FIVE THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO AT THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN

The years 2017 and 2018 were all about the old guard and by the look of it Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will continue to hold sway in 2019 too. As the tennis season gets going, here are five things to look forward to at the year’s first Grand Slam:

THE ‘TRIVALRY’ CONTINUES

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer dominated the scene last year and Andy Murray’s sudden decision to retire makes it a ‘trivalry’ worth watching. Things will be more competitive if Nadal regains match fitness.

Djokovic, Nadal and Federer have combined to win 13 of the past 15 Australian Open titles, eight straight Grand Slam championships overall and 51 of 62 majors dating back to Federer’s breakthrough victory at Wimbledon in 2003. The living legends return to Melbourne Park as No 1, No 2 and No 3 in the ATP Rankings (Djokovic, Nadal, Federer) and are among the favourites for the title.

BATTLE FOR NO 1 SPOT

Nadal will regain the No 1 ranking in the ATP list if he wins the Australian Open and Djokovic does not reach the fourth round. The Spaniard is celebrating the 10th anniversary of his lone Australian Open championship, when he edged Federer in five sets for the 2009 trophy.

CAN SERENA EQUAL COURT?

Serena Williams is favourite to win an eighth title at Melbourne Park and draw level with Australian Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam singles crowns, which would be another incredible achievement for the 37-year-old mother. She was denied the title at Wimbledon and US Open in 2017. Can she do it in Mebourne?

NEW HEAT POLICY

The Australian Open is knowned for being plagued by a heat-wave and for tournament organisers' reluctance to suspend matches despite extreme conditions. The organisers this year will use a new ‘Heat Stress Scale’ and though players may need a degree in thermodynamics to understand the calculations, the policy at least provides some clarity as to when matches should be suspended and roofs closed on the showcourts.

NEW TIE-BREAK FORMAT

The Australian Open has joined Wimbledon in introducing a final set tiebreak. Where the year's first Grand Slam previously offered the possibility of marathon final sets decided by a two-game advantage, matches tied at 6-6 in the decider will now move into a tiebreak, and the first player to reach 10 points with a