I’m hungry, I still want to race, I feel like I can run for hours, said Novak Djokovic. The ten-time Australian Open champion declared his intent to defend the title as he returned to Rod Laver Arena, a venue where he has never lost a final and has a streak of 28 victories in a row.
It begins on January 14 at 21:00 local time, which corresponds to 9:00 in Spain, with Eurosport covering the action. Melbourne Park will welcome spectators on a Sunday for the first time in tournament history to start an exciting 2024 season. Djokovic hopes to claim his eleventh Australian Open title and his 25th Grand Slam, maintaining the dominant run that marked 2023, with Carlos Alcaraz as the main rival. The year is expected to bring Nadal into the spotlight again, though a muscle injury in Brisbane may keep him off the track and away from the tournament peak.
So what about these debuts?
#1 seed Djokovic will open against a ranked opponent, while Alcaraz makes his entrance against Richard Gasquet, a moment that promises to set the tone for the event.
In the corridor leading to the Grand Slam headquarters, Djokovic will pass 10 photographs of champions since 1905, a visual timeline near the entrance. The streak of triumph began with a win in 2008 and continued through last year’s final victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas, with Djokovic having missed the 2022 edition after his Covid vaccination status led to a temporary exclusion. The last Melbourne loss occurred in 2018 when he was eliminated in the last 16 by a Korean player.
Rivalry and expectations
“I love playing here, where I achieved my best Grand Slam success,” Djokovic commented as he prepared to defend the title against the Croatian Dino Prizmic, an 18 year old who will be making his Grand Slam debut.
Djokovic, who first competed in Australia in 2005, remains focused on maintaining peak form as he approaches 37 years of age. He is keen to chase the Grand Slam and the Olympic Games, with other goals still to be defined.
Fans are eager to see him in action against Alcaraz, as the Spaniard has not yet hung a wall full of photos in his hallway, but is openly aiming for a season that features multiple Grand Slams, especially Roland Garros, and the Olympic gold in Paris. The 20 year old from Murcia has already proven he can dethrone Djokovic, having taken the No. 1 ranking after a long run and securing the Melbourne crown at Wimbledon last year.
Battle for No. 1
Australia presents a challenging landscape for the player from El Palmar, who debuted in 2021 and has recorded a mix of results so far. He has shown strong performances at recent Grand Slams, including a US Open title and runner-up finishes at Wimbledon and Roland Garros in prior seasons. The top two spots in the rankings remain tightly contested as Alcaraz and Djokovic vie for No. 1 again. A 2,200 point gap separates them, and Alcaraz could move ahead with a deep run to the quarterfinals or semifinals, while Djokovic would need to reach the final winning the event or have his opponent not be from Serbia to extend his lead.
There is always excitement around a clash between Djokovic and Alcaraz, a rivalry that tends to shape the course of the year. A strong performance by Alcaraz could upend Djokovic’s dominance and reset the momentum in this early season.
Fans shared a quick glimpse of what could unfold with hopeful messages and highlights from both players ahead of the opening rounds.
Alcaraz, who has yet to play an official match this year, will face a seasoned opponent in Richard Gasquet on Tuesday and faces a road filled with top contenders including Tommy Paul, Alexander Zverev, and Daniil Medvedev, who have posted notable results in Melbourne in recent seasons.
Betting and expectations
The betting market places Djokovic as a strong favorite, followed by Alcaraz and Sinner, with Medvedev not far behind. Others such as Tsitsipas, Zverev, Rune, Fritz, and Shelton trail further behind in odds. The landscape reflects a broad field with many potential upsets and a chance for young talents to make their mark early in the year.
Nadal’s absence and the women’s race
Nadal’s absence from Melbourne has cast a shadow over the early rounds, as the 2022 champion has chosen to focus on Roland Garros and the Paris Olympics rather to attempt a comeback in this edition. His decision highlights the challenging balance players navigate between slam titles and Olympic aspirations.
On the women’s side, the current champion Aryna Sabalenka faces off against Iga Swiatek in a field that rarely sticks to expectations, with American hopes centered on Coco Gauff following a strong performance at the U.S. Open and Elena Rybakina pursuing the big year. Other contenders include the likes of Paula Badosa and Taylor Townsend, both seeking to reestablish themselves after recent interruptions and injuries.