Djokovic battles wrist injury, Alcaraz's rise intensifies – a captivating storyline at the Australian Open 2024.
Once again, Novak Djokovic is the overwhelming favourite at the Australian Open as he looks to win an incredible 25 Grand Slam titles; but, a wrist injury and the rise of Carlos Alcaraz could end his unstoppable run.
After defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Melbourne Open final the previous year to win a record-tying tenth Melbourne crown, the 36-year-old Serbian player went on to win the US Open and French Open in 2023.
However, Alcaraz, who is a different player than the one who last graced the Australian hard courts as an 18-year-old ranked outside the top 30, defeated him in a thrilling Wimbledon final.
With a hamstring injury that kept him out of the competition the previous year, the 20-year-old is back this year as the tennis world’s second-ranked player, behind Novak Djokovic, and its most promising new talent.
Longtime opponent Rafael Nadal withdrew from the Australian Open on Sunday due to a muscle rupture, dealing a serious blow to Djokovic’s prospects of rising back to the top of the game.
Alcaraz, another Spaniard who plays with Rafael Nadal, chose not to participate in a warm-up event for the first Grand Slam of the year, which leaves his 2024 form unclear.
However, at the United Cup, Novak Djokovic lost to Australian Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-4 after dropping a set to Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic.
It ended a 43-game winning streak in Australia, and Djokovic will start his defence with a scar from an injury sustained during the first two games.
After falling to De Minaur, he commented, “I think I have enough time to get myself in the right shape for the Australian Open and that’s what matters the most at this point.”
All of this is a part of the preparation for the Australian Open. I want to give my best effort there.
After losing to Jannik Sinner in the Davis Cup to close his 2023 season, Djokovic faced challenges in the United Cup. Sinner, a rising Italian world number four, was determined to unseat Djokovic.
Well, that’s a tall order.
Djokovic has a 20-0 record in Melbourne Park’s semifinals and finals and hasn’t lost at the Australian Open since 2018.
“I know that I can win any Slam or tournament when I’m fit and performing at my best, and I’m not afraid to say that,” Djokovic declared.
“I want to break more records and create more history in the game; that much is obvious.”
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With more Grand Slam victories than Rafael Nadal (22), Novak Djokovic is the most successful player in men’s tennis history.
He will surpass Australian Margaret Court, who won 24 majors in the women’s game, if he triumphs in Melbourne once again.
Nadal has returned to Spain for treatment, so at least he doesn’t have to worry about him anymore.
The 37-year-old hasn’t played tennis since he injured his hip at the 2023 Australian Open; he didn’t return until last week at the Brisbane International.
Given that he stated in Brisbane that there was a “high percentage” that 2024 would be his final year on the circuit, Nadal’s absence could mean the end of his Australian career.
Expected to compete as well is Daniil Medvedev of Russia, a finalist in Melbourne in 2021 and 2022.
He made the same decision as Alcaraz to skip a warm-up tournament, but he had a fantastic 2023, winning 66 matches—more than any other player on the circuit—and taking home five titles.
The 27-year-old, who claimed his sole Grand Slam victory in 2021 at the US Open, claimed he has never been more driven.
“I hope this can last for a long time, but at this point in my life, at least right now, I have the biggest motivation ever to just keep pushing my boundaries,” he remarked.
World No. 5 Andrey Rublev will begin his campaign after winning the Hong Kong Open, and Tsitsipas, the losing finalist from last year, will also be optimistic.
In an effort to spread out the early-round action and avoid some late-night finishes, the Australian Open will now take place over 15 days, beginning on Sunday.
