Can Novak Djokovic further cement his place in history by winning a 25th Grand Slam title? Or maybe Jannik Sinner will break through for his first?
And speaking of firsts, can Ons Jabeur, a three-time Grand Slam finalist, finally win it all? Or will Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina or defending champ Aryna Sabalenka take the title?
Our experts make their predictions as the Australian Open starts Sunday.
Who do you think will win the men’s singles title and why?
Pam Shriver: How can you not pick the guy who has won 10 Australian Opens and came within one match of winning all four majors last year? Djokovic is the favorite, but Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune are waiting if his level drops.
Rennae Stubbs: Djokovic is the favorite again. There is no one better in a major than Djokovic, especially here in Melbourne. His record here is unmatched, and over five sets he will once again hold the trophy.
Patrick McEnroe: It’s time for Sinner. He had a great finish to 2023, and he’s ready to take the next step.
Brad Gilbert: If anyone other than Djokovic is to win it, I’d pick Sinner. He is looking very ready, and is capable of winning a Slam this year. But I’d have to see someone beat Djokovic on Centre Court to believe he can be beaten.
Jarryd Barca: In 2024, it’s Sinner’s time. The 22-year-old appears primed to win a maiden Australian Open after a brilliant 2023 season, in which he won ATP titles in Toronto, Beijing and Vienna, and took care of Djokovic during Italy’s Davis Cup triumph in November. He’s reached at least a quarterfinal in every Grand Slam, gets his preferred court surface in Melbourne and, as we’ve seen time and again, has enough tools in his arsenal to topple the world’s best players under pressure.
Bill Connelly: I am all-in on 2024 being a breakthrough year for Sinner, but I’m not brave enough to pick anyone other than Djokovic here, not when he’s won 28 straight Australian Open matches, and not when he’s lost to just three players in a best-of-five since 2019. Granted, two of those players are in this field (Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev), but he went 5-2 against those two in 2023, too. He remains the gold standard.
Tom Hamilton: So without meaning to be too predictable, it’s going to be Djokovic. He teased with potentially winning the Golden Slam in 2021 with the delayed Olympics, only to come unstuck in…
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