Our own to keep an eye on - Aussie names to keep tabs on this Grand Slam
Written by Ben McCure
The 2022 Australian Open is upon us and despite the background noise surrounding Novak Djokovic, it promises to be two weeks of exciting, high-quality tennis.
There will be no shortage of Australians to cheer for on both the Men’s and Women’s sides of the singles draw, led by none other than world number one Ash Barty.
Barty, arguably the most popular athlete in Australia right now, will be aiming to add to her two Grand Slams by claiming a maiden Australian Open title.
If successful, she will become our first female winner since Christine O’Neil in 1978.
This years’ tournament will also be the last for another fan-favourite in Dylan Alcott, as he enters retirement.
The Wheelchair Tennis champion will be hoping to end his decorated career on a high by winning a 16th singles title and an eighth at Melbourne Park.
If you still need an Aussie to get behind, we have you covered.
Here are some of the Australian players worth keeping an eye on.
Ash Barty As previously mentioned, Ash Barty is a serious chance to win her third Grand Slam. The Queenslander plays with an equal mix of offense and defence, and has a dominant backhand slice, along with the ability to hit big forehand winners.
Coming off an outstanding 2021, where she won Wimbledon and finished the year as world number one, Barty couldn’t be better placed to take out the hometown title. She is importantly in form after winning the Adelaide International last week.
First Round Opponent: Lesia Tsurenko (Ukraine) Prediction: Barty makes history and wins her first Australian Open.
Can the Barty party help Ash to her first home Grand Slam win? - Photo credit: Nine WWOS
Nick Kyrgios Kyrgios was forced out of the Sydney Tennis Classic warm-up event after testing positive to COVID, however he will play in the Australian Open. A lack of preparation and match practice, on top of any lasting effects from the illness may hinder him.
The 26-year-old hasn’t played any tour matches since September last year. However, if anyone is capable of winning games through raw, natural talent and skill - it’s Kyrgios.
First Round Opponent: Liam Broady (United Kingdom) Prediction: Kyrgios bows out in the third-round after a courageous Australian Open campaign.
How hard will COVID kick Kyrgios this tournament? - Photo credit: Sky Sports
Ajla Tomljanović Tomljanović enjoyed an impressive 2021, highlighted by a quarter-final appearance at Wimbledon where she ran into a red-hot Ash Barty. Born in Croatia, the 28-year-old became an Australian citizen in 2018 and represented the nation at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Ajla is a powerful player whose backhand is a genuine strength. Her recent form is good, having reached the round of 16 at both the Adelaide and Sydney Internationals.
First Round Opponent: Paula Badosa (Spain) Prediction: Tomljanović makes another Grand Slam round of 16 appearance.
Ajla will be hoping to replicate her dominance in the first half of last year's Wimbledon - Photo credit: Wimbledon
Alex de Minaur de Minaur is among the most exciting young players in Australian tennis. Still early in his career, he’s already claimed some impressive scalps - such as world number three Alexander Zverev, and former world number four Kei Nishikori.
In 2020, de Minaur became the youngest Australian to reach a Quarter Final at the US Open since Lleyton Hewitt, and at 22 years of age, his best is ahead. “The Demon” is poised for a big tournament, after beating highly ranked players in Matteo Berrettini and Ugo Humbert at the ATP Cup in Sydney.
First Round Opponent: Lorenzo Musetti (Italy) Prediction: Alex de Minaur reaches Quarter Final, leaving fans optimistic about his future.
'The Demon' possesses all the traits to cause trouble this Aus Open - Photo credit: Getty Images
Storm Sanders Sanders hasn’t featured in the women’s singles draw at an Australian Open since 2015. In the six years between appearances, she’s battled injury and form, both preventing her from qualifying on separate occasions.
Having never made the second round of a Grand Slam before she will be determined to put in a good performance with the experience she’s gained. Last year, Sanders defeated Elise Mertens in the biggest win of her career; one of several impressive wins under her belt leading into Melbourne.
First Round Opponent: Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) Prediction: Storm Sanders goes down to world number two in the first round, but impresses after pushing the Belarusian all the way.
Can Storm make lightning strike twice and knock off two big names in twelve months? - Photo credit: Getty Images North America
Thanasi Kokkinakis Kokkinakis burst onto the scene as a teenager at this very event in 2015, when he defeated Ernests Gulbis (ranked 13th in the world at the time) in a thrilling five set match. Since then, he’s had a horrible run with injuries, battling pectoralis and abdominal strains, as well as ankle and shoulder issues; all preventing him from reaching his full potential. Last night in his hometown of Adelaide, Kokkinakis broke through for his maiden ATP title. Anyone lucky enough to watch it would have been moved by how just how much it meant to him. At 25 and the worst of his injury troubles behind him, exciting times are ahead for the talented South Australian.
First Round Opponent: Yannick Hanfmann (Germany) Prediction: Kokkinakis rides a wave of momentum, reaching the round of 16 at the Australian Open.
Thanasi is coming in hot to this year's Open, with one title already under his belt - Photo credit: Shahida Jacobs
Ash Barty headlines the Aussies kicking off their campaigns on Day 1 of the Open.
After an eventful build-up, the Australian Open is finally here, and it will undoubtedly be another successful edition of the event that reaffirms Melbourne’s status as the sporting capital of the world.