The draw for the Australian Open has established the path for Novak Djokovic’s bid to claim his 11th title at the tournament and his 25th Grand Slam overall. Djokovic will start off by facing a qualifier in the opening round as he seeks to regain his momentum after a recent loss in the United Cup. The Serbian tennis maestro recently struggled with a wrist problem during his defeat to Alex de Minaur, and he hopes for a strong start at the Australian Open.
If Djokovic advances ahead, he could potentially meet Greek player Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarter-finals, potentially setting the stage for a thrilling rematch of last year’s title clash. The possible rivalry match between Djokovic and Tsitsipas adds an extra layer of excitement to the tournament.
On the women’s side of the Australian Open, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will begin her campaign against a qualifier, aiming to defend her title. Additionally, Elena Rybakina, who had a recent victory against the second-ranked player at the Brisbane International, faces former world number one Karolina Pliskova.
Carlos Alcaraz, the Wimbledon champion, will be making his way to Melbourne Park without having played any competitive matches this season. He is scheduled to face French veteran Richard Gasquet. The young Spanish player is also on track for a potential quarter-final showdown with the resurgent Alexander Zverev, who will be competing against fellow German Dominik Koepfer.
Some other notable matchups to watch for include Tsitsipas against Matteo Berrettini and Daniil Medvedev, a twice-finalist, starting against a qualifier. Italian rising star Jannik Sinner is set to face Botic van de Zandschulp.
In the women’s draw, U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff will face Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in her opener, while former champions Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber will have challenging first-round matches against Caroline Garcia and 2022 runner-up Danielle Collins, respectively. Osaka, who is making her Grand Slam return after 15 months and giving birth, aims to recapture the title she won in 2019 and 2021.
Another returning mother and former champion, Caroline Wozniacki, secured a wild card and is set to play against the 20th seed Magda Linette.
Local Australian hope Alex de Minaur, who recently shocked Djokovic in the United Cup, will kickstart his campaign against Canadian former world number three Milos Raonic. The Australian crowd will be eagerly watching de Minaur’s performance following his recent victories.
Overall, the Australian Open promises captivating matchups and intense battles as players compete for glory in the year’s first Grand Slam tournament.
