Australian Open 2020: Moments in tennis history await

There has never been a lead-in to the Australian Open as chaotic and controversial as this year’s edition.

Defending champion Novak Djokovic will be chasing his eighth Australian Open. Picture: AFP

There has never been a lead-in to the Australian Open as chaotic and controversial as the week that has preceded the 2020 edition beginning in Melbourne on Monday.

Even by Australian Open standards, which in the past has included threats of players striking and match-fixing scandals, there was a sense of the absurd through qualifying. Should the smoke haze dissipate and the rain that is predicted for the opening four days clear, the potential is there for this tournament to be full of historical milestones.

But there are clear concerns about the welfare of players. Officials belatedly sought to reassure competitors of their safety but some remain angry and confused.

The controversy may yet flare again.

Day 1: Aussies in action

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Ash Barty steps on to Rod Laver Arena on Monday night as the first local to hold the world’s top ranking in the Australian Open since Lleyton Hewitt in 2003. The Queenslander arrived in Melbourne on Sunday in strong form after claiming her first title on home soil in Adelaide.

Her run to the title was built on the trademarks that have taken her to the top. Sustained excellence. Beautiful court craft. Clarity of thought. And a steely determination.

Seeking to break a drought for local winners dating back to Chris O’Neil’s triumph in 1978, the 23-year-old will need those strengths and more to triumph.

“My face is everywhere a little bit, isn’t it? I’m a bit sick of it, to be honest,” Barty joked on Sunday.

“There is no extra pressure. I don’t read the papers. I don’t kind of look into any more than I need to. I’m here with my team trying to do the best that we can. It’s amazing to have so much support and so much love from the Australian public. I’ve really felt that in an exceptional way over the last 12 months. It has been incredible.”

The odds are against her despite Barty’s deserved status as a leading contender, with the Brisbane resident the second favourite behind Serena Williams at $8.50.

At 38, Williams is seeking to level Margaret Court’s record of 24 grand slam singles titles. Regardless, she has already staked a claim to being the greatest player ever. It is why Barty was circumspect about her chances, a point highlighted by Martina Navratilova in a recent column for the WTA Tour website.

“People are going to be looking at the WTA rankings and saying it means that Barty should win the tournament,” Navratilova said.

“I’m not sure what Ash is feeling, but I think that is going to be a tricky proposition for her.”

The 50th anniversary celebrations of Court’s Australian Open success at White City in Sydney has created a tale with many potential flashpoints.

The West Australian pastor is in Melbourne and will attend the tournament as the modern day great attempts to level with her.

Victory in Auckland to start the season means Williams has claimed a WTA Tour title in four different decades. She remains the player to beat.

But in her Wimbledon and US Open finals appearances in 2018 and 2019, Angelique Kerber, Simona Halep, Naomi Osaka and Bianca Andreescu — who is absent in Melbourne — have thrashed her.

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Navratilova feels the seven-time Australian Open champion’s triumph in New Zealand has released a pressure valve and erased doubt.

The usual question mark hovers over the men’s draw.

Is this the Open that signals a breakthrough for an emerging generation of talent headed by Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev, Denis Shapovalov and Andrey Rublev?

Or does the trinity of greatness — Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic — prevail again and extend their dominance at the dawn of a new decade?

Djokovic said the younger players are closing the gap and that “it will happen one day”.

The 32-year-old won all six singles matches when leading Serbia to victory in the inaugural ATP Cup and is seeking to win an eighth Australian Open. “I think the rivalry I have with them has made me very strong and resilient and the player I am today,” he said of Nadal and Federer.

Nadal is considered his greatest threat. But against Djokovic the reigning French and US Open champion has an Achilles heel.

Djokovic has won his past eight matches against the Spanish star on hard court, the most recent coming in the ATP Cup decider in Sydney last week.

Federer is the enigma. At 38 he is the same age as Williams, but although he will not start favourite, the six-time winner in Melbourne must rate as a legitimate chance.

The query is his match hardness. The Swiss, who will begin his campaign against Steve Johnson, is yet to play this season. It remains to be seen whether this approach will prove a curse or a cure.