Australian Open 2012

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal had just played the longest match in Grand Slam finals history.

It was a great match of tennis, a true exhibition of resilience, strength, patience, courage, toughness and persistence; throughout those 5 hours and 53 minutes of marathon.
This is how champions are made, through constant grinding and pushing up against the wall. Both the players were so drained out that they could barely stand during the award ceremony.

After coming back from 5-3 down to win the fourth-set tiebreaker, Nadal was up a break at 4-2 in the fifth set against Djokovic, who seemed to be tiring. But the No. 1-ranked Djokovic, who needed almost five hours to win his semifinal against Andy Murray, somehow responded. He broke for a 6-5 lead and saved a break point before finally claiming the win.

This was a true exhibition of never say die attitude from both the players, however the physical and mental strength makes the big difference at the end. This is the difference between a champion and a mediocre.

It was just a great game of tennis at the end of the day.

Leander Paes has won men’s doubles championship and is runner up in mixed-double, which is good news for all of us.

The smell of winning sweat is always great and that keeps the players motivated to give more.