Djokovic, Federer seek seventh heaven

Both eye their seventh title in Melbourne as Nadal struggles with fitness and Murray set to bow out

MELBOURNE: Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic are both gunning for a record seventh Australian Open crown from on Monday, but Andy Murray will make his last appearance in Melbourne as the era of the “Big Four” draws to a close.

No 1 Djokovic and third seed Federer face a stern challenge from the likes of Alexander Zverev, seeded four, who is still looking for a first major to cement his place as torch-bearer for the next generation.

But Murray dropped a preGrand Slam bombshell, breaking down during a tear-filled press conference as he revealed chronic hip pain means he will retire after Wimbledon — if he can carry on that long.

And question marks remain over the fitness of world No 2 Rafael Nadal who pulled out of his Brisbane warm-up but arrived in Melbourne professing he was “fully fit” and promising to unleash a re-modelled serve.

It all means the era of the “Big Four” is almost over after a season in which Federer — who opens his title defence against Denis Istomin on Monday — rolled back the years on Rod Laver Arena to lift an emotional 20th Grand Slam.

It put him on a par with other six-time Australian Open winners Djokovic and Roy Emerson.

By contrast, the 31-year-old Djokovic endured a miserable early Melbourne exit in 2018, followed by elbow surgery and a string of disappointing results that saw him drop outside the top 20. But since winning a fourth Wimbledon in July, the Serb rose inexorably back to number one by losing only three further matches — one of which was to Zverev at the ATP Finals.

Djokovic won his third US Open in September to put him on 14 Grand Slams — three behind Nadal and six behind Federer.

And Djokovic said Sunday he was delighted to be back in Melbourne where his rise to greatness all began in 2008 with his first Grand Slam win.

“It was my first major trophy, that obviously served as a great springboard for my career,” Djokovic said.