Hot Highlights

• [4:50] Jannik’s forehand winner to go up 4-2 40-15 in the fifth in the final. I love this particular highlight because the point itself is unbelievable and Jannik’s stare afterwards is chilling

• [5:28] de Minaur’s backhand pass off of his shoelaces to go up 2 sets to 1 against Rublev in the fourth round. An entirely new YouTube channel should be made just for this match’s highlights. Incredible level, shot making and classic offense vs defense match.

• [24:30] Rybakina’s forehand winner down match point in the longest singles tiebreak in grand slam history. Have a few minutes? Maybe 30? This entire tiebreak is worth it. DRAMA

Thinking Out Loud

• Whoever is running the Australian Open TV Youtube channel, THANK YOU! Having the 8-9 min highlight versions are so helpful to get a better sense of the each match’s story. Last year during Wimbledon, I remember being so frustrated that their YouTube highlight videos were only 3 minutes long.

• Love him or hate him, Kyrgios was pretty good in the booth! It was clear that despite how much the grind of the tour has challenged Nick, he’s a complete nerd about the game, and you love to see someone love something so much.

Now waiting for Indian Wells like…

Parting Thoughts

The happy slam never disappoints! I’m so excited to see Sinner break through. His quick rise to the top has been like how Elizabeth Gilbert once described great art: surprising yet inevitable. I am certainly at fault for not watching more of the women’s side, but it seems like Sabalenka was and will continue to be dominant.

ps - here’s a clip of Sabalenka making sprints more fun for herself.

Thanks for reading!

DP