Novak Djokovic is assured he can nonetheless win Grand Slams, beginning on the Australian Open, with the Serbian kickstarting his bid for an unprecedented eleventh title and file twenty fifth main crown in Brisbane this week.
Prime-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, who’s gunning for a 3rd Melbourne Park trophy, joins him on the Queensland Tennis Centre from December 29-January 5 in a stellar girls’s area.
The 2025 season will get below means on Friday with the mixed-teams United Cup in Perth and Sydney, headlined by world quantity two Iga Swiatek in her first event since revelations that she served a one-month doping suspension.
It’s the first season since 37-year-old Djokovic started enjoying that not one of the different so-called “Large 4” can be on the opposite aspect of the web following the retirements this 12 months of Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray.
Roger Federer known as it quits in 2022.
As they light, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz stepped as much as turn out to be the brand new Grand Slam kings, with each males opting in opposition to a warm-up event main into the primary main of the 12 months which begins on January 12.
As doubts grew over Djokovic’s motivation and skill to take down the brand new guard after a disappointing 2024, he surprised the tennis world by hiring Murray to teach him.
– Kyrgios returns –
The British three-time main winner is about to overlook Brisbane however hook up together with his previous rival on the Australian Open.
“I nonetheless will attempt to go robust as a result of I really feel like my physique is serving me nicely. I nonetheless have motivation to win Grand Slams, make extra historical past,” mentioned Djokovic, who wants yet another Slam crown to surpass Margaret Court docket’s 24.
“That is one of many greatest the explanation why I requested Andy to work with me, as a result of I nonetheless have massive plans, so so long as that is the case, I’ll hold going.”
By his requirements, 2024 wasn’t variety, failing to win a Slam, claiming only one title — Olympic gold in Paris — and ending his season in October.
A resurgent Grigor Dimitrov, Holger Rune, and Frances Tiafoe are additionally enjoying in Brisbane, as is Australian Nick Kyrgios, who returns after accidents restricted him to only one ATP Tour singles match in two years.
He and Djokovic are set to play doubles collectively.
Difficult Sabalenka on Pat Rafter Enviornment can be America’s prime skills Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro, ranked seven and eight respectively, together with former world quantity two Ons Jabeur and veteran Victoria Azarenka.
Sabalenka, who beat China’s high-flying Zheng Qinwen within the Melbourne last this 12 months, had a sensational 2024 which culminated in being named WTA Participant of Yr this month.
The 26-year-old reached seven finals and gained 4 titles, efficiently defending the Australian Open, lifting her first US Open and successful WTA 1000 occasions in Cincinnati and Wuhan.
She additionally recaptured the primary rating from five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek, whose fame was rocked in November when it was revealed she examined constructive for a banned coronary heart treatment in August.
The Worldwide Tennis Integrity Company accepted that the violation was not intentional, and the Polish star escaped with a one-month sanction.
– Sinner awaits verdict –
Swiatek known as it “the worst expertise of my life”, however vowed: “I do know I can be stronger than ever.”
Her case is much like that of Australian Open winner Sinner, who remains to be ready for the result of a World Anti-Doping Company enchantment in opposition to his preliminary exoneration for twice testing constructive for traces of the steroid clostebol in March.
The company informed AFP a ruling was not anticipated earlier than the brand new 12 months, nevertheless it may conceivably be handed down earlier than or through the Australian Open.
Becoming a member of Swiatek on the United Cup is world quantity two Coco Gauff and fourth-ranked Jasmine Paolini.
Two-time Australian Open winner Naomi Osaka begins her season on the Auckland Traditional, hoping for a greater 12 months than 2024 when she did not win a title.
Former US Open champions Emma Raducanu, a spot above Osaka within the rankings at 57, and Bianca Andreescu are additionally starters in New Zealand.
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Revealed – December 26, 2024 04:05 am IST
