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If it’s astonishing to think that Venus’ Williams first-round AO2018 opponent, Belinda Bencic, was just a few months old when the superstar debuted at this event as a beaded-haired teenager 20 years ago, it’s more astonishing still to consider everything to have unfolded in that time.

There have been seven Grand Slam titles collected for the prolific competitor, among a record 76 majors contested overall. After rising to world No.1 in 2002 there were inevitable challenges for Venus, including an illness that contributed to her drop outside the top 100 in 2011.

MORE: Day 1 schedule of play

But as she booked-ended a remarkable 2017 with runner-up performances at the Australian Open and the prestigious WTA Finals, Venus was clearly back to her best. There was also a ninth finals appearance at Wimbledon, ensuring she starts her 18th Australian Open appearance at world No.5.

Experience is now as much a weapon for the 37-year-old Venus as her trademark serve and powerful groundstrokes, and she’ll need it as she meets Bencic in the second match at Rod Laver Arena on Monday.

MORE: The women’s singles draw for AO2018

Neither her ranking – currently world No.78 – nor her relative youth tell the full story of the talented young Swiss, who drew comparisons to countrywoman Martina Hingis as she claimed her first two career titles at age 18. At Toronto, where she hoisted the biggest trophy, her victims included Caroline Wozniacki, Serena Williams and Simona Halep.

In 2017, Bencic was thwarted by a wrist injury requiring surgery, but after five months on the sidelines she returned to win three consecutive lower-level events late in the year. In combining with Roger Federer to win the recent Hopman Cup for Switzerland, she extended a match-winning streak to 18.

Bencic is yet to win a set over Venus in four matches, but will be buoyed by upsets of world No.9 CoCo Vandeweghe and world No.18 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova among her three match wins in Perth. A fascinating cross-generational battle looms.

Equally fascinating is the form of Rafael Nadal, who returns to the court where he began his stunning career revival last year.

Runner-up to Federer at Australian Open 2017, Nadal soon became a record-breaking champion with a 10th title at Roland Garros. A 16th Grand Slam title was added at the US Open, underlining Rafa’s emphatic return to world No.1.

MORE: The men’s singles draw for AO2018

While proudly retaining top spot as he enters tonight’s first round against Victor Estrella Burgos – a world No.81 from the Dominican Republic whom he has never competed against on tour – Nadal is also aware of the challenges ahead.

After a lifetime spent with his Uncle Toni as coach, this Australian Open marks the first official departure from that link. There’s also concern about injury, a lingering knee problem resulting in Rafa’s absence from the season-opening Brisbane International.

“(This) is the first time I am here without playing (an) official match in my career,” he admitted to media at Melbourne Park. “(A) new situation for me.”
rafael nadal practice rod laver arena australian open
Roger and Rafa radiate on Rod Laver Arena
Photo gallery 8 hours ago

Returned to top seed status at the only Slam he is yet to win twice, Nadal retains a simple view.

“Everyone starts from zero. I start from zero again,” he said. “Start as (a) new season, an exciting one. I hope to be healthy and competitive, and most important thing, I hope to enjoy tennis one more year.”

At age 31 and contesting his 13th Australian Open, it’s perhaps natural that the Spaniard counts his seasons in the singular now.

But as with Venus, still thriving two decades since reaching the first of nine Australian Open quarterfinals as a 17-year-old, there’s an equal awareness that such abundant competitors always have a longer-term view.

Roger Federer jest faworytem do obrony mistrzostwa i wygrania wielkoszlemowego Australian Open 2018. Szwajcarowi chcą pokrzyżować plany inni tenisiści z Hiszpanem Rafaelem Nadalem na czele.
Rafał Smoliński
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Roger Federer
Roger Federer - 4 (skala ocen: 0-5)

36-letni Szwajcar jest największym faworytem do zwycięstwa w Melbourne. W ramach przygotowań do Australian Open 2018 wygrał wspólnie z Belindą Bencić Puchar Hopmana i teraz pragnie wielkoszlemowej chwały. Roger jest zdrowy i pewny swoich umiejętności. Na Antypodach znów powinien być postrachem rywali.

Federer celuje w 20. wielkoszlemowe trofeum w grze pojedynczej. Jeśli wygra, to jako pierwszy mężczyzna osiągnie magiczną "20". Dotychczas triumfował w Melbourne w 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010 i 2017 roku.

