While the rest of the world was viewing this Australian Open as providing the answer as to whether Rafa Nadal would annex his 21st Slam title and separate himself from Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, or whether Daniil Medvedev would continue his role as spoiler, and claim his 2nd consecutive Slam title; for Australians, this 2022 Slam will always be about Ash Barty, the Special K’s, and wheelchair tennis hero, Dylan Alcott. And let Ashleigh break open the bottles of amber, of grog (Aussie slang words for beer), and lead the toast!

1978 - that’s the last time an Australian woman won their Open, 1980 the last time there was an Australian finalist. So as Ashleigh Barty methodically mowed down her opponents to reach the Final, the only real question left hanging was if the momentous nature of the occasion would get to her. On the other side, was American Danielle Collins, herself a tough survivor. And if the first set went Barty’s way, that Collins broke early and held a 5-1 lead in the second, had Australians digging deep into their pockets, looking for some lucky charm that would put Ash back on track.

Call it kangaroo-luck, or koala-charm; but the prayers of Australia were answered; as Barty stormed back to take that second set in a tiebreak and clinch the title, putting an end to 44 years of waiting. Evonne Goolagong-Cawley was rushed to the stadium to present the trophy. And a clear sign of why Ash is loved and regarded as so down to earth, was when, during the televised post-match interview, she was game to chug down a Corona in celebration, and insisted the TV panel join her. She actually asked for a Peroni, but it was Corona that was on hand. This is Barty’s 3rd Slam - after the 2019 French Open, and 2021 Wimbledon.

Next up after the Saturday Women’s Final was the Men’s Doubles, an All-Aussie affair. The avidly followed & controversial Special K’s - Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis, up against Ebden and Purcell - the joke going around being no first names required (Matt & Max, if you need to know), as they were flying so under the Australian radar. You could have actually billed it as the Special K’s versus M&M, but most would be scratching their heads, wondering who M&M were.

With their very public bromance - hugging like no tomorrow, and tapping/pinching butts, and their inciting the crowd to being rowdy & boisterous; the Special K’s had taken this Australian Open by storm. While some journalists would bemoan about how it was so Un-Tennis, you can be sure that TV coverage and stadium attendance were super-happy with this pair. That they would lift the Doubles Cup belies the talent the pair actually possess, and how it goes beyond the hype and controversy. Curious to see if the two continue to team up for the upcoming Slams.

Dylan Alcott would be another great Australian storyline from this year’s Open. The current Australian Of the Year, Dylan was poised to retire after this Open, after years of lording it in the wheelchair tennis arena. I only got the opportunity to watch these matches closely this year, and it’s a testament to upper body strength and perseverance that this event even exists. That’s some dedication to the sport; and the only rain cloud to Dylan’s fairytale ending was how he reached the Final, but lost to the younger Sam Schroder. For many of the handicapped and/or physically challenged, Alcott will always be a hero and inspiration.

Before the Men’s Final was set, the Aussie Open’s second week more than lived up to its billing. In the Quarters, we had really exciting matches - the Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. Daniil Medvedev will be my standout. Felix took the first two sets with masterful tennis, and it was looking like the birth of a new player who would stand as a true contender. But Medvedev stormed back, game by game, even when facing Match Point, proving you can’t play mind games with this hard-nosed fighter.

Denis Shopavolov vs Rafa, and the Matteo Berrettini vs Gael Monfils were great matches as well. And we can thank the tennis gods that these matches on the Men’s side were happening, as the Women’s matches were relative snorefests. Both the Quarters and Semi’s of the Women’s side were error-strewn, and marked by tentative tennis, such that one player would practically walk over her opponent. That Barty was reaching the Final, was the saving grace for the local audience. Otherwise, no one would have been awake watching these matches.

For the Men’s Final, it was history being made. A 21st Slam title would be a first, and that a player had gained his first Slam and won his second in the next calendar Slam would also be a first. So no matter who would come out on top, tennis history was going to be rewritten. I’ll confess I was rooting for Rafa, but as he didn’t seem all that match-fit, I was apprehensive for him, knowing that Daniil is not the kind of player you can rattle. We saw that in his match with Felix; and how in the Semi’s with Tsitsipas, after his meltdown over coaching by Tsitsipas’ father, he regained his composure to close out the match.

Medvedev struck first, and the irony was that he was taking most of the baseline exchanges of the first set, with Rafa only winning points where he’d come in to volley, or get short balls from Daniil. Second set was very competitive, but Medvedev took it on a dramatic tiebreak. The third was tooth and nail, and never let it be said that Rafa isn’t a 35-year old warrior, as he took the 3rd and 4th sets. The 5th set was a battle of attrition, a test of physical and mental will.

And in a classic for the ages, and showing the heart of a fighter, Rafa takes home his 21st title, 7-5 in the fifth set, in a match where he was seemingly on the ropes, down and out, and yet somehow, found a way to eke out a win. On to the French Open, and what a match!