Djokovic is the big favourite for Australian Open 2023 men’s singles
One player who could be well-rested and especially fired up in Melbourne is Nick Kyrgios.
The 2023 Australian Open promises to be the biggest in several seasons as fans come back in full force.
It has become clear that efforts have been made to clear any impediment to Novak Djokovic taking part in Melbourne.
With his visa ban set to be lifted Novak Djokovic comes into the Australian Open undoubtedly among the favourites.
Djokovic stands out immediately as the big favourite to go all the way Downunder.
Nobody has claimed more Australian Open men’s singles titles that and he sets out to complete ‘La Decima’ in 2023.
Djokovic made a strong finish to the season on the European indoor swing and looks to be close to his best form.
The one little question mark is the fitness of the aging star, just as there is intrigue around the recipe of his infamous secret drinks.
Defending champion Rafael Nadal had a less convincing end to the 2022 campaign, with injury and the birth of his first child causing disruption.
It’s dangerous to write off Nadal but he is likely to find the second week of the tournament very tough going.
Among those who could cause problems for Nadal and Djokovic, World No 1 Carlos Alcaraz might find that the Australian Open comes to soon for him after a long season in 2022.
Alcaraz showed that he can win a hard court slam in New York last year and his preparation for that tournament was also far from ideal.
One player who could be well-rested and especially fired up in Melbourne is Nick Kyrgios.
Kyrgios would love a deep run at his home slam to start a year when many will be expecting a lot from the Aussie firebrand.
There are plenty of other players who believe that they can make the first Slam of 2023 their own such as the Russian pair of Andrey Rublev and Daniil Medvedev and Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The North American challenge should also be a stiff one with a strong group of players emerging from the west.
American No 1 Taylor Fritz was gutted to exit the US Open early but could make amends on the hard courts in Melbourne.
He might struggle to come out as the top American though with an exciting group of players chasing him down on the rankings including Frances Tiafoe, who put in the best US effort at Flushing Meadows.
Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime has emerged as a real contender for top honours and also cannot be written off at the first Grand Slam of the year.
He went on a tear at the end of the season and will be taking a lot of confidence into the Australian Open season.
There are a number of very young players who might just have the ability and self-belief to claim their first slam in 2023, and one of those hot propects is Holger Rune.
Rune is another young player who enjoyed a strong finish to the season and he will be out to emulate Alcaraz and become the breakout star of 2023.
Stefanos Tsitsipas has come close a few times in Australia but will be hoping to improve on his run to the last four in 2022.
The 2023 Australian Open gets underway on Monday 16 January.
