Novak Djokovic speaks to the media forward of the 2024 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 13, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia.
| Photograph Credit score: Getty Pictures
A “pain-free” Novak Djokovic begins his Australian Open defence in opposition to a teenage qualifier on Sunday as he bids for an unprecedented twenty fifth main crown, however ladies’s prime seed Iga Swiatek faces a a lot trickier project.
The opening Grand Slam of the yr will get beneath manner as a 15-day occasion for the primary time, geared toward reducing down on late-night finishes.
World primary Djokovic is an amazing favorite, with a sore wrist that forged a shadow over his build-up not troubling him.
He ought to have few issues progressing from his night conflict on Rod Laver Area in opposition to 18-year-old Croat Dino Prizmic, who’s making his principal draw Slam debut.
“It is thrilling to be part of one other Slam,” stated the 36-year-old Djokovic, who has not misplaced on the Australian Open since 2018.
“I am simply hoping I can begin the season in a manner that I’ve been beginning my seasons, most of my seasons, all through my profession, with a win right here in Australia, in Melbourne. My favorite place, little doubt.”
The Serbian’s first actual check may come within the third spherical, with a possible blockbuster showdown in opposition to fellow veteran Andy Murray.
Scotland’s Murray, a five-time Australian Open finalist, begins in opposition to Argentine thirtieth seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
Djokovic surged to the title final yr with a three-set victory over this yr’s seventh seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who faces a troublesome first-round check from former prime 10 Italian Matteo Berrettini.
If the Serb wins once more, he’ll move Australian Margaret Court docket’s all-time Slam report and be part of Court docket (Australian Open) and Rafael Nadal (French Open) as the one gamers ever to win 11 occasions at a single main.
Including 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 yr, is a unique participant from the one who final graced the Australian laborious courts as an 18-year-old ranked outdoors the highest 30.
After lacking final yr’s occasion with a hamstring damage, he’s now a two-time main champion and world quantity two.
“I’m reaching the ultimate and hopefully enjoying a last in opposition to him (Djokovic),” stated 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 in opposition to qualifier Terence Atmane, vowing to show over a brand new leaf and tone down the on-court tantrums.
“I wish to change, I wish to mature,” he stated.
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.
However world primary and prime seed Swiatek is evident favorite, having been a dominant power 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 in opposition to Sofia Kenin that earned her a primary main title.
“I do know she’s been enjoying some strong tennis. It is not going to be straightforward. I am going to simply get ready the identical manner as common,” stated Swiatek of the American, now ranked 38.
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, who final yr turned the primary girl since Serena Williams in 2016 to succeed in a minimum of the semi-finals of all 4 Grand Slams, will likely be an enormous menace.
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 courtroom Sunday.
“I did actually an amazing pre-season. We labored rather a lot. I felt like we improved rather a lot,” she stated after warming up by making the Brisbane Worldwide last, the place she misplaced to Rybakina.
Third seed Rybakina faces a bumper showdown first in opposition to former world primary Karolina Pliskova, whereas Osaka has a frightening job after being pitted in opposition to French Sixteenth-seed Caroline Garcia.
