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MELBOURNE. — Novak Djokovic returns to the Australian Open a year on from his controversial deportation, again primed as the man to beat at the opening Grand Slam tennis tournament of the 2023 season.
The 35-year-old Serb, aiming for a record-extending 10th title in Melbourne and a record-equalling 22nd men’s major, has warmed up by winning an ATP title in Adelaide.
Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz, ranked the world’s best men’s player, has pulled out with a knee injury and is one of several high-profile names to miss out.
British women’s number one Emma Raducanu suffered an ankle injury in the build-up, initially putting her participation in doubt but the 20-year-old is now seemingly winning her fitness battle.
Raducanu will be hoping to be one of seven Britons playing in the singles main draws, with 11th seed Cameron Norrie and Andy Murray headlining the men’s interest.
This will also be the first Grand Slam event following the retirements of veteran superstars Serena Williams and Roger Federer.
With the tournament starting on Monday, BBC Sport runs through the major talking points.
Djokovic is still the man to beat
The build-up to this year’s tournament has been much quieter than 12 months ago – but Djokovic remains the centre of most of the attention.
After a cancelled visa, detention in an immigration centre, multiple court cases and eventual deportation — all as a consequence of him being unvaccinated against Covid-19 – Djokovic was unable to play in the 2022 edition of a tournament which he has long dominated.
On his return, the Serb will be glad to focus on the tennis and looks well placed to regain his stranglehold on the trophy.
The nine-time champion has won the title on his past three appearances and has lost only three matches at Melbourne Park since 2011.
A limited schedule, partly down to not being allowed to enter the United States last year because of his vaccination status, means he is ranked fifth in the world but a strong end to last season, and confident start to this year, shows he still remains the man to beat.
Winning the Adelaide title last week came after triumphs in Tel Aviv, Astana and the ATP Tour Finals in 2022, with the only defeat in his past 25 matches inflicted by Holger Rune in the Paris Masters final.
Plus, one would imagine a player who has regularly thrived when he feels he has a point to prove will have extra fire in his belly after last year’s chaos.
If he wins the title, Djokovic will also regain the world number one ranking.
Who can challenge in Alcaraz’s absence?
Spain’s Rafael Nadal was the main beneficiary of Djokovic’s absence last year, winning a record 21st major men’s title and extending his overall tally with another victory at the French Open.
Nadal (36) is one ahead of Djokovic, who reduced the gap at Wimbledon, in the race to finish with the most silverware which is regularly used to determine the greatest players of all time.
Like Djokovic, Nadal can never be underestimated and ruled out of contention at a major. The two-time champion will be the top seed following US Open winner Alcaraz’s withdrawal.
But, after an abdominal injury ruined the second half of last season for him, and having started this season with two consecutive defeats at the United Cup, another Nadal triumph looks to be a long shot.
A tough draw — which begins with a first-round match against rising British star Jack Draper — could also be problematic.
Norway’s Casper Ruud will look to continue his upward trajectory following runs to the French Open and US Open finals last year, while Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas is also aiming to finally land his first major at a venue where he has a strong record.
Ruud and Tsitsipas also have the opportunity to become the world number one for the first time, guaranteed to replace Alcaraz if they win the title.
Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios will be the centre of attention for the home fans, Russia’s Daniil Medvedev — who lost the 2022 final after a stunning fightback by Nadal — is aiming to recapture his best form, while Danish teenager Holger Rune aims to continue his swift ascent.
Swiatek aiming to continue dominance
For the first time since Serena Williams was in her pomp almost a decade ago, the WTA season was completely dominated by a single player last year.
Iga Swiatek rose to the top of the world rankings when Australia’s Ashleigh Barty announced her shock retirement in March, a time the 21-year-old from Poland was almost midway through a 37-match winning streak and on the way to winning the third of six titles in a row.
One of those triumphs came at the French Open — the second time she had won at Roland Garros — and she finished a productive season with another major trophy at the US Open.
The signs remain Swiatek will continue this year where she left off, although a defeat by American Jessica Pegula last week left the Pole in tears on the court and she subsequently pulled out of a tournament in Adelaide citing a shoulder injury.
Pegula, one of the most consistent players last season but still to land a major, also withdrew from the warm-up event after inspiring the US to victory at the inaugural United Cup.
The world number three is expected to challenge Swiatek at Melbourne Park, where a new champion will be crowned after Barty — who announced last week she is pregnant — ended Australia’s 44-year wait for a major singles champion. — BBC Sport.
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