From stirrup to compass, via the sleeper train, we have forgotten that the great conquests (of Rome, the New World or leisure) were made possible by technical innovations. The new complications (for health reasons) of flying are reminiscent of what modern tennis and its records owe to the development of long-haul flights and the comfort of business classes.
The restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic complicate the very long journey to Melbourne and hark back to the days when players thought twice before playing the Australian Open. Björn Borg played there only once, Jimmy Connors two, Ivan Lendl late and John McEnroe only at the end of his career. Roger Federer has been in all editions since 2000. He gave up for the first time, because he had insufficiently recovered from his double knee operation to make it worthwhile to leave his wife and children for five weeks. to go and lock himself in a hotel room.
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