Australian Open 2024: Djokovic looks for another Grand Slam, Nadal out as tourney nears

The Australian Open, one of the biggest tennis events of the year, will begin on January 14. Novak Djokovic, one of the most successful players in the tournament's history, is aiming to win his 11th Australian Open title. Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the Grand Slam event due to an injury.

Djokovic will be fighting for his record-breaking 25th major but has been honest about a wrist injury that has been bothering him. Despite the tough competition, Djokovic is the favorite to win the title to add to his total grand slam titles.

Rafael Nadal has been forced to withdraw from the upcoming Australian Open due to a hip injury. The Spaniard had been recovering from hip surgery and underwent medical tests leading up to the Grand Slam, which revealed a hip muscle tear in the same hip that he had surgery on. As a result, the 22-time major champion decided to skip the major and return to Spain to address the injury.

.oembed-frame {width:100%;height:100%;margin:0;border:0;}

Nadal injured his left hip in the 2023 Australian Open second-round loss against Mackenzie McDonald, ending his bid for his 23rd Grand Slam trophy and, which resulted the end of the rest of his season. Nadal had surgery in June and attempted what has been a year-long comeback at the 2024 Brisbane International. Nadal lost in the Brisbane International quarterfinal match to No. 55-ranked Jordan Thompson 5-7,7-6(6), 6-3.

Players to watch at the 2024 Australian Open

Iga Swiatek

Iga Swiatek is entering the 2024 Australian Open as the top seed and is currently ranked World No. 1 in the WTA. She has remained undefeated in singles since September 2023. Swiatek is determined to win another Grand Slam trophy after a remarkable 2023 season where she emerged victorious in the French Open and the US Open. With a record of 68-15 in Grand Slam play, she is a clear favorite in Melbourne.

Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz is expected to be a tough opponent for Novak Djokovic at the upcoming in Melbourne. Alcaraz is aiming to regain the World No. 1 ranking and he sees this tournament as an opportunity to do so by winning the trophy. In their last match at the Nitto ATP Finals in November, Djokovic defeated Alcaraz in the semifinals with a score of 6-3, 6-2.

Coco Gauff

Coco Gauff, an American tennis player, has started 2024 with a bang by winning the Auckland Classic title. She defeated Eline Svitolina in the final with a score of 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-3. This victory comes after her impressive performance in the 2023 season, where she won the Washington Open, the Cincinnati Masters, and the US Open. Gauff is expected to continue her excellent form and perform well in the upcoming Melbourne tournament.

.oembed-frame {width:100%;height:100%;margin:0;border:0;}

Daniil Medvedev

World No. 3 Daniil Medvedev will be in his element on hard courts at the Australian Open and will be looking to start his 2024 season on a good note. Medvedev finished the 2023 season on a high note with 66 wins, more than any player on the ATP Tour. Medvedev is due to raise the trophy in Melbourne after reaching the finals in 2021 and 2022 but lost to Djokovic and Nadal, respectively. Medvedev will be hoping that third time is a charm and will be looking to come in on top and not second best this year.

.oembed-frame {width:100%;height:100%;margin:0;border:0;}

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Australian Open 2024: Djokovic and more players to watch in Melbourne