Novak Djokovic recently participated in the United Cup to gain crucial practice on the court before defending his title at the Australian Open.
Djokovic, who has won the Australian Open 10 times, may achieve his 11th title by the end of this month. Nevertheless, notable advancements have occurred during the initial week of the season, indicating that he may encounter the most rigorous evaluation of his qualifications for the title in Melbourne.
Djokovic acquired a wrist problem during his participation in the United Cup for Serbia. However, he dismissed any significant worries regarding the injury’s potential influence on his forthcoming Australian Open campaign.
Furthermore, Djokovic’s primary contenders at the Melbourne Slam might perhaps be three individuals who had minimal participation in the initial week of the tennis season. Who are they?
Djokovic Absent from Serbia’s 2024 Davis Cup Qualifiers Roster
Djokovic Absent from Serbia’s 2024 Davis Cup Qualifiers Roster
Jannik Sinner is ranked third.
Following three fruitless attempts, Jannik Sinner ultimately managed to overcome Djokovic’s dominance at the Davis Cup in the previous season. The 22-year-old achieved the unprecedented feat of saving three consecutive match points and defeating Djokovic in a captivating quarterfinal match in Malaga.
Due to the influence of two competent instructors on his team, Sinner’s game has significantly improved. This has greatly boosted his confidence, especially after defeating the Serbian player. As a result, he is now considered one of the top five contenders to win the 2024 Australian Open.
Daniil Medvedev is ranked second.
Daniil Medvedev has made the unexpected decision to forgo participating in any pre-tournament events prior to the Melbourne competition. Even the most resilient player in the ATP acknowledged that he exerted his body beyond its usual limits. Out of the six losses Djokovic experienced during the previous ATP Tour season, one of them was caused by Medvedev in the Dubai final.
The Russian exhibits formidable armament, exceptional swiftness, and an unwavering approach to the game that may cause Djokovic some vexation. He has accomplished this feat on five occasions throughout his career, with none being more captivating than his performance at the 2021 US Open.
Following his unsatisfactory elimination in the third round of the Australian Open last year, Medvedev will remain resolute in his pursuit of success, even if it entails facing Djokovic.
Carlos Alcaraz is a person’s name.
Carlos Alcaraz, one of only five men who have defeated Novak Djokovic in a Grand Slam final, has captured the Serb’s attention and is unquestionably his primary competitor at the 2024 Australian Open.
Djokovic currently holds a 3-2 advantage in their head-to-head record, having emerged victorious in two crucial encounters last season. However, Alcaraz managed to defeat Djokovic in their most recent encounter, which took place during an exhibition match in Saudi Arabia.
While the result of their confrontation in the Gulf Kingdom is not expected to have any impact on their potential meeting at the Australian Open, Alcaraz stands to benefit greatly from the year’s initial Grand Slam tournament, including the opportunity to secure the World No. 1 ranking.