10 Things: What We Learned in Australia

Novak Djokovic will win ten Grand Slams. Bernard Tomic will reach the top ten by the end of the year. These are just a few of the things we learned while watching the Australian Open.

By Chris Oddo

(January 28, 2013) -- As another glorious Grand Slam fortnight comes to a close, we contemplate what it all might mean going forward...

1. Novak Djokovic will win at least ten Grand Slams

One takeaway from the Serb’s ruthlessly clinical four-set victory over Andy Murray in Sunday’s final is that he can practically notch this type of win with his eyes closed. No offense to Murray, who made inspiring strides down under, particularly with his spirited slaying of Roger Federer in the semis, but if the Scot is going to be the primary obstacle between Djokovic and more Grand Slam titles, our money’s on Novak hitting double digit Slams before he’s 28.

Djokovic will also benefit from the fact that the perpetual thorn in his side, Roger Federer, will be on the opposite half of Grand Slam draws from the Serb, unless Murray can rise in the rankings quickly to get to No. 2. With that scenario, there’s no guarantee that Djokovic will even have to face Federer in the next few Grand Slams.

The one wildcard, of course, is Rafael Nadal.

2. Serena Williams may never catch Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova in Grand Slam titles won

The only thing that can get between Serena Williams and more Grand Slam titles--her health, and yes, her advancing age--did so last week in Melbourne. Unfortunately, this is no fluke. Serena has struggled with injuries throughout her illustrious career, and recovering from those injuries, in addition to avoiding future setbacks, will only get more difficult with time.

And this pugnacious kid they call Vika doesn’t appear to be going away, either.

3. Madison Keys could be better than Sloane Stephens and Laura Robson put together someday

We are admittedly stirring the pot here a bit, but if Keys, who stepped into the top 100 this week at No. 81, makes the most of her burgeoning talents over the next few years, we see no reason why she can’t be the first teenager to win a Grand Slam since Maria Sharapova won the U.S. Open in 2006.

4. Carlos Rodriguez and Ivan Lendl are amazing coaches

Sometimes coaches get too much credit for the performances of their players. Other times they don’t get enough. In Rodriguez and Lendl’s case, any praise that gets heaped upon them is well deserved. During their tenure, each has overseen a breathtaking transformation in their players that goes beyond mere X’s and O’s. They have lifted the spirits of their players, and fine-tuned their self-confidence as well as their games. In a sport where belief is paramount, Rodgriguez and Lendl have been thorough in their tactics, leaving no stone unturned in the quest for the all-important psychological edge.

5. Bernard Tomic will reach the top ten by the end of the season

He’ll inevitably have his ups and downs (dust-ups and drag races too, clothing optional) but Bernard Tomic, with his newfound sense of purpose, and his newfound serve, is definitely on the up and up.

6. Nicolas Almagro will defeat David Ferrer the next time they play

C’mon, isn’t it obvious?

7. Juan Martin del Potro is in danger of becoming irrelevant

Sad as it may seem to his legions of die-hard fans, it appears that the Tower of Tandil is in need of a change. He was blown off the court by Jeremy Chardy in Melbourne in the first week. If that isn’t a sign that an intervention is necessary, then we don’t know what is. Does he need a new coach? A new philosophy? A new racquet? Not sure, but Del Potro needs to do something, and he needs to do it quick. There is too much young talent behind him for him to keep treading water at his current level of play.

8. The Bryan Brothers are the best doubles team to ever play the game

Their 13th Grand Slam title confirms it. What’s that you say? You already knew that? Okay, then.

9. The French Open is going to be a free-for-all on the women’s side

The women’s game is stacked with talent right now, both young and old. And when it comes to handicapping the French Open (premature, but we can't help ourselves), Li Na is worthy of consideration, as is last year’s champion, Maria Sharapova. But seriously, there are about 20 players that wouldn’t surprise us at all if they emerged victorious at Roland Garros. Serena Williams? It's been a long time coming. Svetlana Kuznetsova? She sure did look good in Australia. Agnieszka Radwanska? Crazier things have happened, that’s for certain. Sloane Stephens? She does love the clay. Sara Errani? Sam Stosur? Francesca Schiavone? Okay, we went too far with Schiavone, but you get our drift...

10. Roger Federer still has it

Federer came through a very difficult draw and played back-to-back five-setters for the first time in his career in Australia en route to his 33rd career Grand Slam semifinal appearance. It might have been disappointing for some, but really it's not a bad way to start the year at all for the Swiss maestro. Australia, with its high bounce and slow Plexicushion, isn’t really an ideal venue for Federer at this juncture of his career, but he acquitted himself nicely in Melbourne nonetheless. If Federer is going to win another Slam, it is more than likely going to happen at Wimbledon or the U.S. Open. For him to get so close in Australia is more of a sign of good things to come in 2013 than a sign of an impending Fed-pocalypse.

(Photo Credit: Mark Peterson/ Corleve)