HOMELAND favorite Ashleigh Barty and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic are the top seeds for the upcoming Australian Open.
Barty, 25, has been the WTA year-end No. 1 three straight years but has never won the Grand Slam event, which begins Monday in Melbourne.
The two-time Grand Slam champion’s best finish in the Australian Open was reaching the semifinals in 2020.
Perhaps eager to achieve that first title, Barty withdrew from this week’s Sydney Tennis Classic. She won the singles and doubles title at Adelaide last week.
“Unfortunately, I am withdrawing from the Sydney Tennis Classic to have some time to recover before the Australian Open,” Barty said in a statement. “I’m sorry I won’t get the chance to play in front of the Sydney fans this year. I hope to see you all again soon. I wish the players and the tournament team all the best for the week ahead.”
Djokovic is a nine-time event winner whose presence is creating quite a stir in the Land Down Under due to his visa situation.
The 34-year-old Serbian is unvaccinated and initially had his visa revoked upon arriving in Australia. He has since won an appeal to remain in the country but there is still a chance, he could have the visa canceled before the tournament starts. — Field Level Media
