The build up to this Grand Slam has been a build up like no other, probably in the history of tennis.
The headlines over the past two weeks have been all about Novak Djokovic, the world number one, tournament favourite and defending champion who has won this title a record 9 times and was looking to overtake both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for the number of Grand Slam titles won in his career.
However as someone who is famously opposed to vaccination he has faced fierce criticism from the Australian public ever since it was announced that he was entering the country on a medical exemption when the Australian population have been under some of the toughest Covid-19 restrictions in the world over the last 2 years.
He's spent much of the last two weeks in a detention hotel which has highlighted another issue of asylum seekers. However it all came to a climax earlier today when Djokovic's second appeal against deportation was heard by three judges and the decision of the Immigration Minister to cancel his visa was upheld and shortly afterwards Djokovic turned up at Melbourne Airport and was on a flight to Dubai.
So now we head into the tournament which starts in 2 and a half hours' time and hopefully with Djokovic no longer there we can focus on the tennis - after all as Rafael Nadal (who is looking to become the all-time leading men's Grand Slam champion himself) said the other day "there is no one player in history that's more important than an event."
We have some big players involved on day one. Nadal will play Marcos Giron, 2021 Queen's champion Matteo Berrettini plays Brandon Nakashima, Sascha Zverev plays fellow German Daniel Altmeier and we have British interest with Cam Norrie playing Sebastian Korda.
Here's to a great two weeks of tennis.
Results 1 to 30 of 146
Thread: 2022 Australian Open
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16-01-2022 08:30 PM #1
2022 Australian Open
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16-01-2022 11:12 PM #2
Would obviously love to see Andy Murray have a successful tournament but it's a big ask and even his first round match looks tough. I'd also like to see Cameron Norrie do well.
Be good if Nadal could win it. There seems to be an assumption that it's just a matter of time before Djokovic finally eclipses Nadal and Federer but if Nadal were to get to 21 Slams (and maybe even follow up at the French) it's suddenly a whole lot harder for Djokovic as he approaches his 35th birthday and a number of younger players finally looking capable of displacing the old guard.
Nadal's only won this title once though so probably a long shot at his age.Last edited by He's here!; 16-01-2022 at 11:14 PM.
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16-01-2022 11:37 PM #3This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
Although Nadal's only won the Australian Open once he does have a decent record there as he's also been into the final on a further four occasions.
I think Medvedev or perhaps Tsitsipas will be the tips for the tournament. They are in the same half of the draw though so they'll probably play each other in the semis.
Medvedev v Zverev final.
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17-01-2022 05:53 AM #4
Disappointing result for Cam Norrie as he loses in straight sets to Sebastian Korda.
Easy win for Nadal.
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17-01-2022 07:17 AM #5
It's going to be an early rise for any UK based Andy Murray fans tomorrow as his first round match v Nikoloz Basilashvili is due to start at 4am GMT.
Dan Evans not much better on at 3:30am v David Goffin.
Emma Raducanu plays in her first Grand Slam match since her win at last year's US Open and she has a tough match v Sloane Stephens - match due on at 10am GMT.
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17-01-2022 01:59 PM #6This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
Suspect Radacanu will struggle to win her opening match based on recent form. Hopefully she'll prove me wrong, although it's not entirely surprising she's been up and down since her stunning US Open win, which came almost out of nowhere.
I see Coco Gauff has gone out in straight sets in her first round match. Another young woman who may be finding the pressure of becoming an overnight 'name' hard to cope with.
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17-01-2022 05:07 PM #7This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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17-01-2022 06:00 PM #8This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
Raducanu really has no form going into the tournament though and has barely won a match since winning the US Open.
Raducanu is the favourite with the bookies and if I was a gambler I would be placing a decent amount on Stephens.
Gauff is one who I really thought could go far. She's still only 17 so may still do it of course.
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18-01-2022 03:08 AM #10
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Andy Murray match starting now.
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18-01-2022 03:33 AM #11This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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18-01-2022 03:36 AM #12
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This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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18-01-2022 07:03 AM #15
Unbelievable. I've just woken up and expected this to be over long ago!
Triple match point, Murray!!
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18-01-2022 07:06 AM #18
Listening to the Murray match on 5Live whilst walking to work. If anything listening to Murray is even more nerve wracking than watching him.
Some achievement from him. Again.PM Awards General Poster of The Year 2015, 2016, 2017. Probably robbed in other years
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18-01-2022 07:09 AM #19
He never makes it easy does he? Going to bed now thankfully. I’m one happy woman.
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18-01-2022 07:09 AM #20
What's all the booing about? Djokovic fans I assume? Murray's getting it now.
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18-01-2022 07:12 AM #21
Murray now plays qualifier Taro Daniel in round two, probably on Thursday.
He should be looking to win that one.
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18-01-2022 07:13 AM #22
Who are the clowns doing the booing or am I missing some edgy banter that's gone over my head?
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18-01-2022 07:15 AM #23This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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18-01-2022 07:16 AM #24This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
Certainly would not be tolerated at Wimbledon.
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18-01-2022 07:19 AM #25This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park
"Sad to report the cringiest cheer in Premier League football has arrived at Melbourne Park.
Hearing what you think are boos on the 5 Live comms? Nope, pretty sure they are 'Siuuuuus'.
That's the thing Cristiano Ronaldo shouts - with 75,000 Manchester United fans joining in - when he scores."
I have no idea what this is all about and I hope to hell it stops pronto. Murray even had a go at them in his speech.
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18-01-2022 07:43 AM #26This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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18-01-2022 08:27 AM #28
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Kyrgios great fun to watch great player when it’s all going right for him.
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18-01-2022 08:47 AM #29
Kyrgios two sets up v Broady - seems to be a match being played in the right spirit.
On the other hand this booing/siuuuuing or whatever it is, is really irritating and needs binned.
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18-01-2022 08:56 AM #30This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote
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