Uncertainty is always particularly great before the first Grand Slam tournament of the year. At the Australian Open, a few stars take center stage for very different reasons.
The first Grand Slam tournament of the year is always a very special one. How are the stars in shape for the season opener? who is hurt Who worked on what in the short preparation?
Add to that the good weather Down Under, and the “Happy Slam” is a perfect first highlight of the season. But who should we pay special attention to this year?
Alexander Zverev (Hamburg)
The dream of winning the first Grand Slam tournament is unbroken – but Zverev himself has little hope for the Australian Open. It was even “pretty stupid” to expect the title from him. His two defeats in the new United Cup in Australia showed that this is no understatement.
After his forced seven-month break due to the serious foot injury in the French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal, the Olympic champion lacks game rhythm and fitness. The draw went relatively well for him, with every further game the Hamburger should approach his best form. But it is very unlikely that he will reach her in Melbourne.
Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
The Australians welcomed the Serbian superstar with open arms, and the 21-time Grand Slam tournament winner was celebrated at the ATP tournament in Adelaide. No comparison to the mood a year ago, when Djokovic was expelled from the country after a sensational legal dispute and given an entry ban of three years.
The entry ban has now been lifted, Djokovic does not have to present proof of vaccination – and can concentrate completely on his sporting mission: win title number ten at the Australian Open and draw level with his great rival Rafael Nadal with the 22nd Grand Slam title. He will “do his best to play good tennis and bring good emotions and good feelings to the crowd,” said Djokovic.
So that he is not disturbed, tournament director Craig Tiley warned fans in advance not to hostile Djokovic in any way: “If they disturb someone else’s joy – boom, then they’re out.” At the show match against local hero Nick Kyrgios on Friday, Djokovic received a very friendly welcome.
Rafael Nadal (Spain)
Last year’s winner is top seeded due to the injury-related absence of his Spanish compatriot Carlos Alcaraz, but he’s not the top favourite. After retiring from the semi-finals at Wimbledon due to an abdominal muscle injury, the 22-time Grand Slam tournament winner has only won four of eleven games. “I have to keep fighting,” said the 36-year-old.
Physically he seems to be up again, but – just like with Zverev – the rhythm is missing. The draw didn’t play into his cards at all: the world number 40 is waiting right at the start. Jack Draper from Great Britain, even after that the road to a possible final remains rocky.
Nick Kyrgios (Australia)
The hopes of the home fans clearly rest on the highly talented but also extremely moody Kyrgios. Some experts had already counted him as the tournament winner at the US Open, and he played well there until his quarter-finals. With the audience behind you, even more could be done. The organizers also hope that the “Bad Boy” will stay for a long time, because Kyrgios entertains the audience.
This is one of the reasons why the creators of the Netflix documentary “Break Point” chose him as the main protagonist of the opening episode – which Kyrgios acknowledged with great satisfaction. After all the “how bad I am for sport, disrespect for the game and being the absolute bad guy” talk, I’m going to be the #1 episode on Netflix – to grow our fan base, actually even to try tennis again to put on the map”.
Iga Swiatek (Poland)
The Pole starts the new year as the absolute number one in women’s tennis. After the resignation of Serena Williams, even more spotlight shines on the rather reserved Swiatek, who shows her best tennis on the court, especially in “crunch time”. The quality of a champion.
The French player Carolina Garcia sees the three-time Grand Slam tournament winner as a clear top favorite in Melbourne, too, Swiatek has “set the bar very high”. But recently she was plagued by shoulder problems, which is why she had to cancel the dress rehearsal in Adelaide. Should Swiatek not start in top form, the chances of her opening opponent Jule Niemeier from Dortmund would increase.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