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Roger Federer i inni - zapowiedź turnieju mężczyzn Australian Open 2018
Rafał Smoliński
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Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal - 3,5 (skala ocen: 0-5)

Lider rankingu przystąpi do pierwszego wielkoszlemowego turnieju w sezonie 2018 bez większej praktyki meczowej, ponieważ wycofał się z imprezy w Brisbane. Rafael narzekał w ostatnich miesiącach na uraz kolana i miał problemy z trenowaniem. Hiszpan wziął tylko udział w pokazowych zawodach w Melbourne i rozegrał kilka sparingów na obiektach Melbourne Park.


Mimo braków w przygotowaniach Nadal będzie jednym z faworytów do triumfu w Australian Open 2018. Tenisista z Majorki wygrał te zawody w 2009 roku, a w zeszłym sezonie stoczył niesamowity pięciosetowy bój z Rogerem Federerem. Hiszpan celuje w 17. wielkoszlemowy tytuł oraz miejsce w historii. W Erze Open nie zdarzyło się bowiem jeszcze, aby jeden zawodnik dwukrotnie wygrał każdy turniej Wielkiego Szlema.

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Roger Federer i inni - zapowiedź turnieju mężczyzn Australian Open 2018
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Grigor Dimitrow
Grigor Dimitrow - 2 (skala ocen: 0-5)

W listopadzie zeszłego roku Bułgar odniósł największy sukces w dotychczasowej karierze, gdy wygrał londyńskie Finały ATP World Tour. Teraz chciałby pójść dalej i w końcu zaznać wielkoszlemowej rozkoszy. W ramach przygotowań do występu w Melbourne Grigor Dimitrow zagrał w Brisbane, gdzie tytułu pozbawił go Nick Kyrgios.

Urodzony w Chaskowie tenisista dwukrotnie dotarł do półfinału w Wielkim Szlemie. Po raz pierwszy w US Open 2014, a po raz drugi w Australian Open 2017. Rok temu do finału nie wpuścił go Rafael Nadal. Tym razem Bułgar twierdzi, że jest dojrzalszy i bardziej doświadczony.

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Roger Federer i inni - zapowiedź turnieju mężczyzn Australian Open 2018
Rafał Smoliński
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Novak Djoković
Novak Djoković - 1,5 (skala ocen: 0-5)

Serb stracił pół roku z powodu kontuzji łokcia, dlatego trudno oceniać jego szanse. Nie można ich jednak przekreślać, ponieważ Novak Djoković to tenisista, który bez większych przygotowań potrafi powalczyć o znakomity wynik. Celem "Nole" jest stopniowy powrót do dawnej formy i włączenie się do gry o wielkoszlemowe trofea.

W Australian Open 2018 może być Novakowi trudno sięgnąć po 13. tytuł w Wielkim Szlemie. Tenisista przyznał, że uraz łokcia nie jest jeszcze w pełni zaleczony. Jeśli jednak ból minie i Serb złapie swój rytm, to śmiało może zajść bardzo daleko.

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Roger Federer i inni - zapowiedź turnieju mężczyzn Australian Open 2018
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Nick Kyrgios
Nick Kyrgios - 1,5 (skala ocen: 0-5)

Czy to będzie rok Nicka Kyrgiosa? Tenisista z Canberry zaczął od zwycięstwa w Brisbane i teraz myśli już tylko o Australian Open 2018. U siebie czuje się doskonale, do tego może liczyć na wsparcie fanatycznych kibiców. Tylko czy w końcu odpali i zagra wspaniale, na miarę swojego talentu?

W Wielkim Szlemie Nick nie osiągał jeszcze znakomitych rezultatów. Jego najlepsze wyniki to ćwierćfinały Wimbledonu 2014 i Australian Open 2015. Na kortach Rolanda Garrosa i US Open nie przebrnął jeszcze III rundy. Nie zmienia to jednak faktu, że tym razem 17. singlista świata musi być brany pod uwagę przy ustalaniu listy faworytów turnieju w Melbourne.

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Roger Federer i inni - zapowiedź turnieju mężczyzn Australian Open 2018
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Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev - 1 (skala ocen: 0-5)

Zdolny Niemiec wygrał w zeszłym roku dwa turnieje ATP World Tour Masters 1000 i przebojem wkroczył do Top 10. Nowy sezon powitał razem z Andżeliką Kerber w Perth, gdzie wspólnie dotarli do finału. Tenisista z Hamburga zajmuje czwarte miejsce w rankingu i ma wielkie ambicje, aby w końcu wspiąć się na wyżyny.

A turnieje Wielkiego Szlema były dotychczas dla Alexa prawdziwą bolączką. W zeszłym roku udało mu się osiągnąć tylko IV rundę Wimbledonu i ciągle w sferze marzeń pozostaje awans do ćwierćfinału. W Melbourne reprezentant naszych zachodnich sąsiadów wygrał w zeszłym roku jedynie dwa mecze. Teraz bardzo chce się poprawić.

