HOW THE LEADING MEN’S CONTENDERS SHAPE UP FOR THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN:
RAFAEL NADAL (ESP)
Age: 36
Ranking: 2
Plays: left-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize cash: $US134,529,921
Career titles: 92
Grand slam titles: 22 (Australian Open 2009, 2022; French Open 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022; Wimbledon 2008, 2010; US Open 2010, 2013, 2017, 2019)
Australian Open win-loss report: 76-15
Best Australian Open outcomes: champion 2009, 2022; runner-up 2012, 2014, 2017, 2019
Men’s tennis’ most prolific grand slam title winner is defending his crown in Melbourne for the primary time in 13 years after cashing in on Novak Djokovic’s absence 12 months in the past. Elevated to prime seed following the withdrawal of injured world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz.
CASPER RUUD (NOR)
Age: 24
Ranking: 3
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize cash: $US13,291,561
Career titles: 9
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss report: 4-3
Best Australian Open consequence: fourth spherical 2021
Eight of his profession titles have come on clay however the Norwegian did attain the US Open closing on exhausting courts in September and is seeded to make the title match at a second straight main.
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS (GRE)
Age: 24
Ranking: 4
Plays: right-handed
Career prize cash: $US23,655,204
Career titles: 9
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss report: 15-5
Best Australian Open outcomes: semi-finalist 2019, 2021, 2022
With three semi-finals up to now 4 years, the Greek ace has been knocking on the door at Melbourne Park and perhaps 2023 could possibly be his time to burst by means of and declare his maiden main. Unbeaten and in nice contact in 4 matches on the United Cup.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC (SRB)
Age: 35
Ranking: 5
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize cash: $US164,786,653
Career titles: 92
Grand slam titles: 21 (Australian Open 2008, 2011-2013, 2015-16, 2019-21; French Open 2016, 2021; Wimbledon 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022; US Open 2011, 2015, 2018)
Australian Open win-loss report: 82-8
Best Australian Open outcomes: champion 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021
The perennial Open favorite having gained a report 9 titles from as many finals in Melbourne, the Serbian celebrity has the added motivation of chasing a tenth crown after being sensationally booted overseas final yr. Unbeaten in 34 matches in Australia since 2018.
DANIIL MEDVEDEV (RUS)
Age: 26
Ranking: 8
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize cash: $US26,632,531
Career titles: 15
Grand slam titles: 1 (US Open 2021)
Australian Open win-loss report: 19-6
Best Australian Open outcomes: runner-up 2021, 2022
The former world No.1 might have dropped within the rankings however he nonetheless stays a hardcourt grand slam drive after profitable his maiden main in New York. He reached the previous two finals at Melbourne Park, falling to Nadal and Djokovic.
NICK KYRGIOS (AUS)
Age: 27
Ranking: 21
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize cash: $US12,478,415
Career titles: 7
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss report: 17-9
Best Australian Open consequence: quarter-finalist 2015
Breakout 2022 runs to the Wimbledon closing and US Open’s final eight have given the mercurial expertise the assumption he can, lastly, critically problem for grand slam spoils. An enormous probability if he can maintain his head however might strike Djokovic within the quarter-finals.
BEST OUTSIDER
TAYLOR FRITZ (USA)
Age: 25
Ranking: 9
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize cash: $US10,827,901
Career titles: 4
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss report: 9-6
Best Australian Open consequence: fourth spherical 2022
The American loved a breakout season in 2022, profitable Indian Wells and stretching Nadal to 5 epic units within the Wimbledon quarter-finals to crack the world’s prime 10 for the primary time. Helping the US to United Cup glory has solely fuelled his perception.
BEST OTHER AUSSIE HOPE
ALEX DE MINAUR
Age: 23
Ranking: 24
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize cash: $US7,944,797
Career titles: 6
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss report: 8-5
Best Australian Open consequence: fourth spherical 2022
Brimming with confidence after posting victories over Nadal and Medvedev – final yr’s finalists – up to now two months. May must knock off Djokovic within the final 16 to make the quarter-finals for the primary time.
