Djokovic against the rest of the world and Serena in search of the record in the Australian Open

Melbourne, Feb 6 2021 (AFP) -Among the psychological effects of the quarantine, injuries and lack of competition, a very particular Australian Open begins on Monday in Melbourne, where Novak Djokovic will seek a ninth title, his 18th major, and in which Serena Williams will try to add her 24th Grand Slam, to equal the record of the Australian Margaret Court.

But there is good news: after fourteen days of isolation linked to covid-19, the players are going to meet the public again, since the organizers announced they want to allow between 25,000 and 30,000 spectators per day in the Melbourne Park venue.

“I feel at home, and particularly at Rod Laver,” Novak Djokovic declared this week about his feelings before the tournament, noting that he is well prepared.

The number one in the world will be the man to beat. But if it is indisputable in the game, it is answered in its attitude.

Disqualified at the last US Open for having hit, albeit unintentionally, a linesman with a ball, he again drew criticism in the quarantine imposed on players upon arrival in Melbourne.

Isolated in VIP conditions in Adelaide, he tried to obtain an improvement of the quarantine conditions of his colleagues confined in Melbourne. But these proposals (especially the request for houses equipped with tennis courts and better quality food), did not have the expected impact, rather the opposite.

The Prime Minister of the State of Victoria responded with a firm refusal, and the tennis players did not applaud him either.

Nick Kyrgios called Djokovic a “cretin” and Stan Wawrinka was ironic about the proposals made “from Adelaide? Ahhahah.”

The draw was tough for Djokovic. Before reaching an eventual final against Nadal, who will seek the men’s record of 21 Grand Slam titles, and in the absence of Roger Federer, the Serbian will have to fight hard from the last 16.

In this way, they could cross their path Stan Wawrinka (18th) or Milos Raonic (15th), Alexander Zverev (7th) and Dominic Thiem (3rd), whom he defeated last year in the final, and who later won in confidence with his first big title, the US Open.

Nadal, who is physically on the mend (he resigned from the ATP Cup this week due to back pain and hasn’t played in competition since his Masters semi-final in November), seems to have a slightly clearer run to the quarterfinals, where he would be expected. Stefanos Tsitsipas (6th) and then Daniil Medvedev (4th). The latter, like his compatriot Andrey Rublev (8th), confirmed during the ATP Cup their spectacular finale to the 2020 season, taking Russia to the final.

In the women’s tournament, where the hierarchy is more shifting, Spain’s Garbiñe Muguruza (finalist in 2020) and Australian Ashleigh Barty (world number one) appear in good shape after reaching the Yarra Valley final in Melbourne this week.

American Serena Williams will continue her quest for a 24th Grand Slam title to equal Australia’s Margaret Court’s record.

The youngest of the Williams sisters is locked in 23 major titles since her victory at the 2017 Australian Open, later playing four finals (Wimbledon 2018 and 2019 and US Open 2018 and 2019) without success.

“It is clear that it weighs on my shoulders. And I think it is good to keep it in mind. But it is a burden that evolves and to which I have become accustomed. It is less stressful now,” said the American tennis player.

Several players, including Nadal, Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Simona Halep, Victoria Azarenka or Bianca Andreescu, gave up playing or were out due to injury in the week of preparatory tournaments for the Open. Most likely they have tried to physically reserve.

But the former world number one Jim Courrier pointed out the “crucial” aspect of the mental state after 14 days of quarantine (72 players were confined without authorization to leave, while the rest were able to train five hours a day).

The players “already expended a lot of physical energy trying to get into a good mental state,” the American said.

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AFP