Former Australian Open runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas hopes a return to his “home” Slam at Melbourne Park can spark an upturn in his fortunes after an inconsistent 2024 saw the Greek drop out of the top 10.
Tsitsipas won his third Masters title in Monte Carlo in April but other than that found success hard to come by, finishing the year ranked 11th.
Melbourne has the largest population of Greek speakers outside Greece and Cyprus and 2023 Australian Open finalist Tsitsipas is confident he will have significant support in his latest bid for a first Grand Slam title.
“I can’t wait to start the Australian Open, which I’ve said is my home Slam. It’s a great opportunity to be playing on these courts, to be receiving the crowd support I have been receiving over the last few years. I just hope my tennis blends in well with the rest of the crowd.”
The 26-year-old former French Open runner-up said his game flourished when he was in his comfort zone. “It makes a big difference in terms of feeling on court.Travelling so far overseas and having that feeling of home allows me to feel good within my comfort zone. That’s also why my tennis thrives and I feel better with my game.”
I just hope my tennis blends in well with the rest of the crowd.
— Stefanos Tsitsipas
Tsitsipas plays American Alex Michelsen in his opener of the year’s first Grand Slam where Aryna Sabalenka is chasing a third straight title at Melbourne Park.
Sabalenka begins her title defence against 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens, and the Belarusian world number one is in strong form after kicking off the season with a trophy in Brisbane.
Aiming to become the first woman since Martina Hingis in 1999 to win three straight Australian Open titles, Sabalenka has beaten Stephens in all four of their previous meetings.
She has also been dominant in hardcourt Grand Slams in recent years, boasting a 27-1 record since the start of 2023. Asked about her record on the surface, Sabalenka said on Friday: “Yeah, it’s been a while (since I lost). I’m not thinking about that kind of stuff. I’m just focusing on myself, trying to improve myself every day, and really hoping I can continue doing what I’m doing on the Grand Slams.”
Men’s world number two Alexander Zverev launches another bid for his first Grand Slam crown when he takes on wildcard Lucas Pouille. Grand Slam success has so far eluded him but after a 2024 season in which he won Masters 1,000 titles in Rome and Paris and reached the French Open final, the German is once again among the favourites in the men’s draw.
He will be hoping to improve on last year’s semifinal run during which he defeated Carlos Alcaraz. “I’m happy to be playing Grand Slam tennis again. I’m feeling pretty good. I had a bit of an issue at the United Cup, but I’m feeling better now, ready to get going,” said Zverev.
The 30-year-old Pouille might prove a tricky early opponent, though. The Frenchman has plummeted down the rankings to 104th but was once in the top 10, reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open in 2019.
Kei Nishikori, a four-time quarterfinalist at the Australian Open, will return to the tournament for the first time since 2021. The 35-year-old reached a career-high ranking of fourth shortly after becoming the first man from Asia to reach a major final at the 2014 US Open.
However, he has been plagued by injuries in recent years and struggled for consistency. “I’m back to 80%,” Nishikori, who faces Brazilian qualifier Thiago Monteiro in the first round, told reporters.
“It feels like I’m at a venue I know and love. I’m not feeling any pain in particular, so regardless of who I play, I think I can give him a tough match.”
Reuters
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