Australian Open 2012: Why Tennis Can Only Go Downhill from Here

First, fans were lucky enough to be given the present of a Rafael Nadal versus Roger Federer semifinal that did not disappoint, as it went four exciting sets.

Then, in what was supposed to be the "dull" semifinal, fourth seed Andy Murray took defending champion Novak Djokovic to the wire, before eventually falling 7-5 in the fifth and final set.

Even though the final was set to feature one of the biggest rivalries in sports today, no way could it possibly top the amazing semifinals matches. No way could the final provide the same type of drama, could it?

Yes.  It could.

"Djoker" and "Batman" (that really needs to be Nadal's nickname at this point. Federer can be "Penguin") put forth quite possibly the best Australian Open performance ever. The match lasted well over five hours as the two played five brilliant sets.

It even had a a Hulk-style shirt-rip by Djokovic to top it all off. Honestly, when the champion turns into the Hulk, it doesn't get better than that.

It was the perfect ending for an epic tournament, a tournament that even the most common fans—or even non-tennis fans, for that matter—could have enjoyed. 

Tennis is sure to have gained a lot of new fans after this tournament, and the next major--the French Open-- will have a lot of momentum.

But that in itself might just be a curse for the sport.

Tennis is at a great place after what just transpired in Melbourne, Australia. But if Rafael Nadal rolls through everyone on the clay courts at the French Open--as expected--the momentum the sport gained may fizzle out.

Common fans are going to expect a lot, and while "NaFedOvic" is clearly as close as can be, the odds of the matches being this close and exciting are small. 

The sport is on the way up, but there is no way every tournament can provide results like this.