2011 Australian Open Winners and Losers
Monday, January 31, 2011 at 1:32PM
Well it's a wrap for the 2011 Australian Open. Two deserving champions, Novak Djokovic and Kim Clijsters earned their titles and and the accolades that go with winning a Grand Slam title. The fans seemed to enjoy all the tennis, and for the most part, the television coverage beamed back to tennis fans in The States was pretty good. While Novak and Kim got the big trophies, there were some other winners we ought to give some mention to, and if there are winners, there have to be some losers as well. Winners: Kim Clijsters - Her fourth Grand Slam title and makes a statement early in the years that she should be #1. Novak Djokovic - Marvelous tennis from the Serb. I wouldn't say his win over Federer signaled a "changing of the guard", but Novak flat out beat Federer and deserved this title. The Bryan Bros. - Another Aussie Open title for the American twins. They really blitzed the field and because of the Bryans, we got to see some live doubles here in America. The Bryans should be picked for the upcoming Davis Cup tie. Chinese Tennis - What a triumph for Chinese tennis with 28-year old Li almost winning China's first Grand Slam title. I don't know if 1 billion Chinese people were watching, but this country really is a sleeping giant when it comes to tennis. Now they are awake. David Ferrer - His run to the semi's was great to see. Gave Murray a great match, that bodes well for Ferrer for the rest of 2011. Todd Woodbridge - He never got so much press for all he accomplished in a career of doubles with Mark Woodforde. His text message comments made it back to Kim Clijsters who has some fun with Todd. He was interviewed by ESPN, the BBC and everyone else. Though he did something kind of weird, Todd came out of this mess likeable and a good sport. I still can't figure out why Todd Woodbridge is texting Renee Stubbs about Kim Clijsters boobs. Those crazy Aussies. Losers: Caroline Wozniacki - She had a lot of fun with the press in Australia. She was trying to take some of the pressure off her for not having won a major. With her loss... News Flash! The pressure returns in May at the French Open. Rafael Nadal - Where does this leave Rafa heading into the Spring? Will be bounce back? I have some doubts about Rafa for 2011. But he's a tough guy to bet against. Dinara Safina - I don't even know what to say at this point about someone who has so much physical talent, but is such a mental mess. The Americans, especially Sam Querrey - Another disappointing Grand Slam for the American men and women. No Americans were playing singles when week 2 started. if we focus on Sam Querrey for a minute here, his play was horrid, his body language was questionable, and he stunk it up in a Grand Slam event yet again. Saying that, he'll probably will Memphis in a few weeks. Jelena Jankovic - Her new aggressive game isn't working. She lost to Peng Shuai in Melbourne leaving questions about where her game is headed. Oracene Price - Why she mattered in the second week of the Australian Open is a mystery. I guess it's because she took to Twitter to bash Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters. Oracene needs to stay off of Twitter.
