Who Will Win the Australian Open?

Lauren LynchJan 12, 2011

Get all the latest tennis news from www.TennisNow.com

January 12, 2011

Well, it is certainly hard to make a guess as to who is going to win the Australian Open at the start of what is bound to be one of the most competitive tournaments in recent history. Everyone is looking to upset Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, as the top two players battle it out as to who exactly will be cemented as the late-20th and early-21st century’s best, or even the esteemed Greatest Of All Time. There are some seriously great players in tennis right now that seem to be overshadowed by this "greater than thou" mentality of which of those two is going to win the Australian Open.

Well, here is my guess: Novak Djokovic. The young Serbian has certainly come close this past year and even won the Australian Open title in 2008. In 2010, he not only made the semifinals of Wimbledon and the finals of the US Open, but helped Serbia clinch the Davis Cup title and won the China Open. Already this year, he has helped dominate the Hopman Cup, but had to withdraw because of fellow Serbian partner Ana Ivanovic’s injury. He is young, plays extremely well on hard surfaces and is primed to dominate.

When it comes to the WTA, things are really up in the air. A couple of weeks ago, I would have certainly pegged Caroline Wozniacki to be the winner. But now, I don’t think that’s going to happen. In fact, I almost guarantee her going out before the fourth round. And with Serena Williams not playing, I would put my money on her sister, Venus, as she seeks to protect the Williams name. In the past eight years of the Australian open, there has been a Williams in the final, with one of them winning five of those tournaments (granted, the five winners were Serena, with Venus as the one runner-up).

So please, place your bets now so that you can thank me later.