HOW THE LEADING MEN'S CONTENDERS SHAPE UP FOR THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN:
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RAFAEL NADAL (ESP)
Age: 36
Ranking: 2
Plays: left-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US134,529,921
Career titles: 92
Grand slam titles: 22 (Australian Open 2009, 2022; French Open 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022; Wimbledon 2008, 2010; US Open 2010, 2013, 2017, 2019)
Australian Open win-loss record: 76-15
Best Australian Open results: champion 2009, 2022; runner-up 2012, 2014, 2017, 2019
Men's tennis' most prolific grand slam title winner is defending his crown in Melbourne for the first time in 13 years after cashing in on Novak Djokovic's absence 12 months ago. Elevated to top seed following the withdrawal of injured world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz.
CASPER RUUD (NOR)
Age: 24
Ranking: 3
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US13,291,561
Career titles: 9
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss record: 4-3
Best Australian Open result: fourth round 2021
Eight of his career titles have come on clay but the Norwegian did reach the US Open final on hard courts in September and is seeded to make the title match at a second straight major.
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS (GRE)
Age: 24
Ranking: 4
Plays: right-handed
Career prize money: $US23,655,204
Career titles: 9
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss record: 15-5
Best Australian Open results: semi-finalist 2019, 2021, 2022
With three semi-finals in the past four years, the Greek ace has been knocking on the door at Melbourne Park and maybe 2023 could be his time to burst through and claim his maiden major. Unbeaten and in great touch in four matches at the United Cup.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC (SRB)
Age: 35
Ranking: 5
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US164,786,653
Career titles: 92
Grand slam titles: 21 (Australian Open 2008, 2011-2013, 2015-16, 2019-21; French Open 2016, 2021; Wimbledon 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022; US Open 2011, 2015, 2018)
Australian Open win-loss record: 82-8
Best Australian Open results: champion 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021
The perennial Open favourite having won a record nine titles from as many finals in Melbourne, the Serbian superstar has the added motivation of chasing a 10th crown after being sensationally booted out of the country last year. Unbeaten in 34 matches in Australia since 2018.
DANIIL MEDVEDEV (RUS)
Age: 26
Ranking: 8
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US26,632,531
Career titles: 15
Grand slam titles: 1 (US Open 2021)
Australian Open win-loss record: 19-6
Best Australian Open results: runner-up 2021, 2022
The former world No.1 may have dropped in the rankings but he still remains a hardcourt grand slam force after winning his maiden major in New York. He reached the past two finals at Melbourne Park, falling to Nadal and Djokovic.
NICK KYRGIOS (AUS)
Age: 27
Ranking: 21
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US12,478,415
Career titles: 7
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss record: 17-9
Best Australian Open result: quarter-finalist 2015
Breakout 2022 runs to the Wimbledon final and US Open's last eight have given the mercurial talent the belief he can, finally, seriously challenge for grand slam spoils. A huge chance if he can keep his head but could strike Djokovic in the quarter-finals.
BEST OUTSIDER
TAYLOR FRITZ (USA)
Age: 25
Ranking: 9
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US10,827,901
Career titles: 4
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss record: 9-6
Best Australian Open result: fourth round 2022
The American enjoyed a breakout season in 2022, winning Indian Wells and stretching Nadal to five epic sets in the Wimbledon quarter-finals to crack the world's top 10 for the first time. Helping the US to United Cup glory has only fuelled his belief.
BEST OTHER AUSSIE HOPE
ALEX DE MINAUR
Age: 23
Ranking: 24
Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Career prize money: $US7,944,797
Career titles: 6
Grand slam titles: 0
Australian Open win-loss record: 8-5
Best Australian Open result: fourth round 2022
Brimming with confidence after posting victories over Nadal and Medvedev - last year's finalists - in the past two months. May need to knock off Djokovic in the last 16 to make the quarter-finals for the first time.
Australian Associated Press
