Misc Tennis

Australian Open 2024: When does it start? Schedule, seedings and draw

Australian Open 2024: When does it start? Schedule, seedings and draw

Defending men’s singles champion Novak Djokovic is aiming to extend his dominance in Melbourne with an 11th title, while Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka looks to retain the women’s trophy.

Serbia’s Djokovic, 36, is the top seed ahead of Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, Russia’s Daniil Medvedev and Italy’s Jannik Sinner.

Poland’s Iga Swiatek leads the women’s field after regaining the world number one ranking from Sabalenka at the end of last year.

Sabalenka is seeded second in front of American Coco Gauff, who won the US Open in September, and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.

And there are some familiar faces making their Grand Slam comebacks.

Britain’s 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu is in the early stages of her own comeback after wrist and ankle surgeries ruled her out for eight months. And Japan’s four-time major winner Naomi Osaka is also back after giving birth last year.

However, Spanish great Rafael Nadal will not feature after sustaining a hip injury at the Brisbane International.

Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at BBC Sport…