Novak Djokovic on Target to Defend His Australian Open Crown

The first major Grand Slam tournament of the year is well underway. The Australian Open in Melbourne is always one of the most thrilling events on the ATP Tour, featuring the best players in the world and packed with exciting tennis.

 

Top Seeds Tipped for Success in Melbourne

Having made an excellent start to the defence of his title, the latest 2021 Australian Open odds are firmly behind Novak Djokovic raining supreme once again.

The Serbian tennis superstar is priced at 6/5 as the clear favourite to triumph in Melbourne, which could see him lift the famous Norman Brookes Trophy for a remarkable ninth time. The 33-year-old is also the number one seed at this tournament, and currently top of the ATP Tour rankings.

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The quest for nine #AusOpen titles begins with a win for @DjokerNole 🇷🇸#Kia #MovementThatInspires #KiaTennis pic.twitter.com/EMXPsKE7DI

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 8, 2021

Nevertheless, there will be no room for any complacency by Djokovic this year. Six-time Australian Open Men’s Singles champion Roger Federer couldn’t be there, although a host of other leading contenders will have their sights firmly set on reaching the final. The biggest challenger will undoubtedly be the 2009 winner and four-times finalist, Rafael Nadal, despite being tipped as a 7/1 outsider.

Daniil Medvedev at 4/1 and Dominic Thiem at 6/1 are considered to be two of the most likely challengers, with both having made great strides over the last few years. Ranked at 3 in the ATP Tour Men’s Rankings, Thiem reached the 2020 Australian Open final and won the 2020 US Open, claiming the first Grand Slam victory of his career. Medvedev reached the 2019 US Open final and is currently fourth in the world rankings, after winning the 2020 ATP Finals in London.

Kyle Edmund Forced to Watch from Afar

Insofar as players with ties to Beverley are concerned, unfortunately, Kyle Edmund isn’t participating in the 2021 Australian Open due to a chronic knee injury problem. This forced him out of the first Grand Slam of the year. Edmund grew up in Tickton and began his tennis career at Beverley & East Riding Lawn Tennis Club, going on to help Great Britain win the Davis Cup in 2015.

After reaching the semi-finals of the Melbourne tournament in 2018, ultimately losing to Marin Cilic of Croatia in straight sets, Edmund established himself as the British number one.

He also broke into the top 20 of the ATP Tour rankings, following a thrilling victory against Djokovic at the 2018 Madrid Open. His triumph at the 2018 European Open in Belgium pushed Edmund to a peak of number 14 in the world rankings.

Despite having established himself as one of the leading players on the tour, Edmund slipped back down the rankings during a disappointing 2019 season.

However, the second professional title of a promising career came in the United States, with victory at the 2020 New York Open, held in February last year. Frustrating injuries have curtailed Edmund’s participation, and his famed “fearhand” forehand power will be sorely missed at the Australian Open.

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