Niekoniecznie faworyci, ale mogą zaskoczyć

Tradycyjnie w gronie kandydatów do zwycięstwa powinni się znaleźć tenisiści, którzy już wcześniej doświadczyli wielkoszlemowej chwały. W niezłej dyspozycji był w ostatnich dniach Argentyńczyk Juan Martin del Potro, choć w finale zawodów w Auckland przegrał z Roberto Bautistą. Namieszać także może Chorwat Marin Cilić. Pod wielkim znakiem zapytania stoi za to postawa Szwajcara Stana Wawrinki, który z powodu kontuzji kolana stracił drugą połowę sezonu 2017.


Zaskoczyć może na pewno Austriak Dominic Thiem, który dotychczas godne uwagi rezultaty w Wielkim Szlemie odnosił na kortach Rolanda Garrosa. Szybka nawierzchnia w Melbourne powinna służyć Kevinowi Andersonowi z RPA, finaliście zeszłorocznego US Open. Dobry tenis może pokazać również Belg David Goffin, który miał bardzo udaną końcówkę minionego sezonu. Godny uwagi jest francuski zaciąg - Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gael Monfils, Lucas Pouille, Richard Gasquet i Gilles Simon.

Przy okazji zawodów Wielkiego Szlema zawsze warto zwrócić uwagę na zdolną młodzież. W ostatnich tygodniach dał o sobie znać rewelacyjny Australijczyk Alex de Minaur. W drabince Australian Open 2018 znalazł się również zdolny Kanadyjczyk Denis Shapovalov. O niespodzianki mogą się także postarać Rosjanie Andriej Rublow i Danił Miedwiediew, Grek Stefanos Tsitsipas oraz Koreańczyk Hyeon Chung.

The Swiss returns to Australia one year after winning the title as the No. 17 seed

What a difference a year makes.

In 2017, Roger Federer entered the Australian Open as the 17th seed thanks to a six-month layoff due to injury. Even to the Swiss, a championship run seemed unlikely. But after winning seven matches — including four against players inside the Top 10 of the ATP Rankings — Federer had done the seemingly impossible, claiming his 18th Grand Slam title despite not competing since Wimbledon.

This time around, there will be no surprises. After a 19th major title at Wimbledon, three ATP World Tour Masters 1000 triumphs (Indian Wells, Miami, Shanghai) and seven overall trophies on the year, Federer is arguably the favourite as the ATP World Tour’s best get set to battle it out in Melbourne Park.

It does not hurt that Federer has built confidence from thriving under the utmost pressure in 2017, leading the ATP World Tour with a 13-3 (81.6 per cent) record in deciding sets. Only three players came within 10 per cent of Federer in the category — Novak Djokovic (80 per cent), David Goffin (78.6 per cent) and Stan Wawrinka (75 per cent).

There is even a slight chance that Federer could re-take the No. 1 ranking for the first time since 22 October 2012 — he’d have to retain the Australian Open title, with Nadal failing to advance to the quarter-finals. Will the 36-year-old continue his magical run of form to a 20th major trophy?

Here are three reasons why he may do just that:

1) Momentum, Momentum, Momentum

The statistics speak for themselves. Nobody won a higher ratio of matches in 2017 than Federer, who compiled a tremendous 52-5 (91. 2 per cent) record despite not playing in the six months prior to the campaign.

While three players — Rafael Nadal (67-11), David Goffin (59-24) and Alexander Zverev (55-22) — won more matches than him, they all lost significantly more, too. And additionally, Federer led the ATP World Tour with a 40-4 record on hard courts, which the Australian Open is contested on. The Swiss (90 per cent) was the only player to win more than 82 per cent of his matches on the surface.

Furthermore, Federer will take confidence knowing that he had success early in the season last year, winning 2017’s first three ‘Big Titles’ (Grand Slams and ATP World Tour Masters 1000s) in Melbourne, Indian Wells and Miami.

You May Also Like: Federer Extends 'Big Titles' Lead

Now, it is important to keep in mind that Federer did skip the clay court season, so he played far fewer matches than his rivals. Would he have enjoyed as much success on the quicker surfaces throughout the year if he used time and energy to take on the red dirt? Federer still had enough in the tank for a strong close to the campaign.

While he suffered a shocking defeat at the hands of David Goffin in the semi-finals of the Nitto ATP Finals, the end of the season was still impressive for Federer, who triumphed at the Shanghai Rolex Masters and the Swiss Indoors Basel.

