Louise Eyres, ANZ group general manager of marketing said that rather than a straight sponsorship, ANZ’s involvement in the Australian Open with Djokovic had evolved into a true media play, extending across multiple platforms and social media.
Advertisement
Most of the big names you’d expect to be in action will be, including top seeds Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams.
“I played against a player who did everything flawless”, Nadal said. I know nobody playing tennis like this ever.
Wawrinka, who upset Djokovic in last year’s French Open final for his second major win, opens against Russia’s Dmitry Tursunov, while Nadal meets Spanish compatriot Fernando Verdasco.
Australian Open Men’s Draw Preview: Roger Federer Lands In Novak Djokovic’s Half; Can Rafael Nadal Make A Run?
This year has not got off to a great start for the veteran, who still seems to be suffering the effects of her calendar-year Grand Slam near-miss.
“Balance, and learning how to get it, is huge but I have no qualms that Andy will be able to deal with it and be able to balance both”.
Williams will face Camila Georgi in the first round.
“What Novak is doing… last year he had an incredible year”, he said.
Murray’s lob to beat David Goffin in the Davis Cup final and clinch the trophy for Great Britain was one of the greatest shots of his career. Other notable first-round matches include Philipp Kohlschreiber vs. No. 7 Kei Nishikori and No. 9 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. Marcos Baghdatis.
Murray allowed himself to be distracted in last year’s final defeat by Djokovic’s suspected exaggerating of cramp, and subsequently lost 12 of the last 13 games to go down in four sets.
The 18-year-old stands 6ft 6in tall and has a huge serve, but has never gone further than the second round at a grand slam.
“I’m playing much better”. Muguruza started the year at what was then her career high of 21, but stormed to third by year-end, making her first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon and winning her biggest title yet in Beijing on the way.
The quirky Belarusian could be the most likely contender to upset Williams’ Grand Slam dominance.
Of course, we must address whether one of the many talented players from the next generation can step up and win his first major at this Australian.
“But the last two years he’s had a poor record against Federer and he’s had a poor record against Djokovic”.
He was won just one of 11 against Djokovic, and lost his last five against Federer.
But he maintains he can do well as he pursues his comeback from a disappointing 2015, when he failed to any Grand Slam titles. “Sometimes you really play better or you really feel that you are ready, and you have a worse result”.
Advertisement
“I think even Roger and Rafa are just… when you step on the court against Novak now, it’s like: ‘How can you beat him?'” Annacone said. “I wasn’t thinking that”. It is a habit she can ill-afford this year with a formidable-looking Victoria Azarenka on the comeback trail and her three three closest rivals in the rankings all hungry for their first Grand Slam crown.
