Djokovic visa controversy seems to have affected Australian Open run-up
In recent times, the season-opening Australian Open has been played against a grim backdrop. If unprecedented bushfires affected the build-up in 2020, it was the turn of the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions to suffocate players in 2021. However, nothing compares to the saga that lasted 10 long days in the 2022 edition, which began on Monday. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, a nine-time winner in Melbourne, his visa was revoked and he was closed On his decision to remain unaffiliated. Australia’s high vaccination rate has been credited with keeping its mortality rate low, despite the continuing surge in cases. In such a setting, the presence of an uninfected star who has not displayed COVID-appropriate behavior in the past was a tough sell. With Roger Federer also absent, the main drawcard is now Rafael Nadal, the only former Australian Open men’s singles champion. The Spaniard is locked with Federer and Djokovic at 20 majors and could single-handedly hold on to the record for most Grand Slam men’s singles titles with his second trophy Down Under. But by his own admission, Nadal has not been in Slam-winning form, although he won a tournament last week in his first competitive appearance since last August. If the 35-year-old can rediscover his mojo to erase the pain of losing four finals in Australia, it will be an achievement for his career.
The favorites for the men’s title are thus world No. 2 and current US Open champion Daniil Medvedev and third-place German Alexander Zverev, Olympic gold medalist and last year’s ATP Tour Finals winner. Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini and French Open finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas are behind him. On the other hand, despite the absence of Serena Williams, the women’s field boasts incredible depth of field, with fewer than 10 major champions still in draws (Sofia Kenin, Angelique Kerber, Petra Kvitova and Sloane Stephens are yet to pull out). . Brutal ball-strikers and consummate shot-makers abound, so bless solid counter-punchers and cunning all-courters with magical hands. Where men’s tennis has spawned a string of ‘big game’ players – armed with a cannonball serve and a crushing groundstroke – women’s sport has an eclectic feel, suggesting that women’s tennis is currently the most Nice tennis. The leader of the pack is world No 1 Ashleigh Barty, home favorite and defending champion Naomi Osaka, who was also crowned in 2019. There’s also Garbine Muguruza, Victoria Azarenka and Simona Halep, who are all major winners with proven credentials. , Closer to home, the Indians will again look to experienced doubles specialists Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna as the nation go on to a fourth straight slam without a singles player in the main draw.
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