After Novak Djokovic’s departure, the focus in Melbourne is finally back on the sport. In an interview with blue Sport, tennis expert Heinz Günthardt analyzes the top favorites and assesses Belinda Bencic’s chances at the Australian Open.
The Australian Open started on Monday. Due to the absence of the defending champion and world number one Novak Djokovic, the list of favorites for men is getting longer. Will Rafael Nadal win his 21st Gand Slam title, surpassing Djokovic and Roger Federer?
Heinz Günthardt does not count the Spaniard among the greatest contenders for the triumph. «Favorite number 1 is Alexander Zverev. I think the time has come (for his first Grand Slam title). He won the Olympics, he won the finals and was in the US Open final,” said the 62-year-old. “Until now, he failed because of his own requirements. Maybe winning the Olympics helped him get over that hurdle.”
He also believes Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas can win the title. “On paper, one of these three would have to do it,” believes Günthardt. Nadal, on the other hand, is a big question mark. Due to his injuries, Günthardt does not count the Spaniard among the favourites, “but he certainly has outsider chances”.
Big chances for the Swiss
The race for women is also open. Günthardt has a lot of confidence in the Swiss women. “Belinda Bencic, Jil Teichmann and Viktorija Golubic have already proven that they can beat the best players. Why shouldn’t they be able to do that at the Australian Open too?” asks the tennis expert. “On a list of the 30 best players, Bencic, Teichmann and Golubic would certainly be on it.”
Olympic champion Bencic in particular would have a good chance of winning the tournament. “Everyone has a lot of respect for Bencic,” said Günthardt. “She is very dangerous and there are very few players who like to play against Belinda.”
