Australian international a first high -suspense Grand Salm tournament

Les déboires de Novak Djokovic, la victoire du Canada à la Coupe ATP, le retour victorieux de Rafael Nadal, les nouvelles commandites de Leylah… La nouvelle saison n’a que deux semaines, et déjà, on ne sait plus où donner de la tête. Toute la planète tennis a les yeux rivés sur l’Océanie. Il est difficile de prévoir ce qui arrivera lors des Internationaux d’Australie, mais ce qui est certain, c’est que l’édition 2022 entrera dans les livres d’histoire, d’une manière ou d’une autre.

A chance to shine for Canadians

Will it be the year of Canadians in Australia?Félix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov and Leylah Annie Fernandez feel in attack, and there is something to be optimistic.

Leylah Annie Fernandez

Among the ladies, all hopes are based on the young Leylah Annie Fernandez, who struck a wall named Iga świątek during the first tournament of the season in Adelaide.However, recent history will have taught us never to count the Quebecer to defeat.Finalist with the most recent internationals in the United States, the 19-year-old is capable of everything.

Fernandez will however have to negotiate with two new factors when arriving in Melbourne.

On the one hand, expectations. Maintenant qu’elle est postée au 24^e rang mondial, ce premier tournoi majeur de la saison sera l’occasion de montrer à tous que son épopée à New York en septembre dernier n’était pas due au hasard ou à la chance, mais bien au fait qu’elle est l’une des joueuses de tennis les plus prometteuses et talentueuses au monde.However, in each tournament in which she participated since the start of her professional career, she had the role of neglected.If she won and advanced in a painting, we were talking about "nice surprise".On the other hand, with what she achieved at Flushing Meadows, she will now be a remarkable player.She will be scrutinized with a magnifying glass.There will be expectations.Thing that was not the case before.You will have to be careful, patients, but above all understanding with Fernandez.

On the other hand, it will be her first tournament since she announced her new partnership with the Canadian company Lululemon.His first real major sponsor.This is why the first impression must be successful.Fernandez knows it, and Lululemon knows it.As a new brand ambassador, Fernandez will be on all tables and in all advertisements of the Vancouvéroise clothing brand.This new understanding has caused a stir and the two parties expect the marriage to work in the field and in the eye of the public.Difficult to talk about pressure in this case, but from now on, Fernandez must win not only for her and for her entourage, but also for the company that has invested in her.

Fernandez benefited from an interesting draw and will face the Australian Maddison Inglis in the first round. Si elle parvient à battre la 139^e joueuse mondiale, la Québécoise pourrait de nouveau rencontrer Angelique Kerber (16^e) au troisième tour, quelques mois après leur affrontement à New York.In the fourth round, she could have an appointment with the second seeded, Aryna Sabalenka, another possible reunion.

Félix Auger-Aliassime

Among men, Félix Auger-Aliassime still seems to be on its momentum from last season, which ended in a first presence in the semi-finals of a Grand Slam, to the internationals of the United States.More recently, he helped Canada win his first title at the ATP Cup, not beating in passing other than Alexander Zverev, third world player.This team tournament also served as a preparation for the Quebecer, probably the best he could have had before participating in the first big home of the season.

Indeed, by being the best classified Canadian, Auger-Aliassime faced each match in simple game the best player in the opposing nation. C’est donc dire qu’en huit jours, il a affronté l’Américain Taylor Fritz, 22^e mondial, le Britannique Cameron Norrie, 12^e mondial, l’Allemand Alexander Zverev, le Russe Daniil Medvedev, 2^e mondial, et l’Espagnol Roberto Bautista Agut, 17^e mondial.The 21 -year -old athlete has only faced members of the Top 20 since the start of the season and he got away with a respectable three -wins file and two defeats.It would have been difficult to be better established before the evening of the great first.

Auger-Aliassime est actuellement au 9^e rang du classement et doit nécessairement être pressenti parmi les aspirants au titre.Obviously, he still has aspects of his game to work, like his second service, but it will be gradually.He has enough tools on hand to succeed in navigating very far during the Australian tournament.

