Aiming for a remarkable 25th Grand Slam victory, Novak Djokovic is once again the clear favorite at the Australian Open.
Once again, Novak Djokovic is the overwhelming favorite at the Australian Open as he attempts to win an unprecedented 25 Grand Slam titles; yet, a wrist injury and Carlos Alcaraz’s rise could end his unstoppable run. After defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Melbourne Open final the previous year to win a record-tying tenth Melbourne crown, the 36-year-old Serbian player went on to win the US Open and French Open in 2023. However, Alcaraz, who is a different player than the one who last graced the Australian hard courts as an 18-year-old ranked outside the top 30, defeated him in a thrilling Wimbledon final.
The 20-year-old is the tennis world’s brightest new star, having won two major titles, is ranked second overall (behind Novakovic) and missed the event last year due to a hamstring injury.
A fresh setback to Djokovic’s dreams of making a comeback to the top of the game came on Sunday when his longtime adversary Rafael Nadal withdrew from the Australian Open due to a muscle rupture.
Alcaraz, another Spaniard who plays with Rafael Nadal, leaves his 2024 form a surprise as he chose to forego a warm-up tournament for the first Grand Slam of the year.
Unfortunately, Djokovic lost to Australian Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-4 after dropping a set against Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic at the United Cup.
It ended Australia’s 43-game winning streak, and Djokovic will start his defence with a scar from an injury sustained during both games, requiring treatment on his right wrist.
After falling to De Minaur, he commented, “I think I have enough time to get myself in the right shape for the Australian Open and that’s what matters the most at this point.”
All of it is a component of the Australian Open preparation. My goal is to give my best performance there.”
Djokovic’s United Cup problems come after he lost to Jannik Sinner in the Davis Cup, ending his 2023 campaign. Sinner is a youthful pretender who is determined to overthrow Djokovic, the rising Italian world number four. The order will be tall.
With a 20-0 record in the semi-finals and finals at Melbourne Park, Djokovic has not lost at the Australian Open since 2018.
“When I’m fit, when I’m at the peak of my performance, I can win any Slam or any tournament, I know that, I’m not afraid to say that,” Djokovic stated.
“It’s not a secret that I want to break more records and make more history in the game.”
Nadal’s Farewell
With more Grand Slam victories than Rafael Nadal (22), Djokovic is the most successful player in men’s tennis history.
He will surpass Australian Margaret Court, who won 24 majors in the women’s game, if he triumphs in Melbourne once again.
Nadal has returned to Spain for treatment, so at least he doesn’t have to worry about him anymore.
The 37-year-old hasn’t played tennis since he injured his hip at the 2023 Australian Open; he didn’t return until last week at the Brisbane International.
Given that Nadal stated in Brisbane that there was a “high percentage” that 2024 would be his final year on the tour, his absence could mean the end of his career in Australia.
Medvedev threat
Daniil Medvedev of Russia, a 2021 and 2022 Melbourne finalist, will also be a competitor.
Similar to Alcaraz, he declined to participate in a warm-up tournament but had a fantastic 2023, winning 66 matches—more than any other player on the circuit—to take home five titles.
The 27-year-old claimed his sole Slam title in 2021 after winning the US Open, claiming he was more driven than ever.
“At this stage of my life, at least right now — and I hope this can last for a long time — I have just the biggest motivation ever to just continue finding my limits,” he stated.
Tsitsipas, the losing finalist from the previous year, will also be optimistic about his chances, and Andrey Rublev, ranked fifth in the world, will begin his campaign after winning the Hong Kong Open.
To help spread out the early round action and avoid potential late-night finishes, the Australian Open will now take place across 15 days, beginning on Sunday.
