But what if he didn’t have to tangle with the 28-year-old?
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Nadal described Djokovic’s performance as “better than impossible” and hoped it wasn’t something that could be repeated.
Is Serena fit and firing?
The 14-time Grand Slam victor said his motivation this week will be the 2016 Australian Open, where he opens the tournament facing compatriot Fernando Verdasco and where he has a projected quarterfinal match-up against World No. 4 Stan Wawrinka. But Djokovic won five of their eight matches last season, including the most important, in the finals of both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.
The preparations of the reigning champions couldn’t be more contrasting in the week leading up to the first Grand Slam tournament of the year.
Konta, who enjoyed a superb breakthrough season in 2015, is drawn with Venus Williams, the seven-time major champion whom she took to three sets before losing at Wuhan in October.
The world No. 1, struck by a virus that she said at one stage made her “collapse”, nonetheless battled her way to the crown at Roland Garros in June.
No male player, and only Steffi Graf on the women’s side, has ever achieved the “Golden Slam”: winning all four major titles and Olympic singles gold in a single year.
“As for fatherhood, all you have to do is look at Djokovic who is one week younger, and he’s playing unbelievable tennis since he’s had a son”, added the ESPN pundit, also a former coach of Andre Agassi. In 2015, she suffered a thigh strain that saw her slip down the world rankings to close the year at 22.
The quirky Belarusian could be the most likely contender to upset Williams’ Grand Slam dominance.
The early rounds seem straightforward for No. 5 seed Maria Sharapova, who first faces Nao Hibino and could then meet Yanina Wickmayer or Magdalena Rybarikova. I’m excited about his prospects and I’d be surprised if he doesn’t get to the final. Stay updated about the upcoming 2016 Australian Open here on TheBitBag. All eyes will now be on whether she can “pinish” her opponents in Melbourne. And of course Andy Murray.
Francesca Schiavone’s record of playing in 61 consecutive Grand Slam events over 15 years has ended after a loss in the in the qualifying tournament for the Australian Open.
Nishikori, although he would make the quarters if you went by seeding alone, is one player that I don’t think will play that well next week. “Balance is huge, and learning how to be able to do it. But I have no qualms about Andy being able to deal with it”.
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The 29-year-old said he hadn’t decided how many Australian Opens were left in him but said there could be as many as five. She’s earned nicknames including “The Magician”, “Ninja” and “La Profesora” for her seemingly impossible shot-making, but a leg injury forced her to take some downtime when she missed the Sydney International, the last tournament before the Australian Open.