Auger-Aliassime will meet the iron with Emil Ruusuvuori in the first round.The two players never clashed. Le Québécois pourrait jouer contre Daniel Evans (24^e) au troisième tour, Andrey Rublev (5^e) au quatrième tour et Daniil Medvedev (2^e) en quarts de finale.

Denis Shapovalov

Denis Shapovalov also has the wind in the sails.He was able to recover from his horrible end of the season and to play very well at the ATP Cup.It is still too early to say that Shapovalov is back, but he is obviously on the right path.

During the first tournament of the season, he lost the start of the game against Daniel Evans, but he recovered well. Il a pris la mesure de Jan-Lennard Struff, qui est difficile à affronter, de Roman Safiullin, qui est un joueur sous-estimé et qui a été blessé plus souvent qu’à son tour, et de Pablo Carreño Busta, 21^e joueur mondial.

Shapovalov managed to manage and temper in the few games he has played.This is what had harmed him last year.The player who is the most likely to beat Shapovalov is Shapovalov.Something broke in him when he lost in the semi-finals in front of Novak Djokovic in July in Wimbledon.He was traumatized by this match which could have turned in his favor for more than one recovery, but which he let go.Followed eight difficult tournaments, but he was able to take over from him in Stockholm, a tournament he particularly loves, in November.

Something happened in 2022 and it must be to admit that with the sample we have had since the start of the season, the Canadian could be dangerous to the Australian internationals.His game at the background is constant, he found his passion and his power and his game in the net improved greatly, probably playing a lot of double matches recently.If he can serve as he can and be just offensive enough by avoiding too many direct faults, Shapovalov could amaze us in Melbourne.Hoping only that his demons last summer will not come to haunt him.Shapovalov's best result in Australia is a defeat in the third round, in 2019 and 2021.

Shapovalov affrontera Laslo Djere, 52^e joueur mondial, au premier tour.The Canadian won the only confrontation between the two, last year. Shapovalov pourrait retrouver sur son passage Reilly Opelka (30^e) au troisième tour et Alexander Zverev (3^e) au quatrième tour.

Rebecca Marino

With the recent successes of Leylah Annie Fernandez, we almost forgot how much Rebecca Marino had charmed all Quebec, last summer, with her unexpected background at the Omnium Banque Nationale.She had beaten Madison Keys and Paula Badosa, before bowing in front of Aryna Sabalenka in the round of 16.Marino has experienced his share of trouble in recent years and it feels good to see her back and perform.Before last year, his last participation in a Grand Chelem tournament dates back to 2013.

At 31, Marino has nothing to prove to anyone except for herself.Be from the main draw of the first major tournament of the season says a lot.

La 146^e joueuse au monde a été excellente dans les rondes de qualifications en ne perdant qu’une seule manche en trois matchs.La Torontoise has all its chances in front of its opponent in the first round. Marie Bouzková, 80^e mondiale, la Tchèque n’a jamais passé le deuxième tour d’un tournoi majeur.If she wins, Marino could face Angelique Kerber in the second round, and who knows, Leylah in the third round ...

Finally the coronation of a Aussie?

It was in 1978 that an Australian won the Australian internationals for the last time.It was Chris O’Neil.

In 1978, René Lévesque was the Prime Minister of Quebec, Ken Dryden was the best guardian in the NHL and the Bee Gees tried at the top of the prize list thanks to the soundtrack of the film Saturday Night Fever.Since then, no aussie, nickname attributed to the Australians, has won the great honors.

Ashleigh Barty may well be the one that will end this ugly sequence that is starting to weigh on Australian tennis.She will still be the headliner of the tournament this year, especially since she arrives in full possession of her means and ready to write history.

Barty is undoubtedly the best player in the world.It has been world number one since September 9, 2019.She won the Roland-Garros tournament in 2019, as well as Wimbledon in 2021.It ended the year 2021 with a 42-8 file, five single titles and a double title.

2022 does not seem to want to stop her because she won the first tournament in which she participated, in Adélaïde, by losing only one round, the first of her first match, in the decisive game.

