The Australian Open, the first grand slam of the year, got underway this morning. Besides the Dakar Rally, this is the first premier sporting event of the year and many will be watching with awesome anticipation and expectancy of their favourites to achieve. Ultimately we have thought of 5 questions that will be answered at the 2014 Australian Open.
Will anyone stop the Serena Williams?
Serena Williams is currently the undisputed leader in World Tennis. Her 2013 domination culminated in her winning her 17th Major Singles title at the US Open. She heads to Australia as the favourite having previously bagged five singles titles in the land down under and with an 18th major would match Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert. How is this for her 2013 record, played 82 won 78! Oh and she came into the Australian Open by winning the Brisbane International with victories against Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka.
Will Rafa’s left arm get any bigger?
Seriously, has there ever been a more lopsided individual in sport?
Will Roger Federer officially become Fed ex?
Okay, jest aside, but this one is a serious question. Roger Federer has been in a steady decline and 2013 was comfortably his worst year since the early years. He has responded to his single-title year by appointing Stefan Edberg as his new coach, a coach who has been talking the talk in the media. Of course the larger question is whether Federer can walk the walk. He no longer gets the easier draw as his ranking has declined and there are a few fears that Federer may be leaving with a whimper, rather than the roar his career deserves.
Can Stan the man or Juan the One finally break the stranglehold of the Big 4?
Fans of tennis around the world are constantly looking for the player that can break into the stranglehold of the Big Four (Nadal, Federer, Djokovic and Murray), rightfully so. Since Marat Safin won the Australian Open in 2005, the 33 Grand Slams have seen 32 won by the big four. Only Juan Martin del Potro broke this run when he won the US Open in 2009, many think its time for him to do it again. The other men that will garner interest will be David Ferrer after his outstanding 2013, Jo Wilfried Tsonga, who has a brilliant ability on his day and of course Stanislas Wawrinka who is emerging from the rather large shadow of Roger Federer. Can anyone of them break the big four this year? I don’t think so, but it would make fantastic viewing.
Will anyone in South Africa actually care how Kevin Anderson does?
Here is an even bigger question, does anyone know that Kevin came from 2 sets down to beat Vesely this morning? The tall America loving South African constantly breaks opinion as many feel he does not put the proudly into South African. That being said he is the first South African to make the top 20 since Wayne Ferreira and has the ability to make week 2. It gives South Africans an added incentive to watch the Australian Open, but I don’t think it matters to most.
What else are you looking forward to at the Australian Open?