2023-10-11 04:09:04
MELBOURNE (AP) — Three former Australian Open champions — Naomi Osaka, Caroline Wozniacki and Angelique Kerber — are scheduled to return to the tournament in January following maternity leaves. Likewise, the return of Rafael Nadal, monarch in 2022, and the local favorite Nick Kyrgios is planned.
Craig Tiley, the tournament director, said Wednesday that Nadal, suffering from a left hip flexor problem, and Kyrgios, injured in a knee and wrist, are contemplating returning, recovered from their injuries, to challenge Novak’s dominance. Djokovic at the Rod Laver Arena, where the Serb has won 10 of his 24 Grand Slam titles — a record.
“Our 2022 champion, Rafael Nadal, has worked hard on his rehabilitation for much of this year,” Tiley said. “He always brings the best to Melbourne, and no one can doubt the intensity with which he competes. I have been in contact with his team, and he is back on the court, eager to return to Melbourne in January.”
Tiley added that Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz (2nd in the ranking) hope to lead the group of participants in the men’s branch. Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek would play in the women’s division, as would Coco Gauff, new champion of the United States Open.
The tournament will take place from January 14 to 28. It will start on Sunday for the first time.
Thus, the Australian Open will join the French Open as the tennis majors that take place over 15 days.
At an event to announce the tournament, Tiley also announced that it will pay tribute to Evonne Goolagong Cawley, on the 50th anniversary of her first of four championships in Australia, in 1974.
Cawley also won Wimbledon twice and the French Open once.
Tiley said the tennis player’s effigy will appear on the coin used before matches at the Australian Open and in all preparatory tournaments for the first major of the year.
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