This year’s Australian Open signified a time of change for tennis.
For the first time in three years, Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal were not in a grand slam final. Former finalists Lleyton Hewitt and Marcos Baghdatis slugged it out till 4:45am local time - a record - in a classic third round match. The court even changed from rebound ace to plexi-cushion.
And the once unsightly umpire’s chair transformed into a noteworthy example of top design.