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he quest for the document books begins once more in Australia, albeit later than anticipated in February on account of the coronavirus pandemic.
And most likely, the 12 months will start with Novak Djokovic successful the 18th Grand Slam title which he ought to – his petulance apart – have achieved at this 12 months’s US Open.
That would go away him two shy of each Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and the truth that he has received seven of the previous 10 editions of the match mark the world No1 out because the overwhelming favorite for victory in Melbourne, particularly with harm ruling the Swiss out.
The 2 main caveats to which are Nadal and Dominic Thiem. Nadal ended final season trying recent and with out harm, which can’t usually be stated concerning the Spaniard on the finish of a punishing marketing campaign, whereas Thiem has the idea he can topple any of the massive three on laborious courts now in addition to the clay.
The US Open champion knocked out Nadal within the quarter-finals of final 12 months’s Australian Open and pushed Djokovic to 5 units within the remaining.
Plus, he ended the 12 months as the shape participant together with Daniil Medvedev, shedding the ATP Finals to the Russian in a decent remaining.
However too usually these finals – performed out in London for the final time in November – have acted as a false daybreak, its latest winners – Andy Murray, Grigor Dimitrov, Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas – all combating health, type or consistency within the subsequent 12 months.
However Medvedev and Thiem seem genuinely unfazed by the variety of Grand Slam titles within the again pocket of their opponent. May 2021 be the 12 months when the triumvirate is lastly toppled?
Of that massive three, Federer is essentially the most uncertain of including to his tally of 20. He hinted even a delayed Australian Open would possibly come too quickly for his knee after double surgical procedure, and even dared to confess that approaching his fortieth birthday the tip may need come. And but if he can get match for Australia, he’s all the time a risk there.
As for the opposite Grand Slams, if match it’s laborious to look a lot past Nadal on the French Open, Thiem the one participant with a sensible probability of beating him on the clay of Roland Garros.
After which comes each Wimbledon and the US Open, doubtlessly ripe for Djokovic to search out himself on 20 Grand Slams on the season finish, or else an opportunity for Medvedev, Thiem or one of many different members of their era to take action.
Subsequent 12 months additionally begs the query of Andy Murray. His win over Dan Evans on the Battle of Brits earlier this month confirmed he’s getting there – however will his hip ever permit him the back-to-back 5 setters required of a Grand Slam?
Serena Williams, like Federer 40 in 2021, stays on her personal quest for the document books on 23 Grand Slams and one behind Margaret Court docket.
Nevertheless it was the beginning of 2017 when pregnant along with her daughter that she final received a Grand Slam. 4 finals have been and gone since and final 12 months she solely as soon as made it previous the third spherical of a Slam, with a run to the US Open semi-final.
Ash Barty begins the 12 months as world No1 having been absent for a lot of 2020 due to the pandemic, with Simona Halep simply again in second after she made a delayed return to the tour. Naomi Osaka is amongst these able to battling for the world No1 spot after ending her 12 months by successful the US Open.
And on the British entrance, Johanna Konta will hope to recapture her earlier heights after reuniting with former coach Dimitri Zavialoff.
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