Novak Djokovic speaks to the media forward of the 2024 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 13, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images
A “pain-free” Novak Djokovic begins his Australian Open defence towards a teenage qualifier on Sunday as he bids for an unprecedented twenty fifth main crown, however ladies’s high seed Iga Swiatek faces a a lot trickier task.
The opening Grand Slam of the 12 months will get underneath means as a 15-day occasion for the primary time, geared toward reducing down on late-night finishes.
World primary Djokovic is an awesome favorite, with a sore wrist that solid a shadow over his build-up not troubling him.
He ought to have few issues progressing from his night conflict on Rod Laver Arena towards 18-year-old Croat Dino Prizmic, who’s making his predominant draw Slam debut.
“It’s exciting to be a part of another Slam,” mentioned the 36-year-old Djokovic, who has not misplaced on the Australian Open since 2018.
“I’m just hoping I can start the season in a way that I have been starting my seasons, most of my seasons, throughout my career, with a win here in Australia, in Melbourne. My favourite place, no doubt.”
The Serbian’s first actual check may come within the third spherical, with a possible blockbuster showdown towards fellow veteran Andy Murray.
Scotland’s Murray, a five-time Australian Open finalist, begins towards Argentine thirtieth seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
Djokovic surged to the title final 12 months with a three-set victory over this 12 months’s seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who faces a tricky first-round check from former high 10 Italian Matteo Berrettini.
If the Serb wins once more, he’ll cross Australian Margaret Court’s all-time Slam report and be part of Court (Australian Open) and Rafael Nadal (French Open) as the one gamers ever to win 11 occasions at a single main.
Adding to the intrigue, the primary rating is at stake, with Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev all in rivalry.
Alcaraz, who beat Djokovic within the Wimbledon last final 12 months, is a distinct participant from the one who final graced the Australian arduous courts as an 18-year-old ranked exterior the highest 30.
After lacking final 12 months’s occasion with a hamstring damage, he’s now a two-time main champion and world quantity two.
“I am looking at reaching the final and hopefully playing a final against him (Djokovic),” mentioned the 20-year-old Spaniard, who will meet French veteran Richard Gasquet first.
Russia’s Medvedev, a Melbourne finalist in 2021 and 2022, kicks off towards qualifier Terence Atmane, vowing to show over a brand new leaf and tone down the on-court tantrums.
“I want to change, I want to mature,” he mentioned.
Not straightforward
Former champions Naomi Osaka and Caroline Wozniacki make their return to Grand Slam tennis after having infants, amongst a clutch of moms within the ladies’s draw.
But world primary and high seed Swiatek is evident favorite, having been a dominant pressure since Ashleigh Barty’s shock retirement after profitable the 2022 match.
The Pole is on a 16-match win streak, gunning for a fifth Grand Slam title and first in Australia.
She opens with a rematch of the 2020 Roland Garros last towards Sofia Kenin that earned her a primary main title.
“I know she’s been playing some solid tennis. It’s not going to be easy. I’ll just get prepared the same way as usual,” mentioned Swiatek of the American, now ranked 38.
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, who final 12 months turned the primary lady since Serena Williams in 2016 to succeed in not less than the semi-finals of all 4 Grand Slams, will likely be an enormous risk.
She is gunning for a second title after beating Elena Rybakina within the 2023 last and faces German qualifier Ella Seidel in a night match on centre court docket Sunday.
“I did really a great pre-season. We worked a lot. I felt like we improved a lot,” she mentioned after warming up by making the Brisbane International last, the place she misplaced to Rybakina.
Third seed Rybakina faces a bumper showdown first towards former world primary Karolina Pliskova, whereas Osaka has a frightening job after being pitted towards French Sixteenth-seed Caroline Garcia.
Source: www.thehindu.com
