Injuries make Aussie Open hard to predict

FOR good reason, a two-week grand slam can be described as a last-man-standing marathon of mental and physical endurance, which makes Roger Federer’s haul of 19 all the more incredible.

Defending champion Federer will be back sniffing a 20th major at the Australian Open but the buildup to the men’s tournament has been more about who will even make the start line in Melbourne next Monday, rather than who will last the course.

Rarely have so many top players begun the season either carrying injuries or taking the early steps back from lengthy absences.

All eyes will be on the medical bulletins as much as the on-court duels next week.

Five-time runner-up Andy Murray and Japan’s Kei Nishikori will take no part, with Murray’s hip injury casting a huge cloud over his career.

Last year’s runner-up Rafael Nadal missed the Brisbane warm-up event with the knee injury.

Six-time champion Novak Djokovic has not played a competitive match since last year’s Wimbledon because of an elbow problem.

Former champion Stan Wawrinka and Canadian Milos Raonic are also still getting up to speed after injury breaks.

With so much uncertainty about so many contenders, this year’s men’s event is one of the hardest to predict. – Reuters