Australian Open: With Djokovic out, who are 5 men’s players to watch out for

Australian Open 2022 has begun on Monday at
Melbourne Park, Melbourne. The Australian Open has already been in the
limelight due to the tussle between defending champion Novak Djokovic and the
Australian government. Now as Djokovic has been deported to Serbia due to his failure to produce a valid vaccination certificate upon arrival in Melbourne, Australia Open
may get a new champion this year. Rafael Nadal, who won the Australian Open in 2009, is
the only one in the draw with a title.

Also Read: Australian Open 2022: Novak Djokovic out, mixed reactions pour in

As the year’s first Grand Slam tournament
begins on Monday, Opoyi picks five possible contenders for the men’s singles title.

Daniil Medvedev

Daniil Medvedev, the second seed and world’s No. 2
men’s player, has now emerged as the new favourite to be crowned the champion
at Melbourne Park on 30 January. Medvedev is the bookies’ favourite to win the
tournament.

Also Read: Australia Open 2022: All you need to know about COVID-19 protocols

The Russian burst onto the scene late
in 2019 when he reached the final of the US Open, losing a heartbreaking
five-set thriller to Rafael Nadal. Last year he made his first Australian Open
final appearance but once again came up short against Djokovic,
who after the match declared “it’s only a matter of time” before
Medvedev goes all the way.

Recently Medvedev suffered a shock defeat
in his opening match of the season against France’s Ugo Humbert Sunday at the
ATP Cup, upsetting his preparations for the Australian Open. But in Djokovic’s
absence, he is being considered the favourite for this year’s Australian Open
title.

Also Read: After being deported from Australia, Novak Djokovic lands in Dubai

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal began his hunt for the 21st
Grand Slam in style with a victory over American Marcos Giron. He won his only
Australian Open title in 2009 and in Djokovic’s absence he is one of the
strongest contenders for the year’s first Grand Slam.

Also Read: Australian Open 2022: Rafael Nadal beats Marcos Giron, advances to 2nd round

Nadal is the only one among the “Big 3” who
is playing in the Australian Open, and Nadal is the only Australian Open
champion left in the draw. While Djokovic’s Australian visa has been cancelled,
Roger Federer decided not to play in the tournament.

Still, Nadal will face tough competition from
either Medvedev or Alexander Zverev.

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Alexander Zverev

The 2020 US Open runner-up, Alexander Zverev played
three Grand Slam semifinals in the last two seasons. Zverev must have felt the
heat when the likes of Medvedev and Dominic Thiem pipped him to taste their
maiden Grand Slam successes. The 23-year-old German has long been touted as a
future star but has often failed to overcome weaknesses in his game in the
past.

Also Read: Alexander Zverev dominates Daniil Medvedev to claim ATP Finals trophy

However, he has been a consistent performer
on the ATP Tour with titles in galore (59 wins and six titles) and convincingly
claimed Tokyo Olympic gold while draining out unstoppable Djokovic in the
semis. Now, with Djokovic out, 24-year-old is one of the favourites for the
Australia Open men’s title.

Stefanos Tsitsipas

World No. 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas is in pursuit of his
maiden Grand Slam title. He played two semifinals – 2019 and 2021- at the
Australian Open. This time around he would look to better his
performance at Melbourne Park.

Also Read: Frances Tiafoe knocks out Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first round at Wimbledon

The Greek will begin his campaign on Monday
against young Swede Mikael Ymer. He had an impressive 2021 during which
he won his first Masters 1000 title in Monte Carlo. He also reached his maiden
Grand Slam final at Roland Garros, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in five
sets.

Matteo Berrettini

World No. 7 Berrettini proved his worth
with a semi-final outing at the US Open couple of years ago. Despite lacking
success on the ATP Tour, the 25-year-old burly Italian is being touted as a
giant killer and can upset renowned stars at Melbourne Park.  

Also Read: In pics: Novak Djokovic to Ashleigh Barty, the glory winners at Wimbledon 2021

Saying that he is just an outside contender
for the title as the Australian Open is where his defensive game’s shortcomings
have often been exposed despite the fact that the fastest surface of all the
Majors should assist his quick serves.