“We play to win. Do I really have to tell people that we play to win?” -John Wooden

No competitive athlete plays for second place. Its the true fight for the championship titles that define sport.

I woke up this morning to a text from my father, insisting that I watch the replay of the Australian Open Tennis Mens Final today. I asked what anybody would have asked, “who won?” My father told me to just watch, knowing the results would spoil it! But like all teenage daughters, I don’t always like listening to my father. So I looked up the score on my Score Moblie app before I even rolled out of bed.

Knowing that Djokovic defeated Nadal before I watched the match did dial down the drama for me. I know…I should have listened to my father. However, any sports fan or athlete would admire their efforts and the intensity that took place in last night’s match.

I turned on the Tennis Channel replay of the match at 11 AM this morning. I knew that the match set a new record for the longest Grand Slam Final before I turned it on, but I didn’t think that they would show the whole 5 hours and 53 minutes- but they did. I wandered around the house all day with the match on in the background.

Watching the last two sets of this match was inspiring. The amount of effort and concentration that both Djokovic and Nadal demonstrated was phenomenal. Those last sets were so close. I complain about the 1000 yard freestyle being too long, but a tennis match just short of 6 hours makes me want to take back all my complaints.

During the awards ceremony, neither Djokovic or Nadal could stand up straight. Someone took the hint that these athletes were tired and grabbed the two athletes chairs and waters so that they could relax during the speeches.

Its obvious, last night Djokovic and Nadal both played to win.

Unknown Photographer -Nadal and Djokovic barely able to stand during 2012 Australian Open Mens Final Awards Ceremony