The Australian Open can deliver new thrills after Novak Djokovic saga

There could be an element of surprise this year in the player who lifts the trophy, writes Jack Rathborn

Less heralded storylines can be obscured by the Goat of men’s tennis debate (AP)

The sights and sounds of Melbourne Park are finally here, with Novak Djokovic back in Europe after the trials and tribulations of the past 10 days.

Crucially, we now have a grand slam to cover and both the men’s and women’s tournaments have a captivating feel layered with variety throughout each draw. This has seldom been the case in grand slams for almost two decades, given the prominence of several legendary players in this era, meaning the next fortnight has enormous potential.

Without the deported Djokovic and injuries depriving us of the majestic strokes of Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Dominic Thiem and Karolína Plíšková, there could be an element of surprise this year in the player who lifts the trophy.

There is still star power sprinkled across both draws though, and there is nobody more adored this month than home favourite Ashleigh Barty. She now has the steely look since capturing the Wimbledon crown last summer, for that elusive second grand slam. But despite Barty’s leap, the tournament lacks an aura of invincibility around its contenders, which is crucial for the audience.

Naomi Osaka’s ceiling is high, but the Japanese star is still easing back following her hiatus from the sport. And speaking of ceilings, the women’s game has an incredibly exciting future, with Emma Raducanu primed to play a big part.

The Briton offered us a glimpse of the irresistible tennis we can expect to see from her at various points over the next decade in her fairytale run in New York. But the struggles experienced since promise a fascinating challenge in this next chapter of her journey.

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Daniil Medvedev has the potential to be dominant, but the Russian is still searching for that ruthless streak. Rafael Nadal cannot be written off, though his success appears contingent on whether his body can hold up to the rigours of grand slam tennis. Fellow great Andy Murray is back again, and determined to capitalise since revitalising his body in recent years.

It will be exciting to capture all of this, shining a light on some of the less heralded storylines that can be obscured by the Goat of men’s tennis debate, each time Djokovic attempts to break a three-way tie with Nadal and Federer.

So it will be crucial to summarise the best matches and moments that fans in Europe will miss while asleep, before shifting the focus onto the late games under the lights. It promises to be a historic fortnight and we can’t wait to be across it all.

Yours,

Jack Rathborn

Assistant sports editor