It is difficult to see who could block Barty's path.Sabalenka?Muguruza?Osaka?The Australian is the most constant player on the circuit for more than two years and no one can take her measurement.She is so strong, so tenacious, so precise, practically no one can beat her since she was at the top.Its service is effective, its forehand is powerful, its reverse is precise, its leg play is remarkable and its arsenal of blows is destabilizing.

Even if she has not yet won them, it is to the Australian internationals that the 25 -year -old athlete is most successful in a major tournament.She reached the quarter-finals in 2021 and 2019, as well as the semi-final in 2020.This year could be the right one, and with everything that Australian tennis has experienced for a few days due to the "Djokovic affair", a historical performance of Barty at home could come to put a nice balm on this beginning ofYear in Australia.

Un 21^e titre dans la controverse ?

Barely a few weeks ago, the majority of tennis lovers would have anticipated, and even desired, a historic triumph of Novak Djokovic in Australia. Un 21^e titre en tournoi du Grand Chelem, plus que quiconque dans l’histoire. Un 10^e titre aux Internationaux d’Australie, le plus grand champion du tournoi.Novak at its peak.After a 2021 season when he dominated and at the dawn of a year 2022 when all the hopes were allowed, everything went into a spin for the Serbian.

Friday, the Minister of Immigration of Australia, Alex Hawke, canceled the Djokovic visa, thus preventing him from participating in the tournament.In his press release, Hawke explained that it was the logical solution and that it was in the interest of the public.

So much so that Rafael Nadal will be the only member of the Big Three to be able to go into legend as the biggest champion in the Grand Chelem tournament, because he too has 20 titles in a major tournament, like Djoko and Roger Federer.

Nadal's case was doubtful at the end of the year.He had withdrawn from the omnium national bank in August for a left foot injury.He received treatments.He was held away from the field.He returned in December during a friendly tournament in Abu Dhabi and contracted COVVI-19.We didn't even know if he was going to be able to play the first tournaments of the season.Everyone was in doubt.

On the other hand, Nadal surprised the Planet Tennis by announcing, the day before the day of the New Year's Day that he had arrived in Australia to play the first Grand Chelem tournament of the season.He also made the decision to participate in the Melbourne tournament, to find his bearings.He finally won the tournament.

A completely unpredictable and abraceabrant start to the season for Spanish.He must at all costs be considered among the contenders for the title.He won the tournament in 2009 and lost four finals since. Sauf qu’avec un début de saison victorieux et un corps qui tient le coup, le toréador sera extrêmement dangereux, surtout si le 21^e titre en Grand Chelem lui pend au bout du nez.

However, if he were to win the tournament, his detractors will have a long time for having broken the last record, without Djokovic having had the chance to defend himself and to participate in the tournament in which he would have been the big favorite.Some might speak of an illegitimate victory.In the meantime, Nadal is certainly a serious aspiring to win the great honors in Melbourne.

Ten rackets to follow

Major tournaments have often been the scene of great triumphs.Some predictable and others rather surprising.The main draw of the Australian internationals is full of talents and the craze around the first Grand Slam tournament of the season often lies in the fact that anything can happen.Several players can stand out and the list of contenders for the title lengthens each year with young talents who emerge.

Men

Daniil Medvedev

The worthy successor of Novak Djokovic at the top of the world ranking.Some will say that he is the best player on the planet, before the Djoker.It is discussed and it defends itself very well.The Russian has no weakness and he is the defending champion of the United States internationals.He could experience a historic season and it could well start in Australia.

Alexander Zverev

Alexander Zverev had a fantastic 2021 season. L’Allemand a remporté six titres, un sommet chez les joueurs de l’ATP, il a remporté l’or olympique et il est passé du 7^e au 3^e rang mondial.The 24 -year -old already has 19 career titles, but none in the Grand Chelem tournament.Zverev is gaining power and insurance and it could be dangerous for players who will find themselves in its path in Australia.

Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner is not yet recognized at its true value, but the Italian has the potential of a future world number one.The 20 -year -old is extremely versatile and already manages his games like a veteran. Il a commencé la dernière saison au 37^e rang et l’a terminée dans le top 10.He played a lot in 2021 and his fighting spirit could serve him for this first Grand Chelem tournament.

Carlos Alcaraz

Carlos Alcaraz is the new feeling in the world of tennis. À 18 ans seulement, et sans avoir remporté de tournoi d’envergure, il occupe déjà le 33^e rang mondial.It was he who won the most recent Next Gen tournament, reserved for ATP succession.Even if it is easy to compare the Spaniard to his compatriot Rafael Nadal because of his power, it was rather Roger Federer who inspired Alcaraz ...

Aslan Karatsev

A year ago, almost no one knew Aslan Karatsev. Il avait 27 ans et était 122^e mondial.This did not prevent him from going to the semi-finals of the Australian internationals.It was the beginning of a nerve year for Russian, which won two single titles, a double title and the silver medal in mixed double at the Olympic Games. Le 20^e joueur mondial aura beaucoup de points à défendre au cours des prochains jours.

Women

Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka has shopped as many admirers as detractors since her triumph to the Australian internationals a year ago.His speaking for civil rights has been greeted and encouraged.Except that its field and outside requirements have displeased several.Especially since the quality of his game has visibly suffered from it.Nevertheless, the 24 -year -old Japanese woman is still one of the best players and she knows how to win a major tournament.

Simona Halep

Perhaps you had forgotten it, since she was more discreet in 2021, but Simona Halep is attacking to compete in the Australian internationals. La Roumaine occupe le 15^e rang mondial et a remporté le premier tournoi auquel elle a participé en 2022.A first title since September 2020 for the 30 -year -old.Always so tough and stubborn, she will represent a challenge for her opponents.Halep has already won two Grand Chelem tournaments, in addition to having made the final in Melbourne in 2018.

Sofia Kenin

The American Sofia Kenin has dismissed radars last season. En 2020, elle était parvenue à atteindre le 4^erang mondial et à titiller une place dans le top 3.Health troubles have slowed her down.Kenin has played her first tournament since Wimbledon last week in Adélaïde, where she bowed in the quarterfinals.The 2020 edition champion seems to have found her bearings and could return to the top 5 faster than you might think.

Garbiñe Muguruza

Garbiñe Muguruza could have won the title of player of the year last season. La grande Espagnole est revenue au sommet de son art en passant de la 15^e à la 3^e place du classement mondial.The greatest strength of the 28 -year -old athlete is to raise his game of a notch in the important moments, and it is a safe bet that the double champion in Grand Slam will do what is necessary to go far in Australia.

Paula Badosa

Spanish was one of the great WTA revelations last year.At only 24 years old, she is already perceived as one of the major champions in the making of the circuit. Postée au 9^e rang mondial alors qu’elle était 70^e à pareille date l’an dernier, Paula Badosa a énormément de munitions dans son jeu et elle adore jouer sous pression.The future star in the world of tennis will be followed at the start of the season.

The tournament in figures

50 %

The government of Victoria, a state in which Melbourne is located, announced that the capacity of matches that have not yet been put up for sale will not exceed 50 %.This new rule does not apply to tickets already sold and to the matches already scheduled for the schedule, except that the games of the upcoming towers will have a limited number of spectators.

2005

The last time no member of the Big Three composed of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic took part in the Australian Australian final.Marat Safin beat Lleyton Hewitt in the final.

$ 2,875,000

Scholarship that will receive the champion and champion of the 2022 edition of the Australian internationals.The finalists will receive $ 1,575,000.

17

Number of times the tournament has been won two consecutive years by the same player.The last to have succeeded in the feat is Victoria Azarenka, in 2012 and 2013.Naomi Osaka could succeed this year, she who is the defending champion.

63

Cette édition des Internationaux d’Australie sera la 63^e disputée à Melbourne depuis 1905.The tournament has also been held 17 times in Sydney, 14 times in Adélaïde, 8 times in Brisbane, 3 times in Perth and even 2 times in New Zealand.