Novak Djokovic already knows his rival to debut at the Australian Open | PHOTO

In the midst of uncertainty, due to the case of Novak Djokovic, the draw for the Australian Open 2022 was held. From the outset, the ceremony was delayed for an hour and four by the organization and then it took place, although with doubts as to whether the Serb will be deported. The truth is that the first classified in the ATP ranking already knows his opponent.

In the main draw at the Australian Open, ‘Nole’ will face his compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round. In any case, the athlete is still pending the decision of the Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke. On this subject, the local media indicated that there is still no date to know the resolution.

Djokovic, who will defend his ninth crown won on the banks of the Yarra River in the last edition and will have the opportunity to become the most successful tennis player of all time with 21 Grand Slam trophies.

If Novak beats his compatriot Kecmanovic, he could face Chilean Cristian Garín (16) in a hypothetical round of 16, Italian Matteo Berrettini (7) in the quarterfinals and German Alexander Zverev (3) or Rafael Nadal ( 6). While, in the other box, the potential rivals for a final can be: the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (4) or the Russian Daniil Medvedev (2).

‘Rafa’ Nadal and the other favorites

Rafael Nadal, like Djokovic, can reach twenty-one Grand Slam titles to become the biggest winner in history. To achieve that milestone, the sixth classified will make his debut against the American Marcos Giron.

Of course, Nadal warned that his expectations are not the same as in previous years after landing in Melbourne after six months away from the competition as a result of his chronic injury to his left foot.

However, the Spaniard got off to a strong start to the season after becoming champion in the 250 category Melbourne Summer Set after beating American Maxime Cressy in the final.

His rival in a hypothetical round of 16 would be the Polish Hubert Kurcakz (10), in the quarterfinals the German Alexander Zverev (3) and in the semifinals Djokovic (1).

On the other side of the table, a possible quarter-final would be those that would face the Norwegian Casper Ruud (8) with the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (4), as well as a hypothetical duel between the Russians Andrey Rublev (5) and Daniil Medvedev (2 ) that would reissue the battle that took the world number two in the last edition.

Regarding the main alternatives to the title, Medvedev will start against the Swiss Henry Laaksonen; Zverev will face his compatriot Saniel Altmaier and Greek Tsitsipas will face Mikael Ymer.

The reigning champion of the New York ‘major’ Medvedev could count on a duel of height in the second round against the Australian Nick Kyrgios.