The new tennis season starts this week with the inaugural United Cup in Australia.
The mixed team event, running from 29 December to 8 January, will feature many of the world’s top players and offer a chance to gauge their form before the opening Grand Slam of the year – the Australian Open – starts on 16 January.
Before the first ball of the season is hit, we consider what the big tennis questions for 2023 might be and ask BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller for his verdict.
Will Nadal’s body hold up?
Rafael Nadal won two Grand Slam titles in 2022, taking his tally to a men’s record 22 major singles trophies.
It was something of a resurgence for the 36-year-old – he had not won back-to-back Grand Slams for 12 years – and his 14th French Open title came despite having “no feeling” in his left foot as he was having multiple injections to numb chronic foot pain.
After the victory in Paris he had a nerve-burning treatment so that he could avoid further jabs and he went on to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals before withdrawing with an abdominal injury.
He shed tears in September when he played alongside Roger Federer as the Swiss called time on his career and while Nadal’s mind clearly wants to continue playing tennis at the highest level, it seems that his body is becoming increasingly reluctant and it may not be too long before he follows his great rival into retirement.
Nadal will play at the United Cup so we should get an early clue as to what his physical condition looks like before he defends his Australian Open title.
Russell Fuller’s verdict: Not entirely, I suspect, but Nadal proved last year he can still win Grand Slams in between rest periods. And he is a past master at getting himself fit for the second week at Roland Garros.
What reception will Djokovic get in Australia?
A year ago Novak Djokovic was deported from Australia before he could begin the defence of his title after his visa was cancelled in a row over his Covid-19 vaccine status.
He was automatically banned from entering the country for three years but that has been overturned and the former world number one will now return to Melbourne seeking a record-extending 10th title.
The saga dominated the headlines in the build-up last year, splitting public opinion, and it is unclear what kind of reception the Serb will get when he walks out on court. Tournament director Craig Tiley said last…
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