The 2024 Australian Open is incoming between January 14-28 with the ATP Draw now finalised led by 10-time champion, Novak Djokovic who is flanked by the chasing pack in Melbourne in the form of Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner who have mostly followed the Serbian's route of not playing pre Grand Slam so it is very much more wide open than ever.
Our preview looks ahead to all the main talking points and the first round matches to keep an eye on as the Aussie Summer of tennis reaches its crescendo with the next champion crowned Down Under.
Novak Djokovic’s draw for Australian Open 2024: Round 1: Qualifier Round 2: 🇦🇺Popyrin Round 3: 🇬🇧Murray/🇫🇷Monfils/🇦🇷Etcheverry Round 4: 🇺🇸Shelton/🇫🇷Mannarino/🇨🇭Wawrinka Quarterfinal: 🇬🇷Tsitsipas/🇺🇸Fritz Semifinal: 🇮🇹Sinner/🇷🇺Rublev Final: 🇪🇸Alcaraz/🇷🇺Medvedev/🇩🇪Zverev/🇩🇰Rune
Starting against a qualifier and likely on the opening night given the way the schedule works with the top half of the ATP and WTA Draw usually seeing Djokovic and Iga Swiatek on the WTA side start the tournament in the night session, the Serbian will know how he fares in his battle for number 11 very quickly.
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This after playing his first warm-up for a while ahead of a Grand Slam in the form of the United Cup where he attempted to anchor Team Serbia, but it wasn't a success with Djokovic leaving instead with his Aussie streak snapped and Alex De Minaur taking his scalp. Wrist injuries which have previously been an issue for Nole reared their head again with many going into a frenzy about him being a doubt for the Australian Open.
But many others remained calm and he was seen practicing on court and some purported a conspiracy that Djokovic is only injured when he is losing. The proof will be in the pudding with Djokovic like a lot of elite sportsmen being the type where he needs to be beat early or he gets tough to stop. A qualifier awaits first up with Alexei Popyrin second.
Andy Murray who will face Tomas Martin Etcheverry or Gael Monfils will be in the third round and a meeting with Ben Shelton could be on the cards in the fourth round. But either way, he would face fellow veteran high flyer, Adrian Mannarino or Stan Wawrinka if not. Stefanos Tsitsipas or Taylor Fritz are potential Quarter-Finals with Jannik Sinner and then either Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev or Holger Rune potential final opponents. A player who last year had a point to prove with his deportation, he will have injury doubts to dispel and a message to send to the chasing pack.
Remember when Rafael Nadal hit the ball girl and then apologised like this 😎🙌 #ausopen
Two of Djokovic's most familiar rivals won't be involved though with Nick Kyrgios after injury issues not returning home for a second consecutive year and instead he will do double duty with ESPN and Eurosport in a big name Aussie miss for the tournament who will also not have John Millman for instance who lost in qualifying.
Rafael Nadal is likely the bigger of the two though with many cooing about a potential dream run in Melbourne and it was on for a time after he won two matches in Brisbane. But the stark reality of his comeback was apparent when he got injured against Jordan Thompson.
He will be back sooner rather than later, but Aussie fans may not get the chance to see the Spanish king again in his career. Much to the behest of tournament director Craig Tiley no doubt.
But who is chasing Djokovic? Carlos Alcaraz will be the leading light in terms of seeding but hasn't played really since the ATP Finals aside from a few exhibitions and is taking the Djokovic route when it comes to preparation albeit for a reason. He will play South American clay followed by the Middle East tournaments and then Indian Wells and Miami so is stacking his schedule post Melbourne.
Daniil Medvedev on the other hand has taken the real meaning of the word off season and barring the World Tennis League hasn't played, the same can be said for Jannik Sinner albeit he curtailed his season late at the Davis Cup Finals. So every player is very much a mystery going into the new season with only those on the periphery and those who have played United Cup being in any sort of action.
The likes of Alexander Zverev spring to mind in winning the title and he looked impressive and back towards his best which has prompted Coco Vandeweghe to dub him a favourite for the title. But it is going on limited form from other players.
Among the top first round matches to watch at this year's Australian Open include Dominic Thiem facing Felix Auger-Aliassime, Stefanos Tsitsipas against Matteo Berrettini, Adrian Mannarino taking on Stan Wawrinka, Ben Shelton will face Roberto Bautista Agut and high flying Aussie, Alex de Minaur faces Milos Raonic.
What a draw awaits, a top fortnight of tennis in the bank and will Djokovic reign supreme again? Only time will tell.
#AusOpen R1: Thiem vs. Auger-Aliassime Tsitsipas vs. Berrettini Mannarino vs. Wawrinka Shelton vs. Bautista De Minaur vs. Raonic Tiafoe vs. Coric Dimitrov vs. Fucsovics Griekspoor vs. Safiullin One of the best GS draws in years in terms of R1 matches. Both Men and Women
