KEY POINTS:
I have so enjoyed the tennis from the Aussie Open over the past two weeks - what a fabulous array of players.
Once my boy Marat Safin was out of the tournament, I transferred my allegiance to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and was well rewarded for my loyalty.
As for the women - what a dream final for tennis aficionados, sponsors and pervs alike. Maria Sharapova and Ana Ivanovic aren't just articulate, charming and beautiful young women - they can actually play tennis and with far more finesse than some of the sloggers we've seen in recent years.
It's been great - and I can't help but contrast the tennis players' behaviour with the behaviour of the Australian and Indian cricketers. There are much higher stakes on centre court than there are at the oval, and yet you don't get the same abusive language or racial epithets that have brought cricketers from both countries into such disrepute.
Admittedly, Maria's dodgy dad Yuri didn't cover himself with glory when he performed a throat-slitting gesture after his little girl downed Justine Henin, but hey, you can't visit the sins of the father on the child. Maria wasn't at fault.
Maybe the difference occurs because the tennis players are individuals - there isn't the pack mentality you get with team sport - and maybe it's because they're personally accountable for any bad behaviour.
The nasty old men of cricket need to sit courtside for a few days - they'll get a lesson in sportsmanship and manners.