The first Grand Slam of 2023 – the Australian Open – is upon us and we are all set for a fascinating couple of weeks Down Under. The tournament starts at Melbourne Park on Monday, January 16 and will finish on Sunday, January 29.
In winning the title last year Rafael Nadal broke the record for all-time men's major singles titles as he claimed his second Aussie Open and 21st major. It was a fascinating final as Nadal – Spain's Raging Bull – came back from two sets down against Daniil Medvedev. In terms of the season as a whole Medvedev never really recovered from losing that epic against Rafa.
Nadal is here to defend his crown, but it is unfortunate Carlos Alcaraz will miss the tournament because of a leg injury. It is a brutal blow for the young Spaniard, who would have had a real shout in Melbourne if he was fit. He has been unlucky with injury since winning the US Open and reaching No.1, but Alcaraz is young enough and good enough to come again.
The main draw takes place on Thursday, January 12 but there is no doubt the big story this year is the return of Novak Djokovic. Novak was cast as tennis' top villain a year ago after being deported from Australia due to his stance on vaccines.
He was originally banned from returning for three years but Australia has since lifted its requirement for visitors to show proof of vaccination status, and it could be a huge fortnight for him. Djokovic has won 21 Grand Slam men's singles titles, including a record nine Australian Open crowns. If he were to take down another Oz Open this month, he would go level with his great rival Nadal on 22 Slam wins apiece.
Nadal is also involved, but the evergreen 36-year-old lost a pair of three-setters to unremarkable opposition at the recent United Cup as Spain were eliminated from the mixed-gender event in the group stage. To be fair it's not great prep for Rafa - who 12 months ago started his season by winning 20 straight matches – but he is a legend of the sport and is so mentally tough and physically tenacious there will be plenty backing him to win another Melbourne title at double-figure odds.
In terms of the Next Gen stars, you would expect Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Felix Auger-Aliassime to go well.
Auger-Aliassime is now an established star at the age of 22 and is expected to push on this season. All four of his ATP titles have come indoors, however, so while he has the game to push anyone it would be a surprise to see him prevail.
Tsitsipas enjoys it in Melbourne having reached the semi-finals three times previously, while Ruud is expected to have another big year. The gifted Norwegian reached two Grand Slam finals last year as he finished runner-up to Nadal at the French Open and then lost the title match against Alcaraz at the US Open.
In terms of a men's winner, it is impossible to look beyond Djokovic. With Alcaraz missing he is a shade off odds on and warmed up for his Australian Open return in ominous fashion by saving a championship point en route to clinching the Adelaide International title at the weekend.
The Serbian looked in danger of slipping to a surprise defeat to American Sebastian Korda, but like he has done so many times in his hall-of-fame career, he eventually snatched victory from the jaws of defeat by triumphing 6-7 7-6 6-4 in a gruelling three hour, nine-minute, war of attrition.
That victory extended his winning streak in Australia to 34 matches – a run dating back to 2019 – and it would take a brave punter to take him on in Melbourne.
We may have lost an all-time great Roger Federer last season, but the longevity of the old guard is quite remarkable. Indeed, you have to go back to 2014 for the last time a player other than Djokovic, Federer or Nadal won at Melbourne Park. I
In terms of a live outsider, Casper Ruud looks too big at 25/1. He has won nine ATP Tour singles titles, and while eight of those were collected on clay courts, he showed at the 2022 US Open he can play on faster tracks. He missed last year's Oz Open after picking up an ankle injury in practice, but he has an underrated serve and with a decent draw can make a mockery of the current odds.
