The Tamesis
The so-called Happy Slam is the first Grand Slam of the year, and although some warm-up matches have already been held in Australia, it marks the real start of the season for most tennis viewers. Yesterday, the tournament held its first-ever opening ceremony of sorts, with six-time champion Roger Federer joining Andre Agassi against local heroes Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt.
But today, the tournament officially begins, and everyone is talking about the same question: How will Carlos Alcaraz cope after severing ties with his long-time coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, who has been with him throughout his climb to the top of tennis? If Carlitos wins here, he will become the youngest player in the Open era to complete the rare career Grand Slam (win all majors). Of course, anything can happen in a two-week major, but a draw seems to be in his favour. His main obstacles appear to be perennial dark horse Alexander Bublik and perennial rising star Alex De Minaur.
Photo: etty pictures
However, defending champion Jannik Sinner may have something to say about it and has his own straightforward approach to the draw, with potential obstacles including everyone’s favorite talent, Brazilian Joao Fonseca (who made it to the last 32) and American Ben Shelton (who made it to the quarterfinals).
As always, Novak Djokovic enters the tournament as an elusive and unpredictable disruptor: capable of beating anyone on a good day; capable of being upset by a crafty upstart on a bad day.
First-round matches to watch: Gregor Dmitrov vs. Tomas Machac, who has been outstanding recently; Matteo Berrettini vs. De Minaur; Alexander Zverev needs to watch out for an upset by Canadian Gabriel Diallo.
On the women’s side, as has been the case at many recent Grand Slams, the match will go to world number one Aryna Sabalenka. She narrowly missed out on the title in a heartbreaking match against Madison Keys last year, but a draw could work in her favor this time around if she can get past the likes of Jasmine Paolini and Marta Kostyuk, who has also been in good form of late.
Part of the Coco Gauff draw is a potential quarterfinal that tennis watchers are praying for: Coco vs. Mirra Andreeva. Both seem to have a smooth route to get there, and while it’s a bit of a stretch to say that this potential quarterfinal outcome points not just to a final here but to the future of women’s tennis, it’s also true. (The other top-10 Americans — Amanda Anisimova, Madison Keys and Jessie Pegula — are all squeezed into the same quarter draw, so let’s see who emerges from this one with the least road wear.)
