One of Novak Djokovic’s top rivals for the Australian Open title has warned the former world No.1 is in excellent physical shape and “determined” to win at Melbourne Park for a 10th time.
Italy’s Jannik Sinner, a quarter-finalist at the 2022 Australian Open, witnessed first-hand the ominous form Djokovic is in during a practice session in Adelaide on Friday.
They are tuning up for the grand slam at the Adelaide International, where Djokovic – booted from the country in a vaccine-related decision last summer – faces Frenchman Constant Lestienne in round one and potentially Australia’s Jordan Thompson after that.
Jannik Sinner is gearing up for another Australian Open.Credit:Getty Images
A mouth-watering match-up between top seed Djokovic and dual AO finalist Daniil Medvedev awaits, while Sinner landed on the opposite side of the draw with the likes of Felix Auger Aliassime and Andrey Rublev.
Six men ranked in the top 15 will compete for the Adelaide title as part of an impressive field at The Drive, with Djokovic hellbent on creating headlines in Australia for the right reasons.
“I practised with Novak [on Friday] and he’s in shape. You can see that he wants to win and is determined,” Sinner said.
“It’s very nice to have him back here in Australia and having him also at the Australian Open because I think he is one of the best players in the world, if not the best.
“I don’t know him so, so well, but for sure he’s very motivated.
“He will try to win every match he plays, every tournament he plays, but I think physically he is very, very good and moving very well … to win against him; you have to play your best tennis.”
Priscilla Hon hopes to push her Australian Open wildcard case in Adelaide.Credit:Eamon Gallagher
Also in the men’s draw are Australians Thanasi Kokkinakis, who made the semi-finals before winning his maiden ATP Tour title at the second Adelaide event 12 months ago, and Chris O’Connell.
Kokkinakis’ second-round opponent could be Sinner, who starts against Brit Kyle Edmund, if the big-striking Australian can beat American net-rusher Maxime Cressy.
On the women’s side, Australia’s Priscilla Hon drew a qualifier first-up as she tries to replicate her Adelaide heroics from last January, when she upset dual Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova for her first top-20 scalp.
Top-10 stars Ons Jabeur, Aryna Sabalenka, Daria Kasatkina and Veronika Kudermetova headline the Adelaide women’s draw, which also includes Victorian Jaimee Fourlis. Hon, 24, is a leading contender for one of the remaining Australian Open women’s wildcards and knows a strong performance in Adelaide will only help those chances – and her top-100 goal.
“We had that [same wildcard situation] last [January], so I’m trying not to think about it,” Hon said.
“At the end of the day, it’s whoever does the best this week will get it, so I just want to focus on my match and hopefully play the best I can. It’s a bonus if I do get it.
“I’m definitely kind of sick of sitting at this mark. I’m ready to push forward and hopefully break top 100 in the next couple of months.”
