Tennis that counts and therefore the Australian Open start again from Novak Djokovic, who put behind him the bad thoughts in the time of Covid, can't wait to reaffirm his sovereignty over the world of the racket also for 2024 that has just begun. The Serb, who will be chasing the 25th Grand Slam of his career, can equal Margaret Smith Court's all-time record of 11 Australian Open wins.
Rivals, however, are not lacking. From Alcaraz to Medvedev, up to Jannik Sinner who for the first time will play a Major as the number 4 seed. The South Tyrolean leads the Italian team that also sees Matteo Berrettini in the ranks, on his official return to the circuit after a four-month stop due to injury, and immediately grappling with a prohibitive but one of the most interesting matches at the start of the tournament against the strong Greek no. 7 Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The one that starts on Sunday against Dino Prizmic will be the 19th Australian Open for Nole, but no one finds the time to ask him about the 18-year-old Croatian, the last junior winner of Roland Garros. After all, victory number 90 on the courts of Melbourne Park depends on his physical condition. "Compared to the United Cup, the pulse is good - reassures Djokovic - it is certainly a much minor physical problem compared to the one I suffered here in the past, both in '21 and last year. The biggest obstacle to overcome? First of all, it's me - assures the Serbian champion - Then, of course, there are the opponents, some with greater and others with less chances of making way. It's a 128 draw, it's a Slam. We all know what the Grand Slams are all about in tennis."
After the events of two years ago, the 36-year-old from Belgrade has had time to make peace with customs and Australian public opinion and also to reconcile with the city hosting the tournament. "I'm not superstitious," says Djokovic, "but when I'm here I like to visit some places to which my best and luckiest memories are linked. I don't know if it's the secret of my success, but I like to visit the botanical garden to reconnect with nature. Then, when I can, I take a walk on the beach or in the South Yarra neighborhood, which is less chaotic than the center, more relaxed. I like to isolate myself to find a balance with respect to the tensions and stress of the majors", As far as Italtennis is concerned, there are seven Italian tennis players admitted to the men's main draw of the Australian Open, two of which are seeded: Jannik Sinner and Lorenzo Musetti. The other players who will be at the start in Melbourne are Matteo Arnaldi, Lorenzo Sonego, Matteo Berrettini, Flavio Cobolli and Giulio Zeppieri. Among the women, on the other hand, at the start there will be Jasmine Paolini, Martina Trevisan, Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Camila Giorgi, Lucia Bronzetti and Sara Errani. For them, the first to cheer on was Tathiana Garbin, captain of the Italian women's national team, who is slowly resuming her activity at the Formia Technical Center after two operations for a rare form of tumor, pseudomyxoma peritoneum. "Giorgi has very high potential, she can beat anyone but Melbourne arrives with few games - assures Garbin - I am very happy with how Paolini expressed herself in the United Cup: I am sure that this will be a good year for her. Bronzetti has shown that he can play with the strong ones and that above all he does not suffer those who push. But a Grand Slam is always a Grand Slam and the first rounds are always complicated."
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