The 2024 Australian Open is just a few weeks away from starting, and there will be many interesting stories for fans to enjoy during the event.
The players on the ATP and WTA Tours will enter the first Grand Slam of the year with renewed hopes and goals. There are a multitude of tales for tennis lovers to follow throughout the Australian Open, with many of these not yet known, as they will be created during the tournament.
However, there are some stories that will be particularly interesting to follow in Melbourne. Many different options could be chosen, but this article provides five areas that are sure to fascinate throughout the Australian Open.
1. Rafael Nadal's Return To Tennis
Rafael Nadal is not just one of the greatest tennis players of all time, but one of the greatest sportspeople ever. The return of the 22-time Grand Slam champion after a year out has brought extra and unique attention to the Australian Open.
Nadal, who has been tipped by a former British No. 1 to be a favourite at the French Open despite his return from injury, is not backed by many to triumph in Melborune after his absence. But this is the legendary Nadal we are discussing. Only a very brave person would completely write off the 37-year-old Spaniard after everything he has achieved and overcome.
2. Naomi Osaka's Return To Tennis
There is also a multiple Grand Slam champion returning on the women's side of the draw. Naomi Osaka returns over a year after giving birth to her first child, and there are many in the tennis world who are incredibly excited about her comeback.
Like Nadal, some doubt whether Osaka will find her best level so soon after returning to professional tennis. But Osaka may return refreshed after the break she has had, and that could help her to find the blistering tennis that took her to four Grand Slam titles. Two of these were at the Australian Open, including her most recent Grand Slam triumph in 2021.
3. Which Player Is The Most Likely To Challenge Novak Djokovic?
Novak Djokovic, who is set to face Carlos Alcaraz in an exhibition, is the clear and undisputed favourite heading into the Australian Open after the extraordinary success the 10-time and defending champion has had in Melbourne.
It will be very interesting to observe who can pose the biggest challenge to the Serbian. Carlos Alcaraz is the last man to beat him in a Grand Slam final, but the Spaniard has not been past the third round at the event.
Jannik Sinner has beaten Djokovic in two of their last three encounters but has yet to make a Grand Slam final. Daniil Medvedev's sole Grand Slam final win came against Djokovic, but the 24-time Grand Slam champion also easily beat the 27-year-old in the Australian Open final in 2021.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, Holger Rune and Alexander Zverev are among the other players who will hope to topple Djokovic. Tracking their progress should be fun to watch.
4. How Aryna Sabalenka Handles Grand Slam Defence
Aryna Sabalenka has been remarkably consistent at the Grand Slams, constantly making at least the semifinal at each of them. But the Australian Open is the first time she will have the pressure of defending a Grand Slam, after Sabalenka beat Elena Rybakina in an incredible 2023 Australian Open final.
The 25-year-old's game is perfectly suited to the conditions in Melbourne. If she holds her nerve, a retention of the title she won is certainly possible. But defending a first Grand Slam title is something that many players have struggled with on both the men's and women's side in the past. Sabalenka will hope to avoid that fate.
5. Who Will Shine Most Among The Teenagers?
There are talented teenagers in the men's and women's game that could dazzle at the opening Grand Slam of the year. Arthur Fils, Luca Van Assche, and Alex Michelsen are ATP ones to watch. Fils in particular made outstanding progress last year, and has a powerful game that fans will enjoy at the Grand Slams this season.
Coco Gauff is the most obvious example on the WTA side, with the US Open champion still just being 19. But Mirra Andreeva is just 16-years-old. A huge future in tennis awaits for her, and watching her progress this season will be fascinating. Linda Noskova is another very talented teenager, and is yet another talented Czech player in the top 100.
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