Australian Open 2026: OK, Happy Slam. I See You.

         I will be the first to admit that I used to make fun of over-the-hill NFL quarterbacks who couldn’t call it quits, no matter how badly their skills were waning. 

        OK, I’m probably still going to make fun of them because for the most part, these dudes tend to bring a whole team down with them when they start to decline. That said, I understand them a little better now after watching Venus Williams battle in round 1 of the Australian Open. 

        I’ve said before that the older you get, the less likely you are to tell someone they need to retire, for obvious reasons. I’ve wondered why Venus is still doing this and I’m convinced it’s not just for the health benefits. It’s not likely to win another Slam (which would be difficult in this current climate anyway). It’s for the love of the game. It’s because you can still do it. Stephen King is 78 years old. Imagine telling him to stop what he’s doing because he's old and doesn’t have a shot at his former glory. Despite wondering why Venus is still doing this, last night, it was obvious to the stadium and her opponent Olga Danilović that she is willing to show up and do the job. So I’m done cracking wise about age and just going to sit back and watch this extraordinary athlete steer her career wherever she wants it to go, and doing that well. 

        (But. Losing a 4-0 lead in the final set is brutal. Hang in there, girl.)

                  

The Happy Slam Gets Happier!

        Every time tennis tries to do something to draw in the masses, I give tremendous side-eye. But this year’s run-up to the Australian Open included a 1-Point Slam, and legends matches that involved Roger Federer, Andre Agassi, Pat Rafter and Ash Barty! This is what I’m talking about! I am talking about exhibitions that combine pros with amateur players and events that take full advantage of what tennis already has. That, notably is not the same as changing the rules to make the game more palatable. Or taking an actual Slam event and turning it into an exhibition. 

        Also, uh, got a chance to check in one of the sports legends that we don’t talk about enough (except on this corner of the Internet): 

 

        Is that ... is that Marat Safin!

        Oh, it is. And I thought he couldn’t get hotter. Long hair!?!!!? (#swoon)