Djokovic Powers Up Before 2023 Australian Open
Last Week In Tennis.
Let’s review what took place as the tennis world prepares for the first Major of the season, the Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic Wins 92nd Title of His Career
Picking up right where he left off at the end of the year, Djokovic continues to make his case as the best male player in the world at the moment. Djokovic beat Shapovalov, Medvedev and Korda in close matches to win the title in Southern Australia, a nice test of level before the big event.
Heading into the Australian Open it seems like Novak is the obvious favourite, especially with World #1 Carlos Alcaraz’s shocking announcement that he will miss the 1st Major of the year with a leg injury he picked up in training.
While there are a host of players who will feel like they should be considered legitimate challengers to Djokovic’s AO title quest, few have the history at the tournament to prove that they have a real shot!
Rafa Nadal is the defending champ, but has a lot to prove as far as the level he can bring after a poor end to 2022, and a 0-2 start to 2023 with losses to Norrie and de Minaur in the United Cup.
The United States Win First Ever United Cup
The successor to the Hopman Cup brought together the best male and female players from the competing countries to face off in a team format once again.
The US had a strong team with Fritz and Tiafoe as the top men, and Pegula and Keys as the Women. They blanked Italy 4-0 in the final played in Sydney.
Carlos Alcaraz To Miss Australian Open
In a depressing turn of events, world #1 Carlos Alcaraz announced that he will have to miss the Australian Open, his first major as #1, after he hurt his leg "through a chance, unnatural movement in training."
Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka Win
In Auckland, Coco Gauff won her first (of many) title of the year beating qualifier Rebeka Massarova in the final with a couple of breadsticks 6-1, 6-1.
Sabalenka won Adelaide also beating an overachieving qualifier Linda Noskova in the final.
Both women will look to carry that confidence and form into the Australian Open.
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