IT IS HARD to remember a more controversial lead-up to an Australian Open tennis tournament. However, if Nadal is to clinch his second Australian Open crown – and first since 2009 – the five-time finalist is going to have to fend off a hungry, exciting, new generation of players. After losing to Djokovic in last year’s final, Medvedev will have no shortage of motivation to go one better this year. Nipping at Medvedev’s heels is Germany’s Alexander Zverev — still searching for his first major win after four grand slam semi-final appearances and a runner-up at the U.S. Open in the past two years. And with the likes of two-time grand slam champions Garbiñe Muguruza and Simona Halep; recent French Open winners Barbora Krejčíková and Iga Świątek; No.

Source: The Guardian January 18, 2022 04:19 UTC