The year’s first grand slam is upon us. As the action begins Down Under Monday onwards, Elora Sen of The Telegraph looks at what lies ahead.

ETERNAL FAVOURITE

He is not the defending champion. He is not the top seed. He is not the current world No.1. But Novak Djokovic will be the biggest draw at the Australian Open.

Pretty much his happy hunting ground, Djokovic is on the prowl for a 10th singles title at Melbourne Park, which will also bring him on a par with Rafael Nadal, the defending champion and winner of 22 grand slam men’s singles titles.

After the dramatic incidents of 2022, when Djokovic was deported from Australia ahead of the major robbing him of a chance to defend his title, the Serb will be hungry to set the records straight. He did suffer an injury scare (hamstring), but many are willing to put their money on him as a champion.

AGEING FIGHTER

Rafael Nadal may find himself being burdened with expectation as he starts his title defence. He became the top seed with world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz withdrawing with an injury. But Nadal has problems of his own.

The 36-year-old Spaniard has lost six of his last seven singles matches, the only victory coming in a dead rubber against Casper Ruud at the Nitto ATP Finals.

He has not seemed completely healthy since last summer, when he withdrew from the Wimbledon semi-finals with an abdominal injury and then lost in the fourth round of the US Open.

In 2023, he has lost to Alex de Minaur and Cameron Norrie at the United Cup.

However, Nadal has been optimistic about his chance of winning a record-extending 23rd grand slam title in Melbourne. “I think I’m in good shape,” he had said ahead of the major.

IGA’S PATH CLEAR

Top seed Iga Swiatek is the overwhelming favourite to win in a draw which has only Victoria Azarenka and Sofia Kenin as former champions. Defending champion Ashleigh Barty retired last year, as did Serena Williams.

Iga Swiatek. File picture

Swiatek won the French and the US Open in 2022 and had made the semi-finals of the Australian Open last year. Challenging her will be fourth seed Coco Gauff, along with Ons Jabeur and Jessica Pegula, the second and third seeds respectively.

Gauff has been seen as champion material since reaching her first grand slam final, in Paris, surrendering only to Swiatek.

Pegula made the quarter finals in Melbourne last year. Jabeur finished as the runner-up in the last two majors and will be eager to finally be a part of the winner’s circle.

MISSING PIECES

World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz will miss the season’s first after suffering a leg injury in pre-season training.

The 19-year-old Spaniard became the youngest men’s world No.1 after winning his maiden grand slam at the US Open in September.

Also missing at Melbourne Park will be former world No. 3 Marin Cilic (injujry), two-time champion Naomi Osaka (pregnant). Former finalist Simona Halep also is not playing this year and Venus Williams, who was given a wild card, has returned it after suffering an injury while practising in Auckland.

Top contenders

MEN NOVAK DJOKOVIC (SRB) Age 35 Rank 5 2022 record: 42-7 Slam record: 21 — Australian Open (9), French Open (2), Wimbledon (7), US Open (3)

Last 5 Australian Opens: 2022-DNP, 2021-W, 2020-W, 2019-W, 2018-4th round

DANIIL MEDVEDEV (RUS) Age 26 Rank 8 Slam record: 45-19 Slam record: 1 — US Open Last 5 Australian Opens: 2022-Runner-up, 2021-runner-up, 2020-4th round, 2019- 4th round, 2018-2nd round

NICK KYRGIOS (AUS) Age 27 Rank 21 2022 record: 37-10 Slam record: Runner-up — Wimbledon (2022) Last 5 Australian Opens: 2022-2nd round, 2021-3rd round, 2020-4th round, 2019- 1st round, 2018-4th round

WOMEN

IGA SWIATEK (POL) Age 21 Rank 1 2022 record: 67-9 Slam record: 3 — French Open (2), US Open (1) Last 5 Australian Opens: 2022-Semis, 2021-4th round, 2020-4th round, 2019-2nd round, 2018-DNP

ONS JABEUR (TUN) Age 28 Rank 2 2022 record: 47-17 Slam record: 2 runner-up finishes — Wimbledon (2022), US Open (2022)

Last 5 Australian Opens: 2022-DNP, 2021-2nd round, 2020-QF, 2019-1st round, 2018-1st round

COCO GAUFF (USA) Age 18 Rank 7 2022 record: 38-22 Slam record: 1 runner-up — French Open (2022) Last 5 Australian Opens: 2022-1st round, 2021-2nd round, 2020-4th round, 2019- DNP, 2018-DNP