Novak Djokovic may only be ranked fifth in the world now, but when the Australian Open begins in Melbourne on Monday, all eyes will be on him, feels Somdev Dev Varman.
Somdev, who had been India’s No. 1 tennis player and was world No. 62, said despite Rafael Nadal being the top seed and the defending champion, Djokovic will be the cynosure.
“All attention will be on Novak. He is the one with the most success at the Australian Open. He always finds a way to play his best tennis in Australia. He won at Adelaide and despite whispers about him being injured — a hamstring or his knee — he is in a better position in terms of injury struggles than Rafa,” Somdev said during a virtual interaction on Wednesday..
“The fact that he missed grand slams last year, the fact that his Wimbledon win did not earn him points, fact that he is not No. 1 — all that will make him more hungry and the focus will be undoubtedly be on him. He will be the man to beat.” Somdev said it was unfortunate that the young world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz will miss the year’s first major due to injury.
- The Australian Open will be live on Sony Sports Ten 2 and Ten 5 from January 16.
