pops the unused ball out of her pocket and whips it over her shoulder 10 feet in the air like she’s mad at it. Thumps an untouchable return with title just points away? Hop-skips and kicks the baseline hard like she’s mad at it. This is a potent, chaotic energy and tennis needs it badly. Please join me in warmly welcoming this new Sith apprentice into the sport’s deep roster of weirdos.
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Dominic Thiem, who’ll play in the Australian Open final, hits the ball like it’s a piñata: with the clear intent to destroy it, and with his eyes emphatically closed. (Consult a slow-mo if you’re skeptical about the last bit.) This has worked well enough for him, at least on clay, but something about the approach was unconvincing. I didn’t believe in him as a player until, suddenly, at the 2018 U.S. Open, I very much did. The blind power was beginning to develop a brain.
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