Andy Murray is also touted as a threat to Djokovic’s bid for a sixth Australian Open crown, but his wife is expecting their first child and fatigue are both question marks for him.
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“I’m playing great”, said Nadal, who has finally regained his place in the world’s top five after slipping to as low as No. 10 midway through a year ago.
The 2016 Australian Open runs from January 18-31.
Novak Djokovic admits capping his dominance as the number one tennis player in the world by winning Olympic gold in Rio is among his main priorities in 2016.
After a back injury cruelled Nadal’s chances against Stan Wawrinka in the 2014 Open decider, the former world No. 1 crashed out in the quarter-finals a year ago as he continued his recovery from appendicitis.
Tomic believes Raonic’s victory over Roger Federer in the final of the Brisbane International will give the younger brigade an injection of belief that they can compete with the best – other than Djokovic.
Federer, as the third seed on rankings, could face either Djokovic or Murray in the semi-finals as the 17-time Grand Slam champion looks to win his first major title since Wimbledon 2012.
You just have to keep trying to learn, watch his matches, try and see if there’re any weaknesses there that you can capitalise on… “That means going there earlier, and becoming used to those conditions so that I can get the best out of myself”. There’re always things I need to improve on. “Plus he’s played well there historically”.
“I played against a player who did everything flawless”.
“Of course, Novak is the favourite for the Australian Open”.
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Days after leading Australia to only its second title at the Hopman Cup in Perth, the 20-year-old has become a hot topic in the Grand Slam run-up due to his heroics on court – and his new-found good behaviour. I was part of two Games, in Beijing and London, and with the way the last couple of seasons have gone for me, I feel I can do very well in Rio.
