Djokovic, Federer seek
AUSTRALIAN OPEN
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. Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have dominated the scene last year and Andy Murray’s sudden decision to retire makes it a Trivalry worth watching the entire season. If Nadal fails 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. Nadal will regain the No 1 ranking in the ATP list if he wins the Australian Open title and Djokovic does not reach the fourth round. The Spaniard is celebrating the 10th anniversary of his lone Australian Open championship, as he edged Federer in five sets for the 2009 trophy. 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? The Australian Open is renowned for being plagued by heat-waves 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 main showcourts. 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 deciders will now move into a tiebreak, and the first player to reach 10 points with a difference of two will win the contest.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
1 ANDY MURRAY
14 72 (Britain)
World ranking: Age:
Grand Slam titles: (Wimbledon 2013, 2016; U.S. Open 2012)
ATP career titles:
Best Aust Open performance: Runner-up (2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016) Biggest weapon: His double-handed backhand is still one of the best in the game.
Biggest weakness: Murray has failed to recapture his best form since undergoing hip surgery and may be exposed by the baseline hustlers in what could be his final tournament.
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