Djokovic, from Riyadh to Perth
In addition to the exhibition he played this Wednesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic will represent Serbia at the United Cup (December 29 – January 7), the ATP mixed team competition . The world number 1 will enter the fray on Sunday in Perth against China’s Zhang Zhizhen before, two days later, facing the Czech Republic and Jiri Lehecka. He should also be lined up in mixed doubles with his compatriot Olga Danilovic.
If Serbia advances in the table, Djokovic could find some big names like Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, Hubert Hurkacz or Taylor Fritz.
Alcaraz, Medvedev and Sinner: in the fridge until Melbourne
Djokovic’s top three pursuers in the ATP rankings will not play an official match before the Australian Open. After a delicate end to the 2023 season, an exhibition in Mexico with Tommy Paul and a week of vacation in the Dominican Republic, the 2nd in the world Alcaraz favored two large training blocks at the Juan Carlos Ferrero academy in Alicante, from 8 to December 24 then a week upon his return from Riyadh. He will fly to Melbourne on January 7.
Daniil Medvedev took part in the World Tennis League in Abu Dhabi (December 21-24). The No. 3 at ATP also won the event with Andrey Rublev, Sofia Kenin and Mirra Andreeva. We won’t see the Russian again before the Australian Open.
Finally, Jannik Sinner, who ended his season very late with Italy’s Davis Cup coronation on November 26, will not go to Adelaide this time, preferring to start his year with the Australian Major. The Italian will still participate in the Kooyong Classic, an exhibition in the suburbs of Melbourne from January 10 to 12, with Dominic Thiem, Frances Tiafoe, Holger Rune, Karen Khachanov and Stan Wawrinka.
Nadal and Osaka, the returnees in Brisbane
After a year of absence for one, eighteen months for the other, Rafael Nadal and Naomi Osaka will make their comeback to competition in Brisbane (December 31 – January 7). Guests, the 37-year-old Spaniard, who prepared with several French players in December (Gabriel Debru, Arthur Fils and Richard Gasquet), and the 26-year-old Japanese, who became a mother in July, will test themselves before the Open d ‘Australia.
In Brisbane, Nadal will be accompanied by Holger Rune, Ben Shelton and Andy Murray. On the WTA side, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will be present.
Swiatek at the United Cup
Present in Abu Dhabi for the World Tennis League last week, Iga Swiatek will play the United Cup with Poland. In Perth, the world number 1 will face Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia on Saturday then Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo on Monday. She will be partnered with Hurkacz in mixed doubles.
Another headliner present in Perth, the American Jessica Pegula, who will face Great Britain’s Katie Boulter then Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic. Note that Coco Gauff will start her season in Auckland (January 1-7).
Caroline Garcia (Rob Prange/AFP7/Presse Sports)
French people scattered
French number 1, Ugo Humbert, will launch his year in Brisbane, just like Luca Van Assche and Grégoire Barrere. At the same time, Arthur Fils and Benjamin Bonzi will be in Hong Kong (January 1-7), a newcomer to the ATP calendar, headlined by Rublev.
French number 1 Caroline Garcia and Adrian Mannarino will compete in the United Cup in Sydney, with duels against Germany’s Zverev and Kerber and Italy’s Sonego and Paolini. Garcia is booked into Adelaide the following week (January 8-13). Varvara Gracheva will continue in Auckland and Hobart (January 8-13). It will be Brisbane and Hobart for Clara Burel.
Finally, the former Gaël Monfils and Richard Gasquet (37 years old each) will start 2024 in Auckland (January 8-13), in New Zealand where a large French contingent is expected (Mannarino, Fils, Monfils, Gasquet, Müller, Lestienne, Van Assche).
