A Star-Studded Lineup Gears Up for the Australian Open
Excitement is building for the Australian Open, with a stellar field of players set to take the court in Melbourne. From returning champions to rising stars and veterans seeking one last hurrah, the tournament promises a compelling display of tennis excellence.
Champions Defend, Legends Return
Reigning champions Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, both currently holding the top spots in their respective rankings, will be back to defend their titles. Sinner, a dominant force on the court, is aiming to solidify his place at the pinnacle of men’s tennis. Sabalenka, known for her powerful serves and aggressive style, will be looking to build on her momentum and add another Grand Slam trophy to her collection.
Adding to the intrigue, tennis icon Novak Djokovic has confirmed his participation, setting his sights on an unprecedented 11th Australian Open victory. Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, is known for his resilience and unwavering focus, making him a formidable contender in every tournament he enters.
Former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori, making his return to Melbourne after a two-year absence, will rely on his protected ranking to grace the Australian Open stage once again.
New Faces, Fresh Momentum
The Australian Open will also feature a number of rising stars eager to make their mark on the world stage. 23-year-old Kartal will be making her main draw debut, a testament to her hard work and dedication. Joining her will be Burrage, returning to the tournament for another shot at glory.
Meanwhile, British No. 1 Draper is hoping to build on his impressive semifinal run at the US Open, where he demonstrated his growing confidence and skill. Reaching the second round has been his best performance in Melbourne, but he’s undoubtedly aiming for a deeper run this time around.
Adding further excitement to the tournament is the return of Belinda Bencic. The Tokyo 2020 gold medalist, who missed all of the Grand Slams this year after welcoming her daughter Bella in April, will utilize her protected ranking to compete in the main draw.
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Who does Sarah Johnson think might shake things up at the Australian Open?
## Interview with Tennis Analyst, Sarah Johnson
**Interviewer:** Welcome back, Sarah! Excitement is building for the Australian Open, and we have a star-studded lineup to look forward to this year. What are some of the key storylines you’ll be watching?
**Sarah Johnson:** Absolutely! This year’s Australian Open is shaping up to be truly special. We have defending champions Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka returning, both looking to solidify their positions at the top of the rankings. Sinner, as we know, is a force to be reckoned with, playing incredibly dominant tennis. [[1](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-26/australian-open-novak-djokovic-slams-loss-to-jannik-sinner/103395572)]
**Interviewer:** His performance against Djokovic in the semi-finals last year was particularly impressive.
**Sarah Johnson:** Exactly! It really marked him as a serious contender. Then we have Sabalenka, who just brings this electrifying energy and power to the court. It’s always a thrill to watch her play.
**Interviewer:** So the defending champions are certainly ones to watch, but are there any other players you think might shake things up?
**Sarah Johnson:** Oh, absolutely! We can never count out veterans like Novak Djokovic who are always looking to make a come-back. And then you have the rising stars who are hungry for their first grand slam title. This year’s tournament is really up for grabs, and it’s going to be exciting to see who rises to the occasion.
