"Like betting against Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros": Novak Djokovic seen as out and out favourite for Australian Open by Jim Courier and Nick Kyrgios

Former world number one Jim Courier and the 2022 Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios named Serbia’s Novak Djokovic as an outright favourite to lift the Australian Open in 2024.

The first Grand Slam of the next year will begin on January 14 in Melbourne where all the top players in the world will participate to win the ultimate prize. In a video that appeared on the social media platform X, Courier and Kyrgios named Djokovic as an outright favourite to lift the title.

"Betting against Novak in Australia has almost become like betting against Rafa at Roland Garros. Rafa fourteen times on the dirt, in Australia, it's ten times for Novak and he didn't show us anything today or this week that's going to dissuade I think any of us from thinking that," said Jim Courier.

"Yeah, boring prediction from me. I think Novak, as well. He's so comfortable in Australia and after last year, he was basically untouchable as well. No signs of slowing down, so I'm going with Novak as well," said Nick Kyrgios.

Djokovic is the most successful player in the history of the Australia Open, having won the competition record 10 times. He has not lost a match while playing in Melbourne since 2018 when South Korea’s Chung Hyeon got the better of him in the fourth round in straight sets with a score of 7-6, 7-5, 7-6.