Aryna Sabalenka was serving for the match in the women’s singles final of the Australian Open, up 5-2 in the second set of a contest that seemingly passed in an instant.
As in most of the match, the final game was going the Belarusian’s way. Leading 40-0, the defending champion had three match points. The engraver, his tools at the ready.
“Jiayou,” one fan shouted, the ubiquitous cry of support from Chinese sports fans. “Jiayou,” another echoed. They were there for Zheng Qinwen, who will move into the world top 10 for the first time after this tournament.
And the 21-year-old, who rolled through the draw without facing another seed, appeared to lift. One match point saved. Then a second. And a third. Then, for the first time, a show of frustration from Sabalenka. Close to 15,000 ticket holders had paid their money, and finally they found value in their entertainment. This was as much of a contest as they had seen all night.
On the players duelled, and Zheng wasn’t going away. Sabalenka faulted, and rolled her eyes. Two points later she flung a ball away in frustration. How much longer did she have to be here?
For the spectators present, and the millions watching on television, a little longer would have been nice. After all, the Australian Open was described by Tennis Australia’s chair, Jayne Hrdlicka, after the match as “one of the world’s best entertainment and sporting experiences”.
The tournament was celebrating welcoming one million fans over the past three weeks, a new spectator record. But early in the match, organisers seemed to be having second thoughts about letting in one young woman. Dressed in a cap and what appeared to be a Golden State Warriors singlet, she had to be spoken to by security for cheering too loud. She was seated close to the VIPs, and the ushers seemed worried she was being a disruption. Storied it may be, but Rod Laver Arena is that kind of place.
Look closer and the international flavour is thick. Sponsors are from multiple continents, including a Chinese alcoholic spirit. And Chinese flags were in abundance in the stands – more than a dozen in total, held aloft by boisterous Zheng fans.
The Belarusian flag of Zheng’s opponent, on the other hand, has been banned for the country’s role in the Ukraine invasion. That security policy, a glimpse into the geopolitical complexities mostly avoided at Melbourne Park.
China and Belarus hardly have reputations as model global citizens. But in Sabalenka and Zheng, officials have struck gold. Both marketable heroes, seemingly well-liked by other players on the tour, with extraordinary skill with the racket. Both were friendly and gracious in their post-match address, and their achievements on the court have been sensational.
This match was no exception, and the crowd regularly gasped at the ferocity of the groundstrokes exchanged. Although Zheng was clearly second best – she was broken in her first service game in each set – the Chinese player hit more winners than Sabalenka, and was only really let down by her second serve.
As defending champion, Sabalenka enjoys a warm relationship with Melbourne Park’s patrons, yet it was Zheng that enjoyed the more fervent support. It was helped by her choice of outfit, a green and gold dress. And as she struggled to stay in touch with Sabalenka, the underdog garnered even greater favour.
And though this is known as the “happy slam”, and has positioned itself as the major for Asia-Pacific, not everyone was welcome. Two protestors jumped up in the early part of the second set with a Palestine flag. Their cries were met by a torrent of boos and they were removed. Seconds later Zheng won a game. The cheers in response seemed as much in relief as they were suppor.
Minutes later and – in that marathon final game – the crowd could enjoy something more to their liking. Sabalenka overcoming her frustration. There was an ace and a shrug to save break point. A scream in relief. Though the match lasted only 76 minutes, it provided brilliant tennis and ended with a Sabalenka smile.
