The first Grand Slam event of the 2019 tennis season begins on Monday, and while the New Year brings the opportunity for a new generation of players to begin making their mark at the Australian Open, all signs point to the old guard retaining their hold on the sport – at least for now.
Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams enter the Australian Open as clear favorites in their respective draws, with other familiar names following them as the top contenders.
Djokovic, Federer Chase History
Men’s tennis has been dominated by three names over the past decade, and that trio is once again the group to beat heading into 2019. William Hill has Djokovic as the 11/10 favorite to win the Australian Open, with Roger Federer (9/2) and Rafael Nadal (9/1) listed as the second and third choices, respectively.
Djokovic and Federer are both chasing a record seventh Australian Open title, but Federer also has another milestone on the line, as his next tour win will be the 100th title of his career.
“Look, 99 is already an incredible number,†Federer said on Thursday at the tournament draw. “But if you’re so close and knowing that I’m going to be playing this season, I’ll give it a go. If it were to happen trying to defend the title in Australia, sure I would take it. I would gladly take it.â€
Between the two of them, Djokovic and Federer have won 12 of the past 15 Australian Open men’s singles championships, including the last four, with Federer claiming the title last year. But that doesn’t mean that a surprise winner can’t emerge. Along with Nadal, younger players like Alexander Zverev (11/1) seem poised to break through eventually – though the older generation doesn’t appear ready to loosen its grip just yet.
Already, the men’s side of the tournament has seen one major surprise, as Andy Murray announced he would be retiring soon: either after Wimbledon, or perhaps sooner if his pain becomes too difficult to manage. Murray (50/1) comes into the event unseeded, and isn’t expected to compete for the title.
Serena Looks to Equal Court
On the women’s side, Serena Williams may not be quite as dominant as she has been in years past, but she is still the player to beat in Melbourne. Williams is seeking her 24th career major title, which would tie her with Margaret Court at the top of the all-time list.
Williams hasn’t won a major since the 2017 Australian Open, when she won the tournament while already seven weeks pregnant. However, she did make the final at both Wimbledon and the US Open after returning to competition last year.
Bookmakers have pegged players like Angelique Kerber (7/1), Aryna Sabalenka (11/1), and Naomi Osaka (11/1) as Williams’ most likely challengers in Melbourne. But both world No. 1 player Simona Halep (20/1) and defending Australian Open champion Carolina Wozniacki (22/1) could also be factors.
“Coming back as defending champion, it’s something I always dreamed of,†Wozniacki said at the draw ceremony. “It’s something I’ve wanted my whole career, and something I waited for for a long time. To finally get that here was very special – it’s the Happy Slam, it’s the first slam of the year, and it just made my year so much more enjoyable.â€
First round singles matches at the Australian Open begin Monday. The women’s singles final is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 26, with the men’s singles final taking place on the 27th.