Novak Djokovic resumes his Grand Slam title race with Rafa Nadal subsequent week on the Australian Open, returning to what was his happiest looking floor earlier than the ugly controversy which led to his absence final yr.
Having arrived in Australia unvaccinated 12 months in the past, the nine-times Melbourne champion was deported amid a backlash from indignant Australians who had endured among the world’s hardest lockdowns as COVID-19 infections surged.
Nadal pounced on the chance, vanquishing Daniil Medvedev in an epic ultimate to seize his second title at Melbourne Park, and extra importantly his twenty first at Grand Slams, earlier than including another main trophy to his tally on the French Open.
While Roland Garros has been Nadal’s area for almost 20 years, Melbourne Park is sort of as a lot for Djokovic, with the world quantity 5 capturing 9 titles and holding an 82-6 report since 2007.
Djokovic has additionally confirmed to be unbeatable in Australian Open semi-finals and finals with 9-0 information in each, making him the automated favorite anytime he enjoys a deep run.
Back in Australia after his three-year visa ban was waived, Djokovic has slowly gained over followers and he soaked up the adulation en path to the Adelaide title — his eleventh trophy within the nation — however a extra hostile reception may await in Melbourne.
If the seedings maintain, Djokovic wouldn’t lock horns with Nadal till the ultimate however he may tackle Nick Kyrgios in a blockbuster rematch of final yr’s Wimbledon ultimate, when the Serb gained his twenty first main.
EARLY TEST OF FITNESS
Nadal’s hopes of staying forward of Djokovic will hinge on his restoration from an injury-plagued finish to final yr and a sluggish begin to this season.
The high seed faces an early take a look at of his health in opposition to British younger gun Jack Draper with possible clashes in opposition to Frances Tiafoe and Medvedev mendacity forward.
Second seed Casper Ruud made essentially the most of Djokovic’s enforced absence on the U.S. Open by reaching his second Grand Slam ultimate of 2022 and the Norwegian will proceed to knock on the door in quest of his maiden main.
But the 24-year-old may run into fellow contenders Matteo Berrettini, Taylor Fritz, Alexander Zverev in addition to Britain’s former world primary Andy Murray who returns to the scene of his 5 Grand Slam runner-up finishes.
The harm withdrawal of world primary and U.S. Open champion Carlos Alcaraz robbed the yr’s first Grand Slam of a real title contender.
There is depth on the high of males’s tennis and the likes of Medvedev, third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas and sixth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime may all step as much as loosen the previous guard’s Grand Slam grip.
