‘If there is any grand slam where he is going to go really far it is in Australia,’ Novak Djokovic says of Alex de Minaur

Ten-time Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic says Aussie Alex de Minaur has the talent and drive to win this year’s title.

Melbourne Park king Novak Djokovic has declared Aussie Alex de Minaur “absolutely” capable of winning this year’s Australian Open.

De Minaur will on Tuesday night start his quest to become the first male Aussie singles player to win his home grand slam event since 1976, under the lights of Rod Laver Arena.

Ten-time AO winner Djokovic said world No. 9 de Minaur had the talent and drive to end the men’s singles green-and-gold curse in Melbourne.

“He has the game, he has the skill to go far in a slam,’’ Djokovic said.

Alex de Minaur will play his first round Australian Open match on Tuesday night. Picture: Mark Stewart

“And if there is any grand slam where he is going to go really far it is in Australia, because he has the home support and his overall feeling.’’

Djokovic – the most successful men’s player in tennis history – said de Minaur’s game reminded him of Aussie great Lleyton Hewitt.

Former world No. 1 Hewitt cast a watchful eye over de Minaur in a practice session at Melbourne Park on Monday, along with fellow Aussie great Tony Roche and a legion of parochial fans.

Djokovic said the mentorship of Wimbledon and US Open winner Hewitt – the last man to play an Australian Open singles final – had helped de Minaur mount a compelling case for success.

Lleyton Hewitt watches on as Alex de Minaur trains on Monday. Picture: Mark Stewart

“He has Lleyton Hewitt in his corner always and Lleyton’s game reminds me of Alex’s game quite a lot.

“There is a lot of similarities and Lleyton is a great champion, former No. 1 of the world, and I’m sure that his experience is invaluable and so helpful for Alex.’’

Djokovic is gunning for his own slice of history in Melbourne as he hunts an unprecedented 11th AO crown.

While there is no shortage of talent trying to stop him collecting this year’s $3.5m winner’s cheque, the owner of a record 24 grand slam tournament titles said de Minaur was a genuine threat.

“I’ve been really impressed with his progress in the last year and a half or so,’’ he said.

“You can see that he has been working tirelessly on his game, trying to improve and he improved his serve quite a lot.

Djokovic says he has been really impressed with de Minaur’s progress. Picture: Getty

“I think maybe his serve wasn’t one of his weapons but now I think it is.

“And with his speed — he is probably the quickest guy on the tour.

“He can get any ball and he feels comfortable at the net, so he is quite an all-round player.

“He’s had I think the best season of his career last year so I’m sure that he is pumped more than ever to make a statement in Australia.’’

Eighth seed de Minaur will face Botic van de Zandschulp in the first night session match on centre court, ahead of fellow Aussie Olivia Gadecki’s round one clash against Russian Veronika Kudermetova.

No less than 12 Aussies were in action on day two of the Open on Monday, including wildcards Talia Gibson and Ajla Tomljanovic who became our first winners through to the second round.

Aussie James Duckworth also guaranteed a prize packet of at least $200,000 and a spot in the second round with a straight-sets win against Swiss qualifier Dominic Stricker.

Wildcard James McCabe joined the Aussie winner’s party, beating Spanish wildcard Martin Landaluce.

After a rain-soaked opening day on Sunday, crowds made the most of sunny weather on a manic Monday of matches at Melbourne Park.

Gibson, 20, from Perth, said the home crowd helped fuel her first grand slam win.

“Yeah, the Aussie crowds are always so amazing,’’ she said.

“You’re always able to get so much energy from them.’’