Homeland favourite Ashleigh Barty and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic are the top seeds for the upcoming Australian Open.
Barty, 25, has been the WTA year-end No. 1 three straight years however has by no means gained the Grand Slam occasion, which begins Monday in Melbourne.
The two-time Grand Slam champion’s finest end within the Australian Open was reaching the semifinals in 2020.
Perhaps keen to attain that first title, Barty withdrew from this week’s Sydney Tennis Classic. She gained the singles and doubles title at Adelaide final week.
“Unfortunately, I’m withdrawing from the Sydney Tennis Classic to have a while to get better earlier than the Australian Open,” Barty stated in a press release. “I’m sorry I will not get the prospect to play in entrance of the Sydney followers this 12 months. I hope to see you all once more quickly. I want the gamers and the event crew all the most effective for the week forward.”
Djokovic is a nine-time occasion winner whose presence is making a fairly a stir within the Land Down Under on account of his visa scenario.
The 34-year-old Serbian is unvaccinated and initially had his visa revoked upon arriving in Australia. He has since gained an enchantment to stay within the nation however there’s nonetheless an opportunity he might have the visa canceled earlier than the event begins.
Djokovic has gained 20 profession Grand Slam titles, which is tied with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for most all-time amongst males’s gamers.
Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, who beat Djokovic in September’s U.S. Open, is the No. 2 seed.
Germany’s Alexander Zverev is No. 3, adopted by Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas and Russia’s Andrey Rublev.
Nadal of Spain is the sixth seed. The highest American is Taylor Fritz at No. 20. John Isner (No. 22) and Reilly Opelka (No. 23) are also seeded.
Federer, of Switzerland, is sidelined on account of knee surgical procedure.
On the ladies’s aspect, Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus is No. 2 and Garbine Muguruza of Spain is No. 3. Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic is No. 4 and Maria Sakkari of Greece is No. 5.
Defending Australian Open champ Naomi Osaka of Japan is seeded thirteenth.
U.S. Open champ Emma Raducanu of Great Britain is seeded seventeenth and runner-up Leylah Fernandez of Canada is No. 23.
Sofia Kenin, the 2020 champ, is the very best seeded American at No. 11. Others seeded Americans are Coco Gauff (No. 18), Jessica Pegula (No. 21) and Danielle Collins (No. 27).
Serena Williams is not taking part in within the event as she continues her restoration from a hamstring damage. Williams has gained seven Aussie Open titles and her 23 whole Grand Slam crowns are tied with Margaret Court for most all-time.
–Field Level Media
