Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer lead the top seeds at the Australian Open
He is the red hot favourite to take out a seventh Australian Open title. But if you think Novak Djokovic’s next two weeks are going to be easy, guess again. In anticipation for a massive tournament, check out all the burning questions right here.
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The wildcards have been handed out, the qualifiers are finished and the draw is done.
We are ready to launch for this year’s Australian Open.
In anticipation for what will be an absolutely massive two weeks, Liam Twomey previews the men’s field, looking at all the big questions from Melbourne Park.
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Can anyone stop the raging favourite?
This time last year, there were all sorts of questions regarding Novak Djokovic following his shock third round exit to Hyeon Chung.
Was the champion done? Had the rest of the tour caught up to him? Would he ever win another slam?
Fast forward 12 months and Djokovic is once again at the top of the men’s tennis tree.
He pocketed the Wimbledon and US Open trophies last year and finished the season on a dominant 33-3 run.
However, it is Djokovic’s outstanding Melbourne Park form that should have his rivals concerned.
Since his first win in 2018, he has a staggering 58-5 record which includes six titles.
Just last week Roger Federer declared the Serbian superstar the raging favourite to take out this year’s title and when the GOAT speaks, we listen. It will be a brave tipster who looks beyond Djokovic this year.
Will the Spanish Bull be right to play?
A one-time Australian Open champion and a three-time finalist, Rafael Nadal will hit Melbourne Park as one of the most popular players in the draw.
But will his body let him down once again?
Nadal’s hardcourt record over the past 12 months is scary reading, with a range of injuries ruling him out of action both before and during tournaments.
Brisbane — Withdrew
Australian Open — Retired
Acapulco — Withdrew
Indian Wells — Withdrew
Miami — Withdrew
Toronto — Winner
Cincinnati — Withdrew
US Open — Retired
Beijing — Withdrew
Shanghai — Withdrew
Paris — Withdrew
This run of injury issues continued into 2019, with Nadal already being forced to withdraw from this year’s Brisbane International because of a strained left thigh.
While the world No. 2 is aiming to take to the court next week, these injury concerns make it hard to see him lifting the trophy.
Does the GOAT have one more run left?
He has six Australian Open titles in his trophy cabinet and will hit Melbourne Park with a staggering winning percentage of 87.9.
But in what will be his 20th trip down under, are some cracks starting to appear in Roger Federer’s armour?
While he started 2018 with a bang, beating Marin Cilic in a five set Australian Open final, the rest of Federer’s 2018 didn’t quite go to plan.
After leading his Wimbledon quarter final against Kevin Anderson two sets to love, the Swiss superstar was shockingly dumped from the tournament in a five set boilover.
At the US Open, he was knocked out by Australian fighter John Millman in arguably the biggest upset of the year.
However, there is at least one major reason for Federer fans to be ultra-confident.
In recent years, his best performances have come when he is fresh. He will benefit from the off-season more than just about anyone and a Federer with fresh legs is a sight no other player in the draw wants to see.
Is this young gun ready to shine?
Alexander Zverev has all the tools to be a Grand Slam champion.
At just 21 years of age, he is easily the standout of the next generation and has been ranked as high as three in the world.
The last time he took to the court, he enjoyed the biggest win of his career, taking out the World Tour Championship, securing wins against top end talent including Marin Cilic, John Isner, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
Incredibly, it was his 10th title and he has amassed over $15m in prize money all before his 22nd birthday.
However, there is one glaring issue with Zverev. His Grand Slam form has been ultra-disappointing.
Last year he was knocked out of three Grand Slams by unseeded players.
Whether it is the fitness or the mental strain of playing over five sets, Zverev isn’t elite in that department … yet.
A hamstring strain forced him out of an exhibition event in Adelaide this week which is concerning.
Can the next rung climb the mountain?
If there is going to be an upset winner at this year’s Australian Open, it will most likely come from this group.
Kei Nishikori, Marin Cilic, Grigor Dimitrov, Dominic Thiem, Kevin Anderson and Milos Raonic are permanent fixtures at the business end of majors and if the draw opens up, these are the guys who will be ready to strike.
The history of players performing well in Brisbane and then carrying that form to the Australian Open is rich, which is why Nishikori is a must-watch in Melbourne.
The 29-year-old dropped just one set on his way to the title and has hit the New Year in top gear.
However, he isn’t the only one you can make a case for.
Cilic pushed Federer to five sets in last year’s final, Dimitrov has been an Australian Open semi-finalist, Anderson is playing the best tennis of his career, Thiem clearly belongs in the world’s best and Raonic is on the comeback from injury but will need to get past Nick Kyrgios in the first round.
Who will be this year’s surprise packet?
It feels like every Australian Open throws up at least one giant killing run for an up and coming star.
Last year it was little known Korean Hyeon Chung who surprised and enthralled the Melbourne Park crowd with a push all the way to the semi-finals.
So who are this year’s leading candidates?
Canada’s Denis Shapovalov is only 19 and boasts wins over Rafael Nadal, Stan Wawrinka and Milos Raonic. That’s not bad for someone who is nowhere near his prime.
Shapovalov will hit the Open ranked 23 in the world and is likely to be knocking on the door of the top 10 by the end of the year.
Also in the mix will be Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has climbed to an impressive career high ranking of 15.
Tsitsipas is arguably the best of the young guns after beating Aussie rising star Alex de Minaur in the Next Generation final last year.
Keep a close eye on 22-year-old Karen Khachanov, who finished 2018 with a bang by winning the Paris Masters.
Clearly the biggest tournament win of his career, Khachanov defeated Novak Djokovic, Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev and John Isner on his way to lifting the title.
Which Aussie can go furthest?
If you’d said this time last year only one Aussie male would have a seeding at the Australian Open, you would have got long odds for anyone other than Nick Kyrgios.
However, after a tough 2018, Kyrgios got no protection from the draw and will take on Canadian Milos Raonic in the opening round. That is about as tough as it gets.
After a breakout 2018, Alex de Minaur has climbed to a career high ranking of 31. He is one of only two teenagers in the world’s top 100 and has two-time Grand Slam champion Lleyton Hewitt in his corner.
It’s only early days in his career but it is clear de Minaur is the ultimate fighter. While most of the signs for the young Aussie are positive, he is still searching for that first win over a top 10 opponent.
He will open his tournament against Pedro Sousa and could have a third round clash with Rafael Nadal.
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