Regardless of Nadal’s reluctance to place an excessive amount of expectation on himself, his nice rival Novak Djokovic believes the Spaniard could be a risk on the Australian Open.
“I all the time count on him [Nadal] to play at his greatest, to be trustworthy,” stated Djokovic. “Many occasions they’ve signed him out, they’ve completed that with me as properly. However we’ve proved them unsuitable. He’s not the type of a participant that may come again to the tour simply to play on a medium stage, play a number of matches.
“He desires to win titles, he desires to be one of the best, that’s why he’s who he’s: a legend of our sport. I’m positive that his coaching and preparation is completed with an intention to win a grand slam.”
Meanwhile, Nick Kyrgios will miss the Australian Open for a second yr in a row as he continues to recuperate from damage.
Caroline Wozniacki has been awarded a wild card for the Australian Open. The Dane received her solely slam title at Melbourne Park in 2018 earlier than retiring on the similar venue two years later. The opposite preliminary wild playing cards for the event have gone to Australian trio Kimberly Birrell, Olivia Gadecki and Taylah Preston.
Former champions Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber are poised to make their Melbourne Park returns after time away from the tour to have kids.
When does the Australian Open begin?
The event begins on Sunday, Jan 14. It’s the first Sunday begin within the event’s historical past.
“We’ve listened to suggestions from the gamers and followers and are excited to ship an answer to minimise late finishes whereas persevering with to offer a good and equitable schedule on the stadium courts,” Australian Open Match Director Craig Tiley stated.
“The extra day will obtain this, benefiting scheduling for followers and gamers alike. The primary spherical will now be performed over three days as a substitute of two, additionally giving followers an additional day of unbelievable tennis, leisure, meals and household enjoyable.
“Yearly our workforce works exhausting to deliver followers an occasion that feels new and thrilling, and that is one other alternative to develop what’s already the most important annual sporting occasion on this planet in January.”
When do the Australian Open finals happen?
The ladies’s remaining is on Saturday, Jan 27. The lads’s remaining is on the next day (Jan 28).
watch the Australian Open on TV within the UK
Within the UK, Eurosport has the broadcasting rights to stay motion from Melbourne. To look at on discovery+, an Leisure & Sport cross is £6.99/month or £59.99/yr.
watch the Australian Open on TV within the US
ESPN has the broadcasting rights to indicate the event.
What’s the Australian Open prize cash?
This yr’s Australian Open whole prize cash is a file 13 per cent enhance on 2023. £46.3m will probably be shared by the sphere with the eventual winners taking house £1.68m.
“We’ve upped prize cash for each spherical on the Australian Open with the main will increase in qualifying and the early rounds of singles and doubles,” Tiley stated.
“We need to guarantee Australia stays the launchpad for the worldwide tennis season and the gamers and their groups have the whole lot they should assist them carry out at their greatest and proceed to benefit from the Blissful Slam.”