En route Novak Slam

Down Under witnessed a gripping Men's singles finals as the world's top two locked eyes across the net for an astonishing 53rd time. The world may have expected a nail-biting game of tennis; but instead, were treated to magnificence by the world number one. Novak Djokovic wrapped up the Australian Open (AO) in style – registering a clinical straight sets finish by beating world number two Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 to clinch his record-breaking seventh AO title. Both sets of fans will unanimously pronounce how the 107th final of AO was, comprehensively, a Novak-anchored show. History was on Djokovic's side as he took centre-court – having never lost a final here. His chances were further strenghtened as this was Nadal's first tour since retiring in the 2018 US Open semi-finals against Del Potro, following which he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle. But hindsight will tell you otherwise, for Rafa did not drop a set en route the final – the seventh time he has done so.

The Final

An enthralling display by Djokovic rendered Rafa helpless as the Spaniard, for the first time in his 25 major finals, failed to win a single set in the encounter. A whitewash, as many summarised, it was Novak's overwhelming energy and flawless technique coupled with just nine unforced errors in the entire match that earned him a conclusive victory. While on a high of fighting spirit, Rafa spent the entire match trying to change the tempo to gather momentum for his swings and cuts. Still he was a dim flame in front of the Serbian wildfire. Rafa's remodelled serve – a resurgence post his injury – which was only broken twice in the entire tournament, was comfortably managed by the Serb. Inconsistency and uncertainty were the two negatives for Rafa, as he may have realised going into the second set. However, against a stupendous opponent riding on record-setting form, Rafa's improvisations succumbed just as he evidently, and eventually, did. Djokovic's 124 minutes on the court to demolish Rafa sound a mere exaggeration of the duo's past encounters, except that it wasn't. The last time these two met in an Australian Open final, it took Djokovic 353 minutes to beat Nadal. Much to spectators' expectations, the final was captivating yet short-lived considering how tennis matches, and especially finals, have the capacity to go on. In the end, Rafa failed to make an impression. Given the odds and the performance, it was a satisfying finale. Maybe Rafa could have pounced to spike competency, but even then, the win would have deservingly been Novak's.

The top two discourse

Novak's improved serve and impeccable backhand technique could not be matched by Rafa's, given how both had to delve in and reinvent their technique after recovering from respective injuries. An analogy between their recovery and eventual performance is plausible only because even Novak had to fight a dip in performance induced by a surgery he battled 12 months ago. And boy he did! The Serbian won Wimbledon and US Open in 2018 to prove, to himself more than his critics, that he is here to rewrite the 21st-century narrative of tennis. It makes up an interesting account of how Djokovic's self-belief has been instrumental in his resurgence after injury, something that Rafa fans are hoping to glimpse in the Spaniard's tour this year. "I'm a true believer in visualisation. I had to do it 12 months ago after the surgery because I wasn't playing well, I wasn't feeling good on the court, I was questioning everything. It was highly unlikely I would be holding three grand slams", said an overwhelmed Djokovic who eyes a second Novak Slam – winning all four grand slams consecutively – taking another step in the already unprecedented feat, given how neither Roger Federer nor Rafa has managed even one. Novak is aware that making history in a sport that he loves is truly remarkable. His loud shout across Rod Laver Arena to mark his record-breaking seventh Down Under crown is a testimony to his perseverance. Speaking of his 'great rival', he acknowledged Rafa's post-injury effort, citing how this rivalry between them had been the most significant one, impacting him both professionally and personally. Meanwhile, Rafa admitted that he missed the extra gear required to overcome the Serb as his defensive and offensive game were not balanced. His analysis of the two weeks showed lacklustre on the defensive front. Obviously, a great player like Rafa himself would not succumb in this fashion is what tennis fans, not just his fans, the world over, would have reckoned. He coyly acknowledged that even at his 100 per cent he would not have made any difference to the final – grossly admiring Djokovic's prodigious game. But, at the same time, his inherent passion must have roared citing how things will be different at Ronald Garros – Rafa's bastion. Tennis had the last laugh as both praised the other's efforts and congratulated each other, living up to the spirit of the game – as is expected of them, who are sportsmen first and rivals second.

NextGen? Not yet

For a long time, the Big Three have dominated the headlines and grand slams, denying any limelight to the next generation of players. The world was stunned when 20-year-old Stefanos Tsitsipas sunk his idol Roger Federer in the fourth-round in four sets. Before this, Juan Martin del Porto had defeated Federer in the Indian Wells Masters 1000 final to clinch his maiden Masters 1000 title while Karen Khachanov also clinched his first Masters 1000 title by defeating Djokovic in Paris. World number three Alexander Zverev won Madrid and was in the finals of Miami and Rome to build upon the NextGen narrative, but is yet to go beyond the quarter-finals in a Slam. Adding to the list are Dominic Thiem and Borna Ćorić who have displayed fair performances across the ATP tour. However, as Nadal urged, the next generation can "wait a little bit" – it genuinely seems like they still lack the formula to go all the way in winning grand slams. Though the same is not true for Women's singles division where Naomi Osaka clinched her maiden Australian crown, adding to her first US Open title which she won last year. But in the Men's division, things are still very much in the hands of the formidable three.

The prevailing Big Three

As Novak edged past Roger Federer and Roy Emerson to be the champion Down Under – winning it for an unprecedented seventh time, he also clinched the third spot in the all-time honour of slams by having 15 majors, shy only to Rafa's 17 and Roger's 20. The list screams to the NextGen that our champions are not done yet. While Andy Murray's announced departure is a loss for tennis – owing to how the paradigm changes from Big Four to Three – nevertheless, Murray will always be counted amongst them for having won two consecutive Golds in Olympics (2012 and 2016), something that still eludes the Big Three. But, the Big Three have their records which are staggering, to say the least. Between them, they boast of 52 Grand Slam titles. While Federer is the undisputed 'king of grass' (eight Wimbledon titles) and Rafa rules the clay (11 French Open titles), Djokovic has made a name for himself by being the Down Under Champion. How do you challenge them? With age on his side, Djokovic can go all the way to break Federer's record of 20 Slams, though not unless the latter reignites to add to the list. But the decisive note is that, together, they are a class apart and the NextGen must acknowledge that. While Rafa and Roger will be eagerly waiting for the upcoming challenges, Novak will look to etch history by going for the Novak Slam. He has the clay court's champion to defeat and, it hardly matters if he has done it on a hard court because Rafa is the undisputed clay king. This brings us to the possibility of witnessing a rematch between the two at this year's French Open in May – where Nadal will be eagerly waiting to settle scores!