Gas still in Rose’s tank, but what about Novak Djokovic?

A drop shot by Carlos Alcaraz. Great tennis. No dropped shots by Justin Rose. Wonderful golf.

A Sunday without pro football. Be patient. The Super Bowl, close by in Santa Clara, is only days away. But still a Sunday with sporting competition, that stretched from the Land Down Under to the California coast and lasted from the wee small hours to the late afternoon.

The Australian Open tennis tournament did not lack for competition, Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 in the men’s final.

Not long after, but very far away, the last round of the Farmers Open Golf Tournament lacked competition, because Justin Rose played so brilliantly, shooting a record 23-under par-265 for 72 holes at Torrey Pines in San Diego.

You’ve heard the line that age is only a number. That may be true in golf. Rose is 45. But the years take their toll in tennis. Djokovic, 38, couldn’t keep up with Alcaraz, who at 22 became the youngest man ever to win all four legs of the Grand Slam. Djokovic, of course, had twenty-four victories in the Slams, but couldn’t get past Father Time—or really, Alcaraz, in this one. 

Unquestionably, a person can last longer in golf, a sport not as demanding physically as tennis.  Still, what Rose showed us in the Farmers Tournament defied the usual idea even for golf.

He began Thursday with a 62 and not only never stumbled but became more aggressive and impressive as the rounds continued, finishing 7 shots ahead of three players tied for second—Pierceson Coody (grandson of former Masters champ Charles Coody), SW Kim, and Ryo Hitsasune. 

“I was keenly aware of the record,” said Rose. “I was trying to get into the clubhouse at twenty-three or better.” 

Which he did. 

Djovich was trying to get his elusive fifth major and felt good after the first set. Then it became Alcaraz’s match.

 “The first set was one of the best sets I’ve played in the last few years,” said Djokovic.”I was disappointed I couldn’t maintain the same level as I did in the first set. My energy level went way down.” 

Asked indirectly whether this would be his last appearance in a Slam, Djokovic replied, “God only knows.”

What everybody knows is that Alcaraz, the Spaniard now 1st in the rankings, is on his way to more success.

Switching from the courts to the course, Rose, the Englishman, has been considerably successful. He has 13 wins, including a U.S. Open. He has also finished second in the Masters three times, including last year. This is the second time he has won at Torrey Pines, showing his affinity for coastal layouts. He also has a win at Pebble Beach.

The big story at the beginning of the week was the return of Brooks Koepka after four years away on the LIV tour. Koepka, winner of five major championships, said he was welcomed by his old mates, and although nervous, he did make the cut.  

Rose was asked whether he thought he could still play well at his age. He answered, “The gas is still in the tank.”