This is a tough period for everyone globally and most people are having to entertain themselves in any way they can with numerous streaming services and indoor activities.
So, with all sport suspended too, I want to share with you some of my favourite Grand Slam men’s matches that you could re-live to pass the time whilst in lockdown.
1 - 2017 Australian Open Final - Roger Federer def. Rafael Nadal 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-3
In what many called the ‘Throwback Open’ Roger and Rafa renewed their epic rivalry after both coming off serious injuries at the end of 2016. Federer was 35 and coming off an epic five set win over compatriot Stan Wawrinka, while Nadal had also won his semi in five against Grigor Dimitrov.
Federer came out the aggressor in the decider, taking the first stanza before Nadal bounced back to level it. After the Swiss Maestro claimed the third 6-1 it looked like he would steamroll to his 18th major and extend his lead over Nadal in the major tally but the Spaniard thought otherwise forcing a deciding fifth.
Nadal gained the ascendancy in the fifth with the early break before Federer reeled off the final five games of the match with some intoxicating shotmaking. The crowd was sent into a frenzy and it became an instant folklore match at Melbourne Park.
2 - 2015 Roland Garros Final - Stan Wawrinka def. Novak Djokovic 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4
Wawrinka and Djokovic had already played four thrilling Grand Slam matches before this encounter, with the most recent before the Paris decider a five setter in the Australian Open semifinals with the Serb avenging his quarterfinal loss from the year before.
Djokovic entered the match as the heavy favourite, being just the second man to defeat Rafael Nadal on the famous red dirt of Roland Garros. He sure started well claiming the first set in style and looking on track to finally achieve his career Slam.
However, the script took an unexpected turn with the Swiss star’s trademark backhand hitting full flight en route to a second Grand Slam title. It is considered some of the greatest shot making ever produced on a tennis court.
3 - 2005 Australian Open QF - Lleyton Hewitt def. David Nalbandian 6-3 6-2 1-6 3-6 10-8
Lleyton Hewitt was again carrying the hopes of a nation and had finally broken his fourth round duck at Melbourne Park with an epic five set win over Rafael Nadal. His next opponent was the man he beat in the 2002 Wimbledon decider, Argentine David Nalbandian.
Hewitt quickly took control of the match racing to a two set lead before the crowd was silenced by some terrific flare from Nalbandian, who displayed agility and power of the highest level to force the match to a final set.
As the clock edged past midnight in Melbourne, the party was only beginning on the rebound ace, with Hewitt finally edging his counterpart to reach his first Australian Open semifinal, with the final ‘Come on’ lifting the Rod Laver Arena roof off its hinges.
4 - 2019 US Open Final - Rafael Nadal def. Daniil Medvedev 7-5 6-3 5-7 4-6 6-4
Rafael Nadal was two majors behind Roger Federer in the all time tally and he was taking on young Russian star Daniil Medvedev, who was in a rich vein of form.
Nadal raced out to a two set lead and looked comfortable in the third set before Medvedev raised the bar forcing a decider and holding a break point early in the final stanza. Being the champion that he is Nadal went into lockdown mode and raced away with a commanding double break.
The tension was not resolved, with the Russian breaking back and holding break points in the final game with Nadal saving them and claiming a 19th Grand Slam crown.
5 - 2020 Australian Open QF - Roger Federer def. Tennys Sangdren 6-3 2-6 2-6 7-6 6-3
It was a match for the ages on Rod Laver Arena, with 20-time Grand Slam champion taking on America Tennys Sandgren who was in just his second Grand Slam quarterfinal.
Federer claimed the first set with relative ease before seeming to pick up an injury in the second, causing Sandgren to punch and claim the next two with gusto. During the fourth the 38-year-old was on the complete back foot, saving a whopping total of SEVEN match points to somehow claim the fourth in a tiebreak.
Sandgren was never to recover as the Swiss native ran away with the decider to reach a 15th Australian Open semifinal.
Random - 2010 Wimbledon First Round - John Isner def. Nicolas Mahut 6-4 3-6 6-7 7-6 70-68
It may not have been the best match in history but gosh was it thrilling, it just never ended! Nobody knew what was about to unfold on Court 18 when John Isner and Nicolas Mahut took to All England Club.
Mahut was a game away from victory when the pair entered the fourth set tiebreak, but after Isner won that, a 138 game fifth set ensued over three days.
When Isner finally won, the encounter was eleven hours and five minutes old, and if you watched the entire match it would get you through almost half a day of lockdown.
It is unknown when tennis will resume, but these matches should give you a tennis fix over your lockdown. Stay safe!