Challengers abound but Djokovic and Swiatek loom large at Australian Open

Competition is heightened across men’s and women’s draws but the top seeds remain the players to beat in Melbourne.

MAN TO BEAT: Serbia's Novak Djokovic plays a forehand return during an exhibition match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece ahead of the Australian Open tennis championships at Melbourne Park. Pic: Andy Wong, AP

In the promotional campaign released by the ATP this month to welcome in the new season, the governing body of men’s tennis underlined that it is determined to look towards its future. As numerous talented young players featured in the campaign, the poet James Massiah narrated the dawn of a new era in a sport that has moved on.

And yet, the tour’s ranking belies its narrative. There may be newer, fresher challengers, but the figure at the head of the sport and the man to beat remains the same as it has for well over a decade.