Australian Open 2023 predictions: Men's and women's singles champions, dark horses, early exits
The 2023 edition of the Australian Open is nearly here. The world's best tennis players are expected to descend on Melbourne Park for a packed fortnight.
Ash Barty's retirement means Iga Swiatek is the favourite to win the women's singles title. Novak Djokovic will be looking to take out his tenth Australian Open title following his 2022 deportation saga.
Iga Swiatek is the current world No. 1 in women's tennis. Coco Gauff won the title in Adelaide. Veronika Kudermetova has entered the top ten for the first time in her career. She has never gone past the third round at Melbourne Park.
Novak Djokovic is the favourite to win the Australian Open 2023. Djoka won the Adelaide International 1 title. He is injured and his closest rivals are either injured or off their game. He will be determined to defend the title he won last year.
Jessica Pegula is the fourth favourite for the Australian Open. Aryna Sabalenka hasn't gone beyond the last 16 in Melbourne and has never got to a Grand Slam final. Elena Rybakina is in the same quadrant of the draw as Iga Swiatek. Ry bakin has experience winning a grand slam tournament.
Frances Tiafoe could have a deep run in the Australian Open. Felix Auger-Aliassime won four titles in 2022 and took Canada to Davis Cup glory. Jannik Sinner has recently beaten Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal. He was two sets up in quarter-finals last year against Medvedev in Melbourne.
Danielle Collins and Emma Raducanu are unlikely to last long at the Australian Open. Iga Swiatek will start her campaign with a tricky first round clash against Jule Niemeier. Elena Rybakina is projected in the fourth round. The likes of Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula and Barbora Krejčíková could stand in her way to the final.
Rafael Nadal is not going to defend his Australian Open title. Casper Ruud lost four of eight matches last year. Felix Auger-Aliassime is an exciting talent but he has a history of early exits. He exited Wimbledon and the US Open in the first and second round in 2022.
