5 high contenders for the boys’s title on the Australian Open, which begins on Monday:
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
The previous world primary is trying to match Rafa Nadal’s document of twenty-two Grand Slam titles and returns to Australia hoping to make headlines on the courtroom following his deportation final 12 months over his COVID vaccine stance.
Djokovic overcame a hamstring concern and saved a championship level in Adelaide to win the ultimate and keep his unbeaten streak in Australia, which now stands at 33 matches since his final loss within the fourth spherical of the 2018 Australian Open.
The 35-year-old is searching for a record-extending tenth title in Melbourne.
RAFA NADAL
Nadal is trying to defend his hard-earned 2022 crown and is the de facto primary in Melbourne following the harm withdrawal of fellow Spaniard and U.S. Open champion Carlos Alcaraz.
The 36-year-old didn’t have the very best of begins to the season, nevertheless, dropping each his matches within the inaugural United Cup.
However Nadal put that all the way down to rust having skipped tournaments in an injury-ravaged 2022 season the place he gained 4 titles, together with two majors.
DANIIL MEDVEDEV
The previous world primary will likely be hoping to make it third-time fortunate in Melbourne after dropping the 2021 and 2022 finals to Djokovic and Nadal, respectively.
Medvedev has slipped to eighth within the rankings however the Russian counter-puncher and hardcourt specialist has vowed to discover a option to rediscover his 2021 kind when he gained his first main on the U.S. Open.
NICK KYRGIOS
The mercurial Australian has not performed on tour since October and didn’t play in tune-up occasions as a consequence of a niggling harm, however such is his expertise that he may stroll into the principle draw with out match follow and nonetheless swat opponents apart.
Kyrgios gained the doubles title in Melbourne and adopted it up with a run to the Wimbledon ultimate the place he misplaced to Djokovic, who has agreed to play the 27-year-old in a follow match on Rod Laver Area earlier than the Grand Slam kicks off.
CASPER RUUD
Final 12 months marked a turning level for Ruud who made deep runs in tournaments and reached finals of Grand Slams, Masters and the season-ending ATP Finals — solely to complete on the dropping facet each time.
Ruud even had the chance to clinch the world primary spot earlier than Alcaraz triumphed within the U.S. Open ultimate.
A claycourt specialst, Ruud has tailored nicely to hardcourts and discovered to handle five-set matches. He has his eye on one other deep run in Melbourne having moved as much as third within the rankings.