The preparations for the 2023 season has already begun and in about three weeks, the Melbourne Park might be all set to stage the primary Grand Slam of the brand new calendar 12 months – the Australian Open. The cynosure of the occasion to this point has been the return of Novak Djokovic after the drama that had unfolded final January along with his deportation and visa ban over his Covid vaccination stance. The nine-time champion ultimately managed to get his ban overturned, leaving him with a possibility to finish La Decima in Australian Open come January 2023. And Todd Woodbridge, a former world No.1 in doubles, has backed the Serb because the overwhelming favorite regardless of the presence of defending champion Rafael Nadal and world no.1 Carlos Alcaraz.
Unvaccinated Djokovic was denied the chance to defend his Australian Open title in the beginning of this 12 months owing to then Covid restrictions within the nation. Whereas Djokovic stays unvaccinated from Covid-19, Australia have eased on their restrictions and overturned his three-year visa ban, implying his return 18th look in Melbourne Park.
“Excellent news is that he might be enjoying on the Adelaide Worldwide so he might be in Australia for a couple of weeks earlier than the Open begins. That may give him time to get all of the stress and stress of final 12 months out. There might be strain from the media however he has handled it very properly. He’s coming again to a rustic he loves enjoying in. He has gained the Open 9 occasions. He loves the floor, the ambiance. I feel he might be very pushed to win right here. As a result of he was not allowed to play right here final time, that might be added motivation. Rafa (Nadal) gained when Novak was not allowed to play. That too might be on his thoughts when he tries to succeed in the file of most variety of Grand Slams gained. I feel he comes into the Australian Open because the favorite. He has the standard to be the No.1 even now and maybe he would have been had he performed the complete season. That was his selection to not, however he has not misplaced the shape or high quality. He must be comfy right here,” stated Woodbridge throughout a digital interplay on Wednesday, organised by Sony Sports activities.
With Djokovic absent, Nadal, bouncing again from a career-threatening damage, lifted his second Australian Open title, beating Daniil Medvedev in an epic five-setter.
When requested by Hindustan Instances about Nadal’s probabilities, Woodbridge stated, “Rafa has all the time had this high quality in him to deflect consideration and simply deal with his personal sport. He simply tries to fly below the radar. I am fairly positive he would try this once more when he involves Australia. However for him, he hasn’t performed a number of tennis since Wimbledon. The US Open was tough for him, he did not play that properly and did not end the 12 months off very properly. He now has a son, which implies a giant change in his way of life. I bear in mind watching him at Laver Cup, when Roger retired, you may nearly see it in Rafa’s eyes that he will be the subsequent. But when comes into the Australian summer season totally match, then we all know what he’s able to. He is likely one of the hardest psychological gamers of the sport. However I nonetheless assume that it’s Novak who’s the more energizing out of the 2 as they appear in direction of this new season.”
2022 has additionally seen a number of youthful gamers making their presence felt on the ATP tour. Alcaraz has been probably the most dominant of all of them, having claimed his maiden Slam in US Open. He additionally grew to become the youngest world No.1 as properly. In the meantime, Casper Ruud, reached two Slam finals – shedding to Nadal in French Open and Alcaraz in New York. However Woodbridge has backed Italy’s Jannik Sinner as his second favorite within the Australian Open.
“Carlos has the perfect of the Huge Three’s type. He has the volleys of Federer, he has the tenacity of Nadal and the courtroom motion of Djokovic. You place that collectively and it’s an superior package deal. However I wish to see how he copes with being the No. 1 and having gained the final grand slam (US Open). He’s nonetheless maturing, as an athlete and a person. I’ve this sense that will probably be Sinner who has the skin likelihood of successful right here if Novak or Nadal doesn’t make it. I feel he’s prepared for the subsequent degree.”
[Sony Sports Network is the official broadcaster of Australian Open 2023 starting from 16th January 2023.]