Rod Laver arena will soon see action. The 2005 Australian Open. Many tennis players, and fans are anticipating this event. However, most of the “regular” sports fans are completely oblivious to the first slam of the year. The Australian Open has the worst television ratings of all the slams. Besides, the entire tournament is televised on cable. The first ten days can be seen on ESPN2, and the semi-final round, as well as the final round get the privilege of being on ESPN.
Why is the Australian Open less popular than the other slams? There is reasonable explanation.
The Australian Open is the furthest away from America. Australia’s hype doesn’t make its way to America in the fastest manner. The slams in Europe are more popular in the U.S. because the communication is more widespread and advanced in London and Paris. Australia is isolated by thousands of miles of ocean in any direction.
The Australian Open is played on hard-court surface, not the most interesting. The French Open (roland garros) is played on red Clay, less traction equals more chances of slipping and falling, and this leads to a higher level of difficulty. Wimbledon is played on grass. Everyone wants to see tennis played on grass. Wimbledon is the only televised grass-court tournament. Last but not least, the U.S. Open. There is nothing more to say but, it’s in America.
There is about a week until the tournament starts and I haven’t seen a single commercial on ESPN or ESPN2. The French Open, and Wimbledon are being advertised at least a few weeks before they start. And the U.S. open is advertised months before it starts.
Let’s just make light of all of this complaining and get down to what really matters, the players.
Here is a look at the woman’s draw:
In the past year the WTA (Woman’s Tennis Association) has been dominated by the Russians. Russian women won three of four slams in 2004. Anastasia Myskina defeated Elena Dementieiva 6-1, 6-2 in just 59 minutes to become the first Russian woman to ever win a grand slam. 17 year old blonde bombshell, Maria Sharpova took things from there, and notched one of the all time biggest upsets in Wimbledon history, beating two-time defending champion Serena Williams. At the U.S. Open Svetlana Kuznetsova wrapped up the Russian 3-peat. All three of these women are in the top five rankings going into the Australian Open. The January/February issue of Tennis Magazine proclaims these three women the “Russian Princesses.”
There is some new talent entering the qualifying round at the Aussie Open. Among many, 15-year-old Nicole Vaidisova. This young prospect from the Czech Republic was said to be one best junior players of all time. If she can get past the qualification rounds, she has a significant chance of making a strong impression on the women’s circuit.
Surprisingly, the favorite for this year is not a Russian. Californian, Lindsey Davenport is the favorite. Davenport has only lost ten matches in Australia, and being from Southern California she is accustomed to the heat of the Australian Summer.
The women’s draw this year will surely be exciting, but it’s the men that make tennis what it is today, with 157mph serves, longer sets, and increased difficulty, the men’s draw will be awesome.
As 2004 came to an end Roger Federer was named the 2004 player of the year. Federer has come up through the rankings in the past few years, and spent nearly all of 2004 at the # 1 spot. Federer has a lot to be proud of; He is the only person who can beat Andy Roddick on a regular basis.
So what about Andy Roddick? Roddick didn’t have a wonderful 2004, but he led the U.S. to a stellar Davis Cup season. However, I don’t think Andy will take the trophy this year. I believe he will make it to the semi-finals and loose in a close set to either Roger Federer or Lleyton Hewitt.
Speaking of Lleyton Hewitt, he has a great chance of winning it all. He is one of those guys that have been just hanging around behind Federer and Roddick the past year. Lleyton Hewitt is from Australia, this will push him to strive for victory in front of his biggest fans, and in his homeland.
Here are some of my predictions for 2005:
I believe Lindsey Davenport will have another break out year and make a final mark on the women’s tennis.
The Williams sisters’ year will be similar to last year, staying in the top 10 in the rankings and serena will be # 1 in fashion.
The Russians will keep it rolling, and their youth will come up and slowly take over the tour.
The Belgians will fizzle out due to injury.
The top 4 men in the rankings will equally divide the Grand Slam trophies
Lleyton Hewitt will win the Australian Open
Marat Safin will win the French Open
Rodger Federer will win Wimbledon
Andy Roddick will win the U.S. open
With live Aussie Open coverage going late into the night in America, we must adapt to different sleeping patterns to catch a spectacle of true focus and athleticism
2005 will be another exciting yet overlooked year in tennis.
2 replies on “2005 Australian Open Preview”
Popularity of Aussie Open? “The slams in Europe are more popular in the U.S. because the communication is more widespread and advanced in London and Paris. Australia is isolated by thousands of miles of ocean in any direction.”
This may have been true in the past, but in today’s digital, Internet-based world, I don’t think this is the reason for the Australian’s lack of interest in the US. Look at the 2000 Olympics, there was plenty of interest for them in the US and they took place in Sydney.
I think the answer lies more in the fact that men’s tennis just isn’t that popular in the US. Until a Tiger Woods-type player comes along to resuscitate the sport, it will always be an also-ran on the sports consciousness of Americans.
Federer it could be argued that there is already a Tiger Woods-type player in men’s tennis; unfortunately for those who would like to see tennis popularity increase in the US, he happens to be Swiss. of course, Americans tend to only pay attention when Americans are winning.
Roger Federer won 3 out of 4 Grand Slam events last year, only lost 6 times all year, and won his last 20+ matches against all other top ten players. that probably compares very favorably to Tiger’s best year on the PGA, when he won three Grand Slam events. Federer’s also a shotmaker, instead of just a big server, so he’s great to watch.
i predict that Federer wins three more Slams this year.