Sinner or saint

The Australian Open women’s singles champion is stateless, not because the tournament refuses to honor her country, but because it does not condone how Belarus enables Russia to invade Ukraine. Regardless, Aryna Sabalenka defended her crown in a lopsided final against the Chinese Asiad gold medalist.

Qinwen Zheng is the same woman Alex Eala took a set from in their semi-final match at the Asian Games last year. Alex fought back in the second set tiebreak to force a decider against the then world number 23, in yet another proof the Filipino prodigy can do some damage against world best. Although far from the league where Mirra Andreeva is headed. While the 16-year old Russian ended her campaign in the fourth round, the future of women’s tennis has been found. Why can’t Eala be like her? Simple, Alex is not her. Don’t wish somebody to be like anybody they’re not.

And be careful with what you wish for. Last year Novak Djokovic predicted the next big 3 who will force him out of tennis. Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune. Of course Carlos. There was no escape from Alcaraz for Djokovic in the Wimbledon final last year. The Spaniard averted a calendar slam never achieved by any man in the open era. And in the semi-finals last Sunday, Sinner humanized Novak in the slam he owns. In four sets. Not even close. Djokovic was simply outplayed.

Apparently, he was not at his best. But he is still the best. The Serbian can still win another slam or two. Pretty much the same prediction when he equaled Rafael Nadal’s 22. With 24, he now owns the all-time best record, man or woman. Margaret Court does not count, especially her stand on apartheid and gender issues.

But for the Italian to beat the invincible, he already won the crown. Djokovic did not lose in the slam down under five years in a row. Except to himself, when he was booted out due to his vaccination status against the crowned virus.

Sinner was not content with the virtual crown he stole from the 10-time champion. He wanted the real crown. But standing in his way is another stateless contender. Russian Daniil Medvedev. Again, it is not because the tournament refuses to honor his country, but because it does not condone how it invaded Ukraine. Without provocation.

Medvedev appeared headed to finally win the championship he lost twice. He bucked a 2-0 deficit in the semis to book a ticket to the finals. Against Sinner, the Russian won the first two sets. Almost his. But not yet, the Italian won the last three. Reversal of fortunes. Not really. That’s tennis. It ain’t over till the fat lady sings. Although this proverb did not start with tennis. It is believed to start in an opera or American baseball. Wherever, today fat is no longer fit to describe the overweight.

But immaculately clean describes Sinner best. He hits the ball clean, especially with his forehand and serve. And he behaves well. In and out of court. Here is a sinner who can enter the gate to heaven. Unlike others who are ghostly in church but ghastly elsewhere.