“All you have to do is look at Djokovic who is one week younger, and he’s been playing unbelievable tennis since he’s had a son”, said Gilbert, speaking on behalf of ESPN.co.uk.
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But the first Grand Slam of 2016 appears to be nothing more than Djokovic’s for the taking.
Here are five questions leading into Melbourne. There are some names there, but Djokovic is just playing too well right now.
Djokovic is probably the fittest player on tour and it’s hard to imagine there is any part of his training regime that gives him a hard time but the world No. 1 on Friday revealed his least favourite portion of his pre-season preparations.
Number Seven: He Shined on Blue Clay.
In the past, Williams has overcome injuries and a life-threatening illness to amass 21 grand slam singles titles.
Williams pulled out of the leadup Hopman Cup in Perth midway through her first match with soreness in the same left knee that troubled her during the U.S. Open.
Can anyone stop “stratospheric” Djokovic? .
The Australian public will have its eyes trained on 20-year-old Nick Kyrgios, the controversial big-talker who has earned the No. 29 seed. Sport always goes in cycles and tennis is no different.
Nadal during the Fast 4 Tennis event.
The 10-time Grand Slam champion from Serbia is projected to face Japan’s seventh seed Kei Nishikori in the quarters, while Switzerland’s 17-time major victor Federer is set to meet Czech Tomas Berdych in the second quarter-final of the top half of the men’s draw.
“Of course he’s the favorite for the Australian Open”.
Will Nadal pose a threat? .
But what if he didn’t have to tangle with the 28-year-old? His persistence, variety, fitness and movement make Murray the man to beat in this section.
First, though, Nadal must see off countryman Fernando Verdasco in an intriguing sequel of their epic five-set semi-final in 2009. Verdasco has beaten Nadal in two of their last three meetings.
Serena Williams shown practicing on Thursday ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Rafael Nadal also has a decent record at Melbourne Park, having won the title once and finished runner-up twice.
Women’s US Open champion Flavia Pennetta is a notable absentee from the women’s competition after the Italian retired after her success in NY.
Could Azarenka be the women’s favorite?
Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka moved back into the top 16 with her victory at the Brisbane International last week, her first title since 2013. Murray would not meet world number one Novak Djokovic until the final.
She skipped the remainder of the year to recuperate, also indicating the mental pressure to achieve the grand slam had taken a toll as she admitted her heart had been broken by the defeat to Italy’s Roberta Vinci. Cilic, a 2010 Australian Open semifinalist, backed up his US Open title with a trip to the final four in NY last summer.
“There’s no doubt that Murray had his most consistent year last year”, Gilbert said. Her 2016 season got off to a poor start when she lost in the first round while defending the ASB Classic title she won a year ago in Auckland, New Zealand.
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“I think the other players, there are a little bit more weaknesses and stuff”, he continued.
