Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray’s burgeoning grand slam rivalry turns another page today, with the two iron-men of tennis bracing for a world of pain when they clash in the final of the Australian Open.
Although good friends off the court dating back to their junior days, the two 25-year-olds hold no quarter once they cross the white lines, and have made a habit of punishing each other in gruelling five-set duels at the grand slams.
Briton Murray lost a near-five hour battle to eventual champion Djokovic in the semi-finals last year, but avenged the defeat in a five-set thriller to win the US Open and his maiden grand slam title.
“I hope it’s a painful match because that will mean it’s a good one,” Murray told the centre court crowd after grinding down Roger Federer in five sets in the semi-final.
Double defending champion Djokovic, who played the longest ever grand slam final against Rafa Nadal last year, has also resigned himself to an attritional slog to capture his third Melbourne Park title in a row.
“Considering the fact that every time we played in last probably six, seven encounters, it was always a long match, physically very demanding, going three sets and five sets in grand slams,” the world no.1 told reporters.
“So, I guess we have to expect something similar to happen, long rallies, and I’m ready for that.”
Both have a chance to write themselves into history in today’s final.
Djokovic will bid to become the first man since tennis went professional in 1969 to win the Australian Open final three years in a row.
Third seed Murray has a chance to become the first man in the professional era to win a second major immediately after his first.
Whatever the result, tennis fans are likely to regard themselves the winners should the pair turn on a marathon.
Fans were long spoiled by the all-consuming rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal that dominated the men’s game for the better part of last decade.
But with queries about Spaniard Nadal’s creaky knees and with the sun slowly setting on Federer’s glittering career, Djokovic and Murray have taken over their legacy and appear primed to carry it on for years to come.