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Rafael Nadal Australian Open 2022
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What to expect at the Australian Open 2023


The Australian Open is now just a few months away and is the next major Grand Slam event in the tennis calendar.

Novak Djokovic has been warming up for the event with wins in the Tel Aviv Watergen Open and the Astana Open and will be hoping he is allowed to return to Australia following his deportation a day before the 2022 Australian Open.

Djokovic also missed the US Open and the likes of Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev had a shot at a grand slam in the absence of their strongest competitor.

What are the bookies saying?

Djokovic is currently the 6/4 favourite in Paddy Power’s sports betting to win in Australia, however, this is hugely dependent on whether he is allowed to compete at the showpiece event. Medvedev and Nadal will certainly be strong competitors at the tournament down under regardless of what decisions are made in the next few months.

When it comes to sports betting tips, Medvedev is an 11/4 second favourite behind Djokovic with Nadal being a slight outsider offered at 7/1. Medvedev suffered a disappointing collapse against Nick Kyrgios in the round of 16 of the US Open as his early lead quickly diminished and he was defeated heavily. The Russian will be desperate to perform at a much higher level in Australia and the presence of Djokovic could elevate him to a higher level.

Medvedev looking to get over recent woes

Medvedev’s form in the less prestigious Opens has not been great in recent times, he lost in the Moselle Open in the round of 16 and in the Astana Open he fell to Djokovic in the semi-final, having to retire through injury.

But perhaps Medvedev feels it is time for him to get one over on the Serbian and of course in the case of Djokovic not being allowed to compete in Australia then the Russian would be the clear favourite. Medvedev has certainly struggled to handle the pressure in the past when he has been the world number one and this can be likened to a situation of him being the favourite. Perhaps having Djokovic present as a competitor is key to keeping Medvedev’s winning mentality intact in January.

Nadal the outsider?

Spaniard Rafael Nadal is a legend of the game and is fancied as one of the favourites for every single grand slam he competes in. He holds the record for the most grand slams won by a single player with 22 but Djokovic is close behind at 21 and the Serb will be desperate to extend his record in Australia.

Nadal and Djokovic have the fiercest rivalry of any active tennis player and regardless of the eventual winner of the tournament if the pair were to meet it would be a stunning spectacle and perhaps the highest quality of tennis on offer right now.

Nick Kyrgios is also one of the outside favourites for the tournament and he will have to keep his composure and control his temper, but he certainly has the ability, and perhaps could achieve victory on home soil in the new year.

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.