3 minute read
<i>Novak Djokovic needs just one more win at his favourite grand slam to be crowned the greatest ever, but there's a slew of challengers eager to stop him.</i>
HOW THE LEADING MEN'S CONTENDERS AND BEST AUSSIE HOPE SHAPE UP FOR THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN STARTING ON SUNDAY:
JANNIK SINNER (ITA)
Age: 23
Ranking: 1
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US37,238,688
Career titles: 18
Grand slam titles: 2 (Australian Open 2024; US Open 2024)
Australian Open win-loss record: 15-4
Best Australian Open result: champion 2024
The Italian has returned as a deserving favourite to retain the title he won so spectacularly last year by dethroning Melbourne Park king Novak Djokovic before embarking on an eight-title, two-slam, 63-match 2024 campaign.
ALEXANDER ZVEREV (GER)
Age: 27
Ranking: 2
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US50,548,001
Career titles: 23
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss record: 25-9
Best Australian Open results: semi-finalist 2020, 2024
It's incredible to think the one-time teenage prodigy and marketing dream would reach 27 without landing a grand slam crown. But that's how it is as the clock ticks for Germany's nearly man of tennis. Seeded to make the final.
CARLOS ALCARAZ (ESP)
Age: 21
Ranking: 3
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US37,854,976
Career titles: 16
Grand slam titles: 4 (French Open 2024; Wimbledon 2023, 2024; US Open 2022)
Australian Open win-loss record: 7-3
Best Australian Open result: quarter-finalist 2024
Forget about his form tailing off late in 2024. The Spanish sensation can be forgiven for feeling some fatigue after continuing his astonishing rise to prominence with the rare Roland Garros-Wimbledon double to sit an Australian Open triumph away from a career grand slam at just 21.
TAYLOR FRITZ (USA)
Age: 27
Ranking: 4
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US23,346,252
Career titles: 8
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss record: 14-8
Best Australian Open result: quarter-finals 2024
The American cracked the world's top four, leaving him seeded to make the semi-finals, after backing up his run to the US Open final with another charge to the title match at the ATP Finals.
DANIIL MEDVEDEV (RUS)
Age: 28
Ranking: 5
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US45,126,978
Career titles: 20
Grand slam titles: 1 (US Open 2021)
Australian Open win-loss record: 27-8
Best Australian Open results: runner-up 2021, 2022, 2024
The volatile Russian continues to produce his most supreme tennis on hard courts, as evidenced by three finals appearances in both Melbourne and New York. Will be desperate to atone for two crushing Open finals losses from two sets to love up.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC (SRB)
Age: 37
Ranking: 7
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US185,541,164
Career titles: 99
Grand slam titles: 24 (Australian Open 2008, 2011-2013, 2015-16, 2019-21, 2023; French Open 2016, 2021, 2023; Wimbledon 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022; US Open 2011, 2015, 2018, 2023)
Australian Open win-loss record: 94-9
Best Australian Open results: champion 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023
The super Serb is now the golden GOAT after completing the full set with Olympic glory to go with his career grand slam haul. An Open triumph would elevate him to greatest ever - man or woman - with an unprecedented 25 singles majors.
BEST OUTSIDER
ALEXEI POPYRIN (AUS)
Age: 25
Ranking: 25
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US6,759,943
Career titles: 3
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss record: 8-7
Best Australian Open results: third round 2019, 2020, 2023
The one-time grand slam junior champ has graduated to a men's major force, coming of age in 2024 with a Masters 1000 triumph and a seismic victory over Djokovic at the US Open. Aged, ranked and seeded 25, so maybe 2025 could be his year.
BEST AUSSIE HOPE
ALEX DE MINAUR
Age: 25
Ranking: 8
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US16,027,324
Career titles: 9
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss record: 14-7
Best Australian Open results: fourth round 2022, 2023, 2024
The speed Demon is seeded inside the top eight for the first time at a grand slam, raising hopes he could make a serious title run after notching up three consecutive grand slam quarter-final appearances, matching LLeyton Hewitt's feat from 20 years ago.