By Erik Gudris Photo Credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve
(January 29, 2012) From a ragged start to a classic finish, the Australian Open Men’s Final in Melbourne became part of tennis history as Novak Djokovic defended his title over Rafael Nadal in five extended sets that earned the match the distinction of being the longest Grand Slam men’s final in the Open Era.
Momentum shifted multiple times during this instant classic, but it was the first set that provided the clues to what would be the overall narrative in this the 30th meeting between the two men. The two questions asked early on were how would Djokovic’s body hold up after his five set battle with Andy Murray in the semifinals and how would Nadal hold up mentally after losing six straight times to Djokovic.
The first set was a mess all around from Djokovic’s sartorial choices (going from a white to a black shirt that didn’t quite match the rest of his kit), seagull feathers falling onto the court and from both men struggling to find their games for the opening 80 minutes. Nadal should have wrapped up the first set early on after Djokovic dropped serve at 3-2 but then Nadal failed to hold serve later allowing Djokovic to catch him at 4-all. Nadal, hitting bigger first serves than he had in previous encounters with Djokovic, broke again and finally closed out the set 7-5 but not without another struggle in his service game.
Holding serve for Nadal became his biggest test for the next two sets as Djokovic used his return game to put more pressure on the Spaniard. After going up an early break, Djokovic looked in command of the set as he went up 5-2, but Nadal, after holding serve, responded in the next game with a forehand winner and then a nervy volley to set up a break point which he converted after Djokovic double faulted. But then Nadal returned the favor as he double faulted away the set on his own service game. With Djokovic cutting down on his errors and winning most of the longer rallies, the Serb went up an early break in the third set before racing away with it 6-2.
By then, it seemed the match was in Djokovic’s hands. But Nadal responded by playing more aggressively especially with his forehand that saw him smack several 100 mph winners. Despite that, Djokovic punched his way to opening a 0-40 lead on Nadal’s serve at 3-4. But Nadal responded with more aggression to hold for 4-4. After a rain delay forced play to be halted for 15 minutes until the roof was closed, both men returned and held serve until a tiebreak was necessary to decide it. Even with Djokovic looking slightly fatigued, he surged to a 5-3 lead before Nadal, urging himself on at every point, got even with Djokovic and then served out the fourth set to the delight of the crowd.
With Djokovic looking physically done, the momentum now appeared to be on Nadal’s side as he began holding serve with ease while Djokovic continued to spray shots from both sides. After breaking Djokovic to go up 4-2, Nadal had a chance to put the match away almost when in the next game he lined up a backhand down the line pass at 30-0. But Nadal just missed sending the ball wide.
This lapse from Nadal revived Djokovic who went on to break Nadal for 4-3. After playing an extended 30 shot rally that earned both men a standing ovation in the next game, Djokovic held for 4-all and now it was Djokovic who once again became the aggressor while Nadal reverted back to playing more defensively. At 5-all, Djokovic capitalized on a second break point when a Nadal slice backhand landed in the net.
Now serving for the match after over five hours of play, Djokovic went up 30-0, before tired errors from him brought Nadal back into at 30-all. Nadal forced another break point at 30-40 that Djokovic saved by hitting a huge crosscourt forehand out of Nadal’s reach. At deuce, Djokovic looked up at the sky and crossed himself while begging for two more points. Djokovic got his wish as he won the first off of a Nadal backhand that landed in the net and then finally on match point when Djokovic hit a big serve down the middle of the court setting up a forehand winner for him that sealed the 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5 victory and his third Australian Open title.
For a match that became an instant classic, it seemed appropriate that tennis legend Rod Laver was on hand to present both Djokovic and Nadal their trophies marking a fitting end to a now historic two weeks in Melbourne. Djokovic now joins Laver along with Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in winning three Majors in a row.