The 2022 Australian Open has drawn to a close, reaching its crescendo in an epic finals weekend that featured thrilling tennis, and will be remembered for decades to come.
While some feared the event was trending towards disaster after the handling of the Novak Djokovic situation and headaches caused by COVID-19, it has been a raging success.
It was a tournament in which Ash Barty was able to inspire a whole nation, her performance unlike anything Australian fans have seen from a local player for a considerable amount of time.
Whilst most believed the Queenslander was a strong chance to become our first female winner in 44 years, few would have foreseen her achieving it in such a dominant fashion.
Moments like that of Evonne Goolagong Cawley surprising Barty and presenting her with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup, are now etched in not just the history of the Grand Slam, but Australian tennis itself.
There was also the spotlight that the ‘Special K’s’ – Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis – brought to doubles tennis. What they delivered on their way to a Grand Slam title was new and exciting, something the format has not necessarily been known for in the past.
'Special K' brought a whole new level of excitement towards the tournaments mens doubles comp - Photo credit: Dean Lewins
Love it or hate it, it’s part of what has made this Australian Open memorable.
Then just when we thought we had seen it all, Rafael Nadal pulled off a remarkable comeback win; one that had to be seen to be believed.
Nadal dropped the first two sets and had to save three consecutive break points in the third, and with defeat staring him in the face, went on to claim a 21st major. It was the most fitting of ways to end the tournament.
Another takeaway was the prevalence of Americans playing in the later stages of the Women’s side of the draw.
Although it’s common for America to dominate at global sporting events, it’s rare for one country to have so many players featuring at the business end of a tennis Grand Slam.
To give this context, all of Ash Barty’s opponents in the second week of the tournament were from the USA; including finalist Danielle Collins.
Overall, this year’s edition of the Australian Open was one of the best in the modern era.
While the crowd behaviour was questionable at times, and the ‘Peng Shuai’ protesters were not dealt with accordingly, the main event was high-quality tennis that had fans frequently on the edge of their seats.