Novak Djokovic favourite in what promises to be an incredible 2021 Australian Open
Eight time champion Novak Djokovic will start an overwhelming favourite to win the Australian Open in an event he has dominated for over a decade.
At last years Australian Open final Novak beat 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem in a thrilling encounter 6–4, 4–6, 2–6, 6–3, 6–4. The last 2 sets a testament to the sheer willpower of Novak Djokovic that time and time again a champion finds a way to win.
To observe the challengers for Novak's throne in Melbourne you only have to look at a cracking 2020 season ending Nitto ATP Finals in London. Daniil Medvedev captured the trophy with an unbeaten 5-0 record, however Daniil is yet to prove himself at grand slam level. Unlike US Open champion Dominic Thiem and 20 grand slam singles title winner Rafael Nadal. Nadal who is the king of clay at Roland Garros has found the going in Australia a lot tougher with his only title defeating Roger Federer in a memorable 2009 final.
Australian challengers for the title will come from Alex de Minaur, Nick Kyrgios, John Millman and Jordan Thompson. Alex de Minaur looks the most likely to step up to the challenge, he made his Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open in 2017 and enjoyed his first grand slam quarter-final at the 2020 US Open. Nick Kyrgios in the right frame of mind is capable of a deep run despite not playing competitive tennis since February last year.
The greatest factor in the lead up to this years Australian Open is no doubt been the coronavirus and the players getting varying levels of practise before the start of the tournament. On a positive note 390,000 fans will attend over the course of the event an incredible result given what has occured over the world in the last 12 months.
Lastly Novak Djokovic looks hungry for more grand slam titles and with his sheer willpower his ninth Australian Open title looks inevitable.