Every year, I wait in anticipation for January to come around. I know that sounds silly, getting excited about a month to come along, but think about the events that happen in this month. There is the BCS National Championship, NFL playoffs, the NFL and NHL All-Star games, and the beginning of new sports seasons. Yes, everything I mentioned there seems pretty obvious, except for the beginning of a new sport season. So many people are caught up in the NFL playoffs, which is why they forget about the beginning of the tennis season. That might not seem exciting, but it is when you mention the words, Australian Open.
Men’s tennis has four of the best athletes in the world. There couldn’t have been a better finish to the first Grand Slam of the season, then having the top four faceoff in the semifinals.
In a matchup that we have become used to seeing in a major final, the No. 2 seed Rafael Nadal faced off against the No. 3 seed Roger Federer. In one of the most riveting rivalries in tennis history, this match surely did not upset. Nadal has made easy work of Federer in recent history, holding a 6-2 edge over his opponent in Grand Slam Finals. After losing the first set 7-6 in a tie-breaker, Nadal rattled off three straight set wins to defeat Federer in four sets.
Still known as one of the greatest tennis players of all-time, I believe that Federer has won his last of his 16 Grand Slam titles. Federer last won a Grand Slam title in 2010 when he ran through his opponents on his way to a win at the Australian Open. The last eight Grand Slam titles have been won by either Nadal, or the winner of the second semifinal, Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic struggled a bit more on his way to the championship match, defeating the No. 4 seed Andy Murray in five sets.
Coming into the Australian Open, Djokovic and Nadal were the top two seeds respectively, and have proven themselves by making it to the final.
The 2012 Australian Open final will go down as one of the best Grand Slam finals in the history of tennis. After lasting a historic six hours, Djokovic was able to outlast his foe in five sets, earning himself yet another Grand Slam title.
Switching gears, it was also All-Star weekend in the NHL and NFL.
Last year, the NHL held its first player draft to decide who will be playing on which all-star team. This event has created more of a buzz then in past years, but still has its flaws. It has turned into more of a political event then about hockey. The team captains decide on whom they would rather have on their team, and to top it off, whoever is picked last, receives a car. I believe that is bad luck turning to good luck. You are still an all-star like every other player chosen, but just because the NHL feels bad you were chosen last, you receive a car. That is similar to a little league program, when everyone received a trophy, whether you came in first or last place.
On Saturday, Jan. 28, they held the annual skills competition between the two teams. This even has lost some flare throughout the past years. Team Alfredsson came out victorious over Team Chara, much to the delight of the home crowd in Ottawa.
The next day the stars were on display as Team Chara was looking for revenge in the All-Star game. These games are known to reach double-digit points, because like most all-star games, there is no defense. This game did not go off track, as Team Chara defeated Team Alfredsson, 12-9. The most impressive of stars was Marian Gaborik of the New York Rangers. Gaborik scored three goals, two against his Ranger teammate Henrik Lundqvist, as well as an assist. Gaborik was named the game’s MVP.
From one All-Star game to the next, the NFL Pro Bowl followed right after the NHL All-Star game. The Pro Bowl has received some negative responses over the years, however, this year it reached its peak. For the second straight year, they played the game the week before the Super Bowl, so anyone who received an invite but is participating in the Super Bowl, is not allowed to play. That takes away usually some of the top players in the game. The next piece of criticism is that it isn’t played like a regular football game. The rules are altered so no one can blitz, and no shifting allowed; among other rule changes.
This year, the NFL took it to another level allowing players to tweet on the sideline during the game; something they would be fined for during the regular season. This game has turned into more of a media stunt then a game that showcases the best talent the game has to offer.
There were numerous times throughout the game that the players received “boos” from the crowd for their lack of intensity, and to play the game how it was meant to be played. The only difference between the Pro Bowl and a pickup two hand touch game played on the weekend, is that they were wearing pads. After watching this game, you wonder how anyone on defense was good enough to make the Pro Bowl, as the AFC All-Stars topped the NFC All-Stars 59-41.
After watching a game of that magnitude, it amplifies how I feel about the Super Bowl this coming weekend. I could not wait for the coverage to begin and the focus to be shifted to how football is supposed to be played.
The “Rematch” between the New York Giants and New England Patriots will be exactly that. I expect the Giants to overcome all adversity and defeat the mighty Patriots. One thing is for sure, the Super Bowl will remind us all why we have become so passionate about a game revolved around pigskin.
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