The Uplifting Game

A lazy Sunday afternoon – taking it easy, playing a bit of synthesizer – rekindling my old hobby. After a quick chat with my old school buddies, I decided to check my WhatsApp. Quite a few messages in one of our groups about Australian Open Tennis Men’s final …

‘Age is catching up. It is impossible for Rafael Nadal (at the age of 35) to turn around from here (playing against higher seeded younger opponent Medvedev).’

They were referring to the situation below – Nadal trailing Medvedev by 2 sets, and the 3rd set as well. Not only us human, but also a machine learning algorithm gave Medvedev 96% winning chance at that moment.

What happened next was a fairy tale. Nadal came out as a winner in the marathon final match which lasted for 5 hours 24 minutes, with lots of twists and turns. He also became the first player in world history to win 21 Grand Slam titles in Tennis.

A champion hero and winner, who was not even sure that he would be able to play professional tennis again, even 90 days before the tournament; due to problem with his feet and other Covid related issues. Sheer grit and determination, never giving up, backing himself in the most difficult moments – Nadal is a true champion, inspiring many with his uplifting game. When machine and people alike ready to write him off, Nadal is ready to write his own script.

When machine and people alike ready to write him off, Nadal is ready to write his own script.

Everyone now is talking about Nadal and historic Australian Open Men’s single Final. So, I am tempted to ask this question. Who won the Australian Open for Women’s single in 2022?

Yes, she is current world number 1 in women’s tennis – Ashleigh Barty, an Australian winning Australian Open Singles title after 44 years. A child prodigy in Tennis, she won girls' singles title at Wimbledon in 2011. She also ended up finishing runner-up at three Grand Slam doubles events, including at the Australian Open at the young age of 16.

While her career was shaping up, Barty shocked the world in 2014 by deciding to take a break from Tennis with no promise of a definitive return – she was just 18 years old then. She was not fulfilled with what she was doing and needed to take a pause – creating room for self-reflection, deciding what to do next. No doubt it required a lot of courage and self-confidence to do that, at the start of one’s career.

Barty finally came back to Tennis in 2016 after 2 years of break and since then her ascent has been phenomenal. Since September 9, 2019, she has been the reigning world number 1 in Women’s tennis and already won 3 Grand Slams.

The Australian Open in 2022, which started with a high drama and controversy with Novak Djokovic’s visa, ended on a high. The game was the ultimate winner and the champions like Nadal and Barty inspired us with their uplifting game of self-leadership, courage, and determination. ?

Rafael Nadal, while taking the trophy, mentioned that he will be back in Australian Open next year. Barty will also be back. Will they win in 2023? Who cares? They are already winners, winning our hearts ...

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Disclaimer:?The views expressed in this article are my personal point of view and do not in any way represent that of the organization I work for.

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