MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer begin their quest for five Australian Open titles, while Serena Williams is chasing her 19th Grand Slam crown in the year’s first major.
World number one Djokovic looms as the player to beat in the men’s draw, having won four of the last seven editions.
“There are so many players who are contenders to win the title,” said the Serb. “Considering the success that I have had in my career in this tournament, I have enough reason to believe I can go far.” While Djokovic has never lost a final in Melbourne, Federer will again be the sentimental favourite at 33, pursuing his 18th major title.
“I would hope that I’ve improved over the years. I’m serving stronger and consistently than I ever have,” said Federer.
However, there are question marks over Rafael Nadal’s match fitness after playing few matches since Wimbledon last July following a wrist injury and later an appendectomy.
Nadal suffered a shock defeat in his first match of the season to German Michael Berrer.
“It’s true that having a grand slam this early in the season after the injuries I’ve had is not the ideal thing. But here we are,” he said. Nadal has won 14 grand slams, but only won one of them in Australia where he also had two runner-up finishes, including in last year’s final to Stan Wawrinka.
Britain’s Andy Murray has lost three finals in Melbourne and will have to get past Federer and Nadal to make his way into his fourth. Meanwhile, defending champion Wawrinka is a last start winner, having captured back-to-back Chennai Opens on the way to Australia.
“I feel great coming here. Been getting a lot of confidence, winning the first tournament of the year,” said the Swiss. “I know I can do it, that’s not the question.”
Number one spot up for grabs
World number one Serena is tied with Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova with 18 grand slams behind all-time leader Margaret Court (24).
Adding spice to the women’s side of the draw is that the top four seeds – Serena, Maria Sharapova, Simona Halep and Petra Kvitova – all have a chance to end the tournament as world number one.
Injured Del Potro pulls out
Grand Slam winner Juan Martin del Potro yesterday pulled out of the Australian Open after a recurrence of his troublesome wrist injury.
The giant Argentine spent almost a year on the sidelines before making his return at the Sydney International last week.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 19th, 2015.
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