Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic targets No. 22 as holder Rafael Nadal appears to be like to beat shaky begin

Australian Open 2023: A yr after the deportation drama, Novak Djokovic has arrived in Melbourne because the agency favorite to win the crown. Defending champion Rafael Nadal has had a tough begin to the season, however depend the 22-time Grand Slam champion out at your personal peril.

Nadal mentioned Djokovic is the favorite to win males’s singles title (AP Photo)

By India Today Web Desk: Plenty has modified for the reason that final time Novak Djokovic was in Melbourne. In some of the dramatic flip of occasions, the previous World No.1 tennis participant was deported from Australia after a courtroom battle amid the Covid-19 pandemic in January 2022. Djokovic had his visa canceled as a result of his unvaccinated standing because the Serb was disadvantaged of an opportunity to defend his Australian Open crown final yr.

Djokovic nonetheless has no proof of vaccination however with the Australian authorities easing Covid-19 rules for guests, the 21-time Grand Slam champion has a chance to compete on the season’s first Grand Slam match, beginning Monday, January 16.

Djokovic heads into the Australian Open as one of many favorites, if not the agency favorite. Djokovic will look to win a record-extending tenth title at Melbourne Park and emulate Rafael Nadal as the one second participant to win a Grand Slam 10 occasions within the Open Era.

Djokovic may even tie Nadal with 22 Grand Slams, essentially the most in males’s singles if he goes on to elevate the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup on the second Sunday of the Slam.

If early indicators in 2023 are something to go by, Djokovic can obtain historical past in 2 weeks’ time in Melbourne. After successful the ATP Finals title in 2022, Djokovic started the yr on a excessive by successful the Adelaide International 1 title. He defeated the likes of Daniil Medvedev, Denis Shapovalov, and Sebastian Koda en route the highest step of the rostrum.

More importantly, Djokovic felt at house in Australia, a yr after the humiliating deportation drama. The crowd in Adelaide was behind him and there have been loud cheers at any time when he walked on to the courtroom.

“If I do hold the grudges and probably if I’m not able to move on, I wouldn’t be here. You know, and also, I have to say that the amount of positive experiences I had in Australia overwhelm the negative experience, maybe not of last year, so…you know, my impression of Australia, my, you know, vision of Australia has always been very positive and that has reflected on my performance and my results are a testament to how I feel here,” Djokovic mentioned forward of Australian Open.

The Serb, who has not misplaced an Australian Open match since his 4th spherical exit in 2018, will likely be hoping that the thigh damage which has been troubling him after Adelaide triumph would not hassle him in Melbourne.

Djokovic will play Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena within the first spherical on Tuesday.

NADAL HOPEFUL OF GOOD SHOW
Nadal faces powerful title defence take a look at (AP Photo)

On the opposite hand, Rafael Nadal, who made a surprising comeback from a foot damage to win the Australian Open crown in 2022 has not had one of the best build-up to the season’s first Grand Slam.

Nadal, who received the Australian Open and the French Open, has managed just one win since September’s US Open. He was crushed by Alex de MInaur and Cameron Norrie within the inaugural version of the United Cup in January.

However, it isn’t sensible to depend Nadal out of the reckoning because the World No. 2 can faucet into his endless reservoir of grit to placed on a surprising marketing campaign in Melbourne.

“I have been losing more than usual, so that’s part of the business,” Nadal, the highest seed mentioned.

He will open his marketing campaign with a tough take a look at towards Jack Draper, who reached the semi-final of Adelaide Intternaional 2.

“But I feel ready, honestly. The only thing that didn’t happen in my side is victories. That’s the real thing. But for the rest of the things that I am building to be ready for a tournament like this one, I feel quite ready.

“I might like to arrive right here with a few victories, sure. That did not occur, so want to just accept that, must dwell with it.”

DJOKOVIC IS FAVOURITE: NADAL

Nadal also played down the race for Grand Slam titles with Djokovic, saying it’s not the end of the world if the Serb wins No. 22 in Melbourne.

“If we discuss favourites, at the moment, on the Saturday earlier than the beginning of the match, there is no such thing as a doubt that he (Novak Djokovic) is the primary favorite.

“But tournaments aren’t won on Saturdays before the event has even started. You have to fight for two weeks and he showed he can do that very well.

“So, nicely, we’ll see what occurs and if he wins we’ll congratulate him. He will do one thing historic and that is it. My life will not change, to be sincere.”

World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz is out with an damage nevertheless it’s not going to be all simple for Djokovic and Nadal because the likes of Daniil Medvedev, final yr’s runner-up, Casper Ruud, Holger Rune, and Stefanos Tsitsipas will likely be eager on proving their mettle. Not to overlook Nick Kyrgios, who’s pumped up for the house Grand Slam after having had a breakthrough yr in 2022.

Published On:

Jan 16, 2023