Mary Joe Fernandez has given her prediction ahead of the men’s Australian Open final between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.
History is on the line this Sunday, as two of the men’s very best and most adored players are set to do battle on Rod Laver Arena.
It pits the legendary veteran seeking to win his 25th major against the young superstar hoping to complete his set of Grand Slams. There is so much at stake for both competitors.
While Jim Courier claims that Djokovic has a big advantage for the final, others argue that his body will struggle with the rapid turnaround after such a gruelling win last time out.
Fernandez, speaking live on ESPN, is still backing the Serbian.
Mary Joe Fernandez makes her Australian Open final prediction
She has argued that, with how much has gone his way over the last two weeks, it’s impossible to look past Novak Djokovic for the Australian Open title.
Were he to win on Sunday, it would mark his 11th triumph in Melbourne, and see him pass Margaret Court as the most successful player in major history.
Who is winning in Sunday’s Australian Open final?
Fernandez stated: “Sentimental favourite, Novak Djokovic. He’s trying to do what Rybakina just did by beating Swiatek and Sabalenka, number one and two in the world.
“I think the stars are aligned. A lot of things going his way in this Australian Open. So I’m going to go with Novak.
“I mean, he’s superhuman. Remember, Alcaraz, as well as Novak, they’re gonna be feeling it physically, and I just think Novak has the experience at this level.
“He’s going for a title, what? 11, 11 down under.”
Elsewhere, Rafael Nadal has predicted who he thinks will win the men’s Australian Open final.
What has Novak Djokovic said about his Australian Open final vs Carlos Alcaraz?
Speaking after his win over Jannik Sinner, outlasting the Italian in a classic five-set thriller, Djokovic was asked to swiftly turn his attention to the final.
And, asked about Carlos Alcaraz and their respective efforts to create history, the 38-year-old admitted: “For me, I think also obviously for Carlos because of his age and everything that he was able to achieve so far, history is on the line for both of us every time we play. The finals of Grand Slam, you know, there’s a lot at stake, but it’s no different from, you know, any other big match that I play.
“My preparation is as it should be, and I won against him last year here, you know, also in a gruelling match. Let’s see. Let’s see how fresh are we both able to be.
Should Djokovic retire whatever happens in the Australian Open final and go out in a blaze of glory?
“He also had a big match, but he has 15, 16 years on me. You know, biologically I think it’s going to be a bit easier for him to recover.
“But, yeah, I look forward to it. Look, I play tennis competitively mainly to be able to reach the finals of Grand Slams. Here I am, so I cannot complain about anything. I’m just trying to enjoy the moment that I’m experiencing tonight. I’ll think about finals later, but for me, this is a win that almost equals winning a Grand Slam.”
