Djokovic set for eagerly anticipated Australian Open return. Ons Jabeur, the second-ranked woman in the world, will begin her title defense on Tuesday as Novak Djokovic makes his widely awaited comeback to the Australian Open.
One of the greatest male tennis players of all time, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, was deported on the eve of the Grand Slam at Melbourne Park last year due to his views on Covid vaccinations.
However, the 35-year-old will be in action when he takes on Spanish opponent Roberto Carballes Baena in his first round and is expected to receive a rousing ovation from the Rod Laver Arena fans.
In order to tie current winner Rafael Nadal’s record of 22 Grand Slam victories for men, he must win the Australian Open for a record-extending 10th time.
Despite being the overwhelming favorite for the opening Grand Slam of the year, Djokovic has been hampered by a minor hamstring issue since winning a practice match in Adelaide last week.
He was seen on Monday working out with significant strapping around his left thigh.
“I enjoy taking chances. In an effort to allay worries about his hamstring, Djokovic stated before his opening match that he trains as hard as really anyone else out there.
“There are many young people nowadays who are really competitive and want to win. You are the target of their attack in the huge stadium. I am aware of that.
“However, I believe that experience of being in these kinds of unique scenarios aids in having the appropriate approach and carrying out tasks in a suitable manner.”
Andy Murray, a three-time Grand Slam winner and former world number one, will try to turn back the clock.
On day two at Melbourne Park, the 35-year-old British player plays Italian 13th seed Matteo Berrettini in an exciting contest.
Additionally competing are Alexander Zverev, the 12th seed, fifth seed Andrey Rublev, and second seed Casper Ruud of Norway.
Dominic Thiem, a semifinalist at the 2020 Australian Open, will face Russia’s Rublev.
Holger Rune, a talented young man from Denmark who is the ninth seed, is also featured.
There were no significant surprises on the opening day as Nadal easily defeated the talented British player Jack Draper in four sets to begin the defense of his title.
The performance on Monday started under chilly, gloomy skies, but as the day wore on, the temperature climbed and is now forecast to soar to a scorching 36 Celsius (97 Fahrenheit) on Tuesday.
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, the fifth-seeded woman, will play Tereza Martincova of the Czech Republic in the tournament’s opening match on the main Rod Laver Arena.
The 2020 Melbourne finalist and two-time major winner from Spain, Garbine Muguruza, will square up against Belgian Elise Mertens, the 26th seed, on the neighboring Margaret Court Arena in a thrilling match.
Last year’s Wimbledon and US Open runners-up, Tunisia’s Jabeur, begins her quest for a historic first Grand Slam with a test against Slovenia’s Tamara Zidansek.
Other women’s seeds competing on Tuesday include Caroline Garcia of France and Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, the reigning Olympic champion who only three days ago won the Adelaide warm-up event to reclaim a spot in the top 10.
The ninth-seeded Veronika Kudermetova and eighth-seeded Daria Kasatkina of Russia also start their careers.
On Rod Laver Arena, Djokovic will play the final match of the day against Carballes Baena, who is rated 75.
