Australian Open: Djokovic aims for 22, favorite Swiatek where the blues … What you need to know about the tournament

“Ready? Play in! The season really kicks off this Monday with the opening of the Australian Open. Not forgetting the unique 2022 tournament in so many ways, from Djokovic’s (un)vaccinated psychodrama to Nadal’s ghostly stunning triumph. Emotionally, a 2023 vintage There is a lot to be done to reach the level of the previous edition, but it promises to be exciting and could be historic…

Who can beat Djokovic?

It’s (almost) written. Two weeks later, 35-year-old Novak Djokovic will join Rafael Nadal at level 22 of the Grand Slam standings. The Serbian is aiming for a 10th crown in Melbourne and remains on track for 34 consecutive wins on Australian soil, where he hasn’t lost since 2018…Since the end of the American tour (which he was denied due to being unvaccinated), World No. 5, a recent winner in Adelaide, resumed his hellish rhythm as a winning machine. 23 successes in the last 24 matches (including Masters), the only hitch was the Bercy final (Rune won).

Suffice it to say that even with hamstrings that seem to squeak a bit, Belgradua is acting like a big favourite. “No doubt it is him,” Nadal slips. In the absence of the injured Carlos Alcaraz, a new coronation in the state of Victoria would even allow him to regain the world number 1 spot he has already held for 373 weeks! When we look at a potential Joker picture, we tell ourselves that the good fairies are bent over a prank. On paper, he should really eliminate Carballes (75th), Dellien (132nd), Dimitrov (29th), Carreno-Busta (15th), Rublev (6th) and Ruud (3rd) on way to the final…

In addition to Nadal’s big question mark, other contenders include Medvedev, who has fallen a bit behind in recent months, Tsitsipas, who is struggling to reach the final milestone, Auger-Aliassime, and the ambitious Roon and Fritz, who could ruin the sport. . Eccentric Australian Nick Kyrgios, Wimbledon 2022 finalist, says he’s ready to go all the way at home and retire immediately. Djokovic’s new “best friend” should put on a show anyway.

Yoke or not Yoke?

Again, no need to look for noon at two o’clock, especially with jet lag. Iga Swiatek is one step ahead in the search for her first Australian trophy. Blown up as world No. 1 in the spring of 2022 after Barty’s unexpected retirement, the 21-year-old Polish woman more than lives up to her title. All the way to winning the Roland Garros and the US Open and now scoring more than twice as many WTA points as his runner-up Ons Jabeur…

On a circuit where girls have come and gone without consistency for years and where several Grand Slam winners present in Melbourne seem very far removed from their distant or recent exploits (Ostapenko, Rybakina, Azarenka, Muguruza, Radukan…), Svyatek is well feels. left at last. Especially with his complete game and his sense of adaptation.

The biggest opportunity for improvement for the Warsaw native, who is accompanied daily by her psychologist Daria Abramovich, lies in managing her emotions. We saw her cry hot tears in a towel after a dry loss to American Pegula at the United Cup. “It has a pretty strong emotional dimension,” explained former world No. 1 Justine Henin. This is one of the areas of his work. »

Jabert, Gauff or Sabalenko will be on guard to take advantage of the slightest mistake #1. Not forgetting, of course, Carolina Garcia, who considers herself more than ever capable of winning her first major in the next two years, and why not starting on January 28th. ..

Is there a Frenchman in the room?

The Garcia tree alone cannot inhabit a meager tricolor forest. Among the boys, they have no wild ambitions and plan instead to spend sleepless nights in front of the TV from the very beginning of the tournament. With the immortal Gasquet, the new blue-white-red number 1, facing Humbert from the start, we are at least guaranteed to get Khabs in round 2, probably against Kyrgios.

For the rest, we’ll be following the debut in the big picture of 18-year-old Luka Van Aasche, the 2021 Roland-Garros Junior winner, who has been on the rise in recent months. The youngest player among the 150 players in the world (142nd) will challenge Britain’s Norrie (12th), who was beaten by Gasquet on Saturday in the final in Auckland. Former hope Quentin Halis (64th) will have to go through the Tsitsipas box, while “wizard” Constant Lestien (65th) will have a good chance to play against Monteiro (69th).

Jeremy Chardy, 35, who is currently unclassified and out of the circuit for a year and a half after undergoing surgery on his right knee, will return against Colombian Galán (68th). In the comeback category, Qualifying Laurent Lokoli could come up with a surprise against Goffin (53rd).