It’s the coolest sporting event no one in the United States knows about. Every January the best tennis players in the world travel to the far side of the globe to kick off the Grand Slam season in Melbourne with the Australian Open.
While we’re bundled up in the middle of winter, it’s glorious summer Down Under. So for two weeks, massive Aussie crowds pack the grounds around Rod Laver Arena. You want to see why they call it the “Happy Slam”? Check out the fans on Australia Day — their country’s version of the Fourth of July. Thousands watch quarterfinal matches inside the big stadium and smaller arenas. But thousands more sit outside and take in the action on big-screens set up around the grounds. Of course, you’re likely not as aware about any of this because — to us — tennis Down Under is contested in the middle of the night.
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That’s too bad. ESPN unleashes hours of quality coverage daily, starting around 9 p.m. for the early rounds. Matches that run late into the night in Melbourne may not end until 7 or 8 a.m. Eastern. While you slept in on a Sunday morning last February, Roger Federer — the greatest tennis champion we’ve ever seen — sobbed uncontrollably during the trophy presentation after he was bested by rival Rafael Nadal, who was so moved he actually apologized for winning. And moments like that happen all the time at the Aussie Open.
So can you handle staying up into the wee hours on Friday morning for some great tennis? You might remember John Isner, the big American who battled Andy Roddick in last year’s Legg Mason semifinal loss here in the District and then beat him at the U.S. Open. Isner, seeded No. 33, faces France’s Gael Monfils, the No. 12 seed and one of the sport’s most colorful players. Those two met at the 2007 Legg Mason and put on a classic show — a 7-6, 6-7, 7-6 win that Isner called “a war.” Another epic would be in character for the Australian Open — but only a select few would know about it.
