What happens when professional tennis players enjoy a couple of months off from competition and get the chance to stay in one place, practicing for a few weeks? It results in a sharper, higher caliber of tennis.
The Australian Open, known for delivering numerous classic matches throughout its history, lived up to its reputation in the first week of 2024. Players had overcome jet lag, mostly healed from injuries, and, from what I witnessed, displayed exceptionally sharp gameplay.
This particularly applies to this week’s champions. Grigor Dimitrov, Coco Gauff, Andrey Rublev, Elena Rybakina, and Germany’s United Cup team not only claimed trophies but also showcased impressive performances. Despite the unexpected absence of three star returnees—Rafael Nadal, Naomi Osaka, and Emma Raducanu—from the semifinals in Brisbane and Auckland, they all had glimpses of promise. The most notable question mark for the new year, surprisingly, came from Novak Djokovic, the timeless master of the Australian Open, whose first loss in Australia since 2018 was partly attributed to a right-wrist injury suffered against Alex de Minaur.
So, what significance does this array of results hold for the imminent future, especially for the upcoming Aussie Open? Here are three key insights from the first week.
Dimitrov and Rublev resumed from where they last left off.
Rublev and Dimitrov represent different eras in the ATP; with the Bulgarian at 32 and the Russian at 26, they inhabit separate echelons of the rankings. Rublev consistently resides in the Top 10, presently holding the No. 5 spot, whereas Dimitrov, after lingering in the 20s and 30s for years, stands at No. 14. Despite these differences, they share a close friendship and both rank among the most amiable and well-liked players in men’s tennis, a trait that, apart from Nadal and Federer, doesn’t necessarily guarantee championship success.
The challenge lies in the fact that being “personable and popular” doesn’t always translate to becoming a champion in sports. Dimitrov and Rublev have often been criticized for potentially being “too nice” in their approach. However, after experiencing fluctuations in their performance levels and enduring several challenging defeats, they’ve managed to find a competitive edge without compromising their sportsmanship. Recently, Rublev claimed victory in Hong Kong, while Dimitrov secured his first title since 2017 by defeating top seed Holger Rune in Brisbane.
During the week, Dimitrov notably displayed increasing strength. Following a tight three-set match against Andy Murray in the initial round, he didn’t drop a single set thereafter. Recognized previously as “Baby Fed,” Dimitrov has always possessed a complete range of shots, but in Brisbane, he demonstrated a higher level of power and confidence in deploying them. Historically prone to double faults in crucial moments, against Rune, he instead delivered aces and service winners when the pressure was on in each set.
“It’s been a while since I held one of these; it’s a bit emotional,” expressed Dimitrov.
Dimitrov often displays emotion, whether in victory or defeat. Many fans are hopeful that this recent win for both him and Rublev indicates a promising start for their performances in 2024.
“First of all, Elena, whoa,” Aryna Sabalenka exclaimed after losing 6-0 6-3 to Elena Rybakina in the Brisbane final.
It’s challenging to find a better description for Rybakina’s performance on Sunday. She swiftly surged to a 5-0 lead within just 20 minutes. Her groundstrokes were impeccably clean and composed, and her return, an area she’s not primarily known for, was notably precise, reminiscent of Djokovic’s consistency. Despite Sabalenka making 65 first serves in the opening set, she only managed to win seven points in her service games. Rybakina’s dominant week saw her lose merely 15 games without dropping a set.
Perhaps having low expectations played a role for the Kazakh, who was unwell before Brisbane and had limited practice.
“This week was somewhat unexpected in terms of the result,” Rybakina commented, reflecting on her performance after dealing with illness. “It was about regaining shape and recovering from being unwell. Hopefully, I can continue playing well and feel comfortable on the court.”
Sixth WTA 🏆 for Elena Rybakina as she breezes past Sabalenka in the final for the 6-0, 6-3 win in Brisbane! pic.twitter.com/YFdAGoja36
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) January 7, 2024
If anyone rivaled Rybakina’s level of excellence this past week, it was de Minaur. Despite not clinching a title and his Australian team bowing out in the United Cup semifinals, it wasn’t due to any shortcomings on his part. The Demon remained undefeated against three Top 10 opponents—Taylor Fritz, Alexander Zverev, and, notably, Novak Djokovic. Consequently, he’s broken into the Top 10 for the first time, marking the first Australian man to achieve this feat since Lleyton Hewitt 18 years ago.
When questioned about his outstanding performance, de Minaur struck a defiant tone reminiscent of Rusty’s style.
“It comes from a lot of people not believing in me,” he remarked. “So, I’m just here to prove a lot of people wrong.”
Now that he’s entered the Top 10, a new question may arise: Can we envision de Minaur as a Grand Slam champion?
De Minaur’s exceptional performance in the United Cup will push him into the Top 10 rankings by Monday.
Coco Gauff delivered both familiar and new elements in her performance.
Her victory in Auckland last year showcased her winning abilities, but in 2024, she displayed a heightened level of refinement, particularly noticeable in her two least-favored shots: the serve and forehand. These strokes seemed more fluid and comprehensive than before, generating increased spin and shape. Despite wondering if Gauff might face added pressure after her US Open breakthrough, she showed no signs of it in her initial four matches, conceding only 13 games.
However, in her fifth match against Elina Svitolina, the pressure surfaced, reviving some past challenges. While leading 5-3 in the first set, Gauff lost two set points, struggled with confidence in her serve and forehand, and ultimately dropped the set in a tiebreak.
Is this the same old Coco or something different? Not entirely the same. This time, Coco exhibited a deeper reservoir of confidence akin to that of a major titleholder. Previously, she might have struggled to recover her serve after losing it, but on Sunday, she did just that. Despite losing the first set, she regrouped and outplayed Svitolina, someone she had never defeated before, particularly showcasing her offensive prowess with 32 winners compared to Svitolina’s 21. When confronted with a crucial break point in the final game, Gauff relied on her serve to secure the title-winning hold.
7th career WTA singles 🏆 for @CocoGauff as she beats Svitolina 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-3 to defend her Auckland crown 💪#ASBClassic pic.twitter.com/OMv1kxz4qr
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) January 7, 2024
