The 2021 ATP and WTA Tours are now well underway and we’re into the first Grand Slam of the year with the Australian Open. Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are the big favourites to claim the men’s title, though Dominic Thiem is among the many rivals to the duo who are also looking to reign supreme in Melbourne.
Djokovic is the defending champion in Australia and is looking to clinch his 18th Grand Slam at this month’s event, which would move him two behind Nadal and Roger Federer.
Nadal, meanwhile, is looking to surpass Federer and move on to an unparalleled 21 Grand Slams but has not won this tournament since 2009, the only time he was ever triumphant at Melbourne Park.
Thiem will be looking to thwart both of the pair with the world No 3 having won the US Open last year, claiming his first ever major in the process.
Third seed Daniil Medvedev and world no 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas are also keen to win their first career Slams with the former having won the ATP Finals at the end of 2020.
In the women’s event, Serena Williams continues to seek her 24th Grand Slam to draw level with Margaret Court, who owns the most Slam triumphs in the history of tennis, male or female.
The 43-year-old is seeking her first major triumph since 2016 and has not won the Australian Open for 11 years.
Naomi Osaka, Ashleigh Barty, Simona Halep and Sofia Kenin are meanwhile expected to be the biggest rivals to the American great.
Kenin is the reigning champion in Australia while Osaka was the 2019 victor, with Barty winning the US Open at the end of last year.
But who will come out on top in the men’s draw and in the women’s? Can Nadal or Djokovic add to their huge hauls? Can Serena finally clinch No 24?
Have your say with our Express Sport poll below.
