2023 Australian Open Preview
The Australian sporting calendar is jam-packed, and kicking it off in the depths of January is the Australian Open. The one time of the year where everyone becomes tennis fanatics and experts. The 2023 Australian Open is full of intrigue and fascination across both the Men’s and Women’s tournaments. Novak is back and will be seeking redemption, and if his form in Adelaide is anything to go by then watch out. Meanwhile, the women’s tournament appears much more open with the opportunity to potentially jag one at a price.
Men
Men’s tennis in the last 20 years has been entirely dominated by three familiar names; Federer, Nadal and Djokovic. Their consistency has been undeniable; however, with one retired and the others in the twilights of their careers, can the emergence of some exciting young stars shake things up a bit?
Based on 2022 results and his dominance of this tournament over the years, Novak Djokovic is definitely the one to beat, and the market agrees. He has won eight of the last twelve and is an excellent chance to add another to the list. With 21 wins in a row and an 82-8 record overall, he is the one to beat.
Two-time runner-up Daniil Medvedev is one who can absolutely go one better. He is proven Down Under, and with his court coverage, stamina, first-serve percentages and devastating back-hand, Medvedev could prove Djokovic’s biggest threat.
Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas loves the hard court and tends to play his best tennis when in Australia. He has won 33 matches in the Australian and French Open combined and has made runs into the semi-finals three of the last four years. Yet to win a Grand Slam, can he make the best possible start to kick off his 2023 season?
Outside of the obvious ones, Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner are two young guns that could be set for a Grand Slam breakthrough this year, and Nick Kyrgios could be another one to keep a closer eye on this time around. The Aussie reached the Wimbledon final last year and looks set to play a big part in his home Grand Slam after winning the doubles title 12 months ago.
Tip: Daniil Medvedev
Considering his dominance, Novak’s price is justified but is still too short for me. Have a saver there but the value lies with Medvedev to go one better.
Women
Women’s Grand Slams have been notoriously difficult to predict, and this wide-open affair is no different. Despite that, all the talk is around World Number 1 Iga Swiatek, who finished 2022 with two Grand Slam wins and the best winning streak of this century (37 unbeaten). She currently heads the market at the $3 quote, a highly attractive price for a woman in career-best form.
Fresh off her Adelaide International win, 24-year-old Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka is primed to win her first Grand Slam this year. Another year older and with another year of experience under the belt, she could be the one to cause Swiatek the most problems. Her best form is well and truly good enough.
Tunisian star Ons Jabeur is one of the most talented stars on the tour and has the Grand Slam final experience. Like Sabalenka, she is yet to win a major, but this could be her year. At a price, she could be worth considering.
Other likely chances include Jessica Pegula, Caroline Garcia and Veronika Kudermetova at a really nice price considering her credentials.
Tip: Iga Swiatek
We’re expecting the Pole’s stellar 2022 form to continue here and think she’ll be hard to beat. She’s the play, with a small wager on Sabalenka.
