” Get in its 31 “. Contrary to what one might think, this expression has nothing to do with December 31 and the desire to dress in style to celebrate the New Year. It comes from the fact that in the 18th century the Prussian soldiers received visits from high-ranking officers on the 31st of the different months and tried to be as impeccable as possible for the occasion; or a distortion of the word “threntain”, a luxurious fabric worn in the Middle Ages. Anyway, that’s Lorànt Deutsch for the moment. And, in any case, the tennis lover following this sport religiously doesn’t care, he celebrated the start of the year 2024 well before the layman, by dressing in his 28.
The official start of the new season took place on December 29, with the start of the United Cup. Since then, almost the entire top 50 has returned to the courts. Only three of its members preferred to enjoy a longer preparation. Numbers two, three and four in the ATP rankings. Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner. Three of the main favorites for the Australian Open. Three men who decided not to play any tournament before the first “Slam” of the year. The opportunity to take a look at the prize list to see how many players have lifted the Norman Brookes Trophy after making the same choice, since 1987.
Since 1987, 35% of Australian Open winners have not played any preparation tournaments…
« Why only since 1987?? », the devoted editor of these lines hears you questioning yourself. The opportunity to recall good old “Lolo” Deutsch for a quick historical explanation: before 1983, the Australian Major was neglected by many of the best on the planet, and in 1984 and 1985 – not organized in 1986 – it was held at the end of the season, in November. Since 1987 inclusive, 37 OAs have taken place. 13 were won by players who had not played any preparation competition, or 35%; counting the Hopman Cup, a sort of ancestor of the United Cup organized from 1988 to 2018 then resurrected in 2023 to be played after Wimbledon, which did not yield ATP and WTA points.
- 1987 : Stefan Edberg
- 1988 : Mats Wilander
- 1989 : Ivan Lendl
- 1992 : Jim Courier
- 1993 : Jim Courier
- 1995 : Andre Agassi
- 1997 : Pete Sampras
- 2000 : Andre Agassi
- 2001 : Andre Agassi
- 2003 : Andre Agassi
- 2004 : Roger Federer
- 2007 : Roger Federer
- 2012 : Novak Djokovic
…15% since 2004
An assessment that can be divided into two parts. Until 2004 and the advent of the Big 3 marked by the coronation of Roger Federer, 10 of the 17 editions saw a champion without a match in the canes before his entry into the running; or 59%. Starting in 2004, this statistic fell to 15%; only 3 of the last 20 vintages have seen a winner slash the champagne under these same conditions. Largely because the master of the place, Novak Djokovic, 10 titles, rarely started his calendar with this big piece.
Since discovering the main draw of the “Happy Slam” – in 2005, for his Grand Slam debut – the Serbian has played it six times as the first event of his year. Four times since 2008 inclusive – when he triumphed over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to open his account in the Major -, in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2018. For a record of one coronation (2012) and three losses: two in the quarter finals (2010 and 2014), one in the round of 16 (2018).
“This is the strategy I used with Agassi” – Darren Cahill, coach of Jannik Sinner
Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner have therefore set themselves the objective of achieving an unprecedented performance since 2012. If the Spaniard has already taken part in an Australian Open without a preparation tournament, in 2022, the Russian and the Italian Never. But the latter can count on the advice of a coach who knows the subject, Darren Cahill. The Australian coached Andre Agassi from March 2002 until the end of “Dédé’s” career in 2006. Helping him win his eighth and final Grand Slam title: the 2003 Australian Open.
« With the Davis Cup (won by Italy)Jannik ended his season on November 26, Cahill recalled in an interview with Corriere della Serra end December. We didn’t want to make him play a tournament before going to Melbourne, to protect his mental freshness and his body. This is the strategy I used with Agassi during the five years I coached him. That leaves a lot more room to recover. And letting him ski, in moderation, is an integral part of the program for the boy’s well-being. Starting (2024) feeling refreshed is crucial. » With the aim, like his competitors, of being crowned on January 28. And to celebrate it right away, dressed up in your Sunday best.
2024-01-10 18:20:47
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