NOTE from the Tennis Abides Legal Team*: Whatever fond memories I have of watching Sofia the First with my children when they were younger, I think it is clear that Sofia Kenin being called Queen Sofia I bears no resemblance to the Disney program.    

Novak Djokovic claimed his record 8th Australian Open title while Sofia Kenin took home her first major title in Melbourne by beating the future, the present, and a mercurial talent with two-major titles of her own.  They won in similar ways by returning well, extending points when they had to, counter-punching when the could, and being mentally locked in on victory.

Eight and counting?

Novak Djokovic added the inaugural ATP Cup for Serbia to his 8th Australian Open title.  He is also #1 in the world once more due to Rafael Nadal not defending all of his 2019 Australian Open runner-up points.  I expect Novak to play better at Indian Wells and Miami than he did in 2019 so his reign at #1 may last through Wimbledon at least.

Most players have a swoon after winning a first major.  I think Sofia Kenin’s mentality might help with avoiding this, but I thought the same thing about Ash Barty and Naomi Osaka (who was polite enough to win a second major before swooning a bit).  It is a tough trap to avoid, but her future is bright even if a bit of patchy tennis follows for the next 6-18 months.

Garbine Muguruza and Dominic Thiem have launched their 2020 well, but it will be interesting if either suffers from a hang-over from their losses.

I prefer the 2019 version. In fact, it is my favorite non-tennis Novak Moment.**

*I have watched some old Perry Mason episodes so that gives me some sort of legal background

**Here it is