A legend believes Australia’s drought will end. Djokovic’s mission will test that

Australian tennis legend Pat Rafter believes the nation’s long wait for a grand slam champion is almost over, with four men vying to end a title drought spanning more than two decades.

And proof of the current crop’s credentials would be on show at the Brisbane International, as three of Rafter’s compatriots plot to take down Novak Djokovic.

Alex de Minaur, Jordan Thompson and Alexei Popyrin have surged into the men’s world top 30, while 2022 Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios will make his anticipated injury comeback this month with a protected ranking of No.21.

Novak Djokovic will return to the Brisbane International for the first time since 2009.Credit: Eddie Jim

Rafter guessed the last time three of his countrymen featured so high would have been in his days alongside Lleyton Hewitt and Mark Philippoussis in the late 1990s and early 2000s, while this year marked the first time since 1982 Australia had 10 players in the top 100.

Only de Minaur will not feature on the Brisbane card of the headline quartet, where Djokovic will seek to win his 100th career title.

While Ash Barty and Sam Stosur combined for four grand slam wins in the women’s draw since twice-US Open winner Rafter lifted his most prized silverware, only Hewitt has emulated his feats in men’s singles – Hewitt’s 2002 Wimbledon victory following his 2001 US Open heroics.

Alexei Popyrin defeated Novak Djokovic earlier this year, and will hope to do so again in Brisbane.Credit: AP

But following the retirements of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray, Rafter declared the Australian frontrunners would challenge tour leaders Djokovic, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz as early as January when they converged for the Australian Open.

All they needed was a little luck.

“The men are very strong, they’re very deep, and there’s a lot of opportunity for these guys to go deep into the second week [of grand slams],” Rafter said.

“That’s where you want them, and then anything can happen. They’re knocking on the door, and the great thing about the depth is they push each other.

“It’s in a very healthy state right now. It’s not from lack of effort, they’re putting themselves in the best position they can.

“They’ve come up against some great players – you look at guys like Alcaraz and Sinner, and you look at our boys. They’re very, very close. What does it take? In my experience, a bit of luck helps.

“You never know, the draw could open up and you have to be there to take advantage of it.”

The Australian trio will contend with elite stars in Grigor Dimitrov, Frances Tiafoe, Gael Monfils and Holger Rune at the Brisbane International, a field which was strengthened again on Wednesday.

Former world No.1 Djokovic will play in the competition for the first time since 2009.

Only Lleyton Hewitt has won a grand slam among Australian men since Pat Rafter (pictured).Credit: AP

His record at the Australian Open – a tournament he has won 10 times – will have him at short odds to break his tie with Margaret Court with 24 grand slam titles. However, he will begin in Brisbane short on court time after withdrawing from ATP Finals with an unspecified injury.

“Novak’s had a bit of an interrupted second half of the year ... he’s just looking at what’s his best pathway to start the season and then into Melbourne,” Brisbane International tournament director Cam Pearson said.

“Roger [Federer] won his 1000th ATP tour singles match on this court … what a fairytale it would be if Novak won his 100th title on the same court.”