2) Favourable Early Draw

Sure, there are plenty of dangerous opponents lurking in Federer’s half of the draw. The 36-year-old could face seventh seed David Goffin or the red-hot Juan Martin del Potro in the quarter-finals. If Federer advances to the semi-finals, a daunting quartet of possible competitors awaits — fourth seed Alexander Zverev, fifth seed Dominic Thiem, 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka and six-time winner Novak Djokovic.

But, with that being said, Federer needs to win one match at a time. And his path to the quarter-finals is a favourable one. In fact, his combined record against all possible opponents through the Round of 16 is 48-5. He has lost against only two of the 15 players — No. 22 Milos Raonic (10-3 FedEx ATP Head2Head) and No. 29 Richard Gasquet (16-2 FedEx ATP Head2Head). The top seed he could face before the quarter-finals is No. 13 Sam Querrey, against whom he holds a 3-0 FedEx ATP Head2Head series lead, which includes an 8-0 advantage in sets. None of their sets have been closer than 6-4.

And, don’t forget, Federer did beat four Top 10 players en route to his title in Melbourne last year. This road just appears slightly simpler — the benefits of being World No. 2 rather than the 17th seed. View Draw

3) Turning Around A Lopsided Rivalry

In 2017, Federer punctuated his dream run in Melbourne with a stunning comeback against Rafael Nadal, winning the final five games of a five-set thriller to claim his first Grand Slam title since 2012 Wimbledon.

But before that encounter, Federer had lost five of his past six matches against Nadal, as well as their previous six Grand Slam battles. In 2017, however, the Swiss turned the tide and won all four meetings, narrowing their FedExATP Head2Head to 23-15 in favour of the Spaniard.

While Nadal still has an eight-match lead in their rivalry, it is tough to ignore the fact that Federer has won their past seven sets, with all of them coming on hard court.

“I just think I'm not so scarred like maybe I have been in the past, not that I was horribly scarred in any way, but I did lose against him sometimes, a lot of the times especially on the clay courts,” Federer said after beating Nadal for the title in Shanghai last October. “I think I have also played him well. Clearly avoiding him — not playing him on clay has helped. So I'm able to stay on the hard courts or on faster courts against him, but I have been playing very well when I have faced off against him.”

Both players need to win six matches to have a chance of facing off in their 10th Grand Slam final (Nadal leads 6-3), but that momentum shift in their rivalry may certainly play a role if they do meet again.

Federer's Potential Path To The Australian Open Title

First Round


Aljaz Bedene

Second Round


Jan-Lennard Struff

Third Round


(29) Richard Gasquet

Fourth Round


(13) Sam Querrey

Quarter-final


(7) David Goffin

Semi-final


(4)Alexander Zverev

Final


(1) Rafael Nadal

Spaniard is going for Open Era history in Melbourne
It's the Grand Slam Rafael Nadal has won the least – one title at the Australian Open – but that may very well change during the Aussie fortnight. Here are five reasons why the Spaniard will hoist his second Norman Brookes Challenge Cup trophy on 28 January.

1. He's The No. 1 Player In The ATP Rankings
Say what you want about Nadal's knees or how he finished the 2017 season, having to withdraw from the Rolex Paris Masters and the Nitto ATP Finals. But Nadal still finished the season better than any other male player on the planet. And he made history doing so.

At the age of 31, the Spaniard became the oldest player to finish year-end No. 1 (since 1973). Nadal, who also finished on top in 2008, 2010 and 2013, also became the first player to hold, lose and regain the year-end No. 1 on three occasions. He was also the seventh player to finish the year at the best vantage point on the ATP World Tour on four or more occasions.

At the Australian Open, Nadal will still be No. 1, the top seed and the player to beat at Melbourne Park. “It’s been a fantastic season, a very emotional one after all the things I’ve been going through the last couple of years,” Nadal said last year after accepting the year-end No. 1 honour. “It’s not something I could’ve thought of one year ago, so it means a lot to me.”

Nadal, like nearly every player on the ATP World Tour, endured his share of nicks and bruises during the 2017 season. But the Spaniard has enjoyed ample time to rest and prepare for the new year.

He withdrew from the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals on 13 November. The Australian Open will be his first tournament since his final match at The O2 in London. That gives Nadal a more than two-month break to start the new year.

The rest should do Nadal's knees plenty of good as he looks to win his 17th Grand Slam title and avenge his 2017 Australian Open final loss to Roger Federer...

3. The Draw
The dangerously-seeded No. 14 Novak Djokovic and No. 9 Stan Wawrinka are on the other half of the draw, and Nadal has a favourable start in Melbourne, where he will try to become the first man in the Open Era to win each Grand Slam twice. Nadal could face the following road if the seeds and rankings hold: