No tennis player in history has won 25 Grand Slam singles titles, but Novak Djokovic has a chance to change that at the 2024 Australian Open.
The stars seem to be aligning for the Serb as he heads into his most successful major, but there is a big field of challengers looking to deny him another crown in Melbourne.
Welcome to the first edition of the 2024 National Bank Open Power Rankings. This week, we take a look at who is most likely to be lifting the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup at the end of January.
The National Bank Open Power Rankings are a group collaboration by the Power Rankings Panel which includes:
- Pete Borkowski – Content Editor, Tennis Canada
- Melissa Boyd – Content Writer, Tennis Canada
- Sarah-Jade Champagne – Content Specialist, Tennis Canada
- Edward Lee – Content Contributor, Tennis Canada
- Ben Lewis – Host, Match Point Canada
- Hugues Leger – Producer, Podcast Sur La Ligne
- Mike McIntyre – Host, Match Point Canada
- Abraham Santerre – Content Creator, Podcast Sur La Ligne
1. Novak Djokovic
Actual Ranking: 1
2024 Record: 2-1
Best Australian Open Result: Champion (10 times)
Djokovic is heading into the Australian Open after a shock loss to Alex de Minaur at the United Cup where he was nursing a wrist injury. However, he is also coming off a season where he won three of four Slams, the ATP Finals and finished the year at No. 1.
The 10-time Australian Open hasn't been beaten at the season's first major since 2017 and has openly stated his goal of completing the Calendar Golden Slam. Bet against him at your peril.
- Pete
2. Jannik Sinner
Actual Ranking: 4
2024 Record: 0-0
Best Australian Open Result: QF (2022)
Jannik Sinner’s sensational results in 2023 make him one to watch at the AO. The newly minted Davis Cup champion and ATP Finals runner-up will certainly want to keep building on his success.
Last year, the 22-year-old won four of the seven finals he fought in, including a huge victory at the National Bank Open. His two dismantlings of Novak Djokovic make him a tough opponent, and his fellow members of the ATP have learned they should never take a match against him lightly.
- Abraham
3. Carlos Alcaraz
Actual Ranking: 2
2024 Record: 0-0
Best Australian Open Result: R3 (2022)
While Carlos Alcaraz hasn’t played a competitive match heading into the first major of the year, the World No. 2 should absolutely be considered one of the very top contenders. The Aussie Open is the only Slam where Alcaraz has yet to attain the quarter-finals, but he has shown a very quick learning curve so far in his young career.
Read also: WTA Power Rankings - Who is the Australian Open Favourite?
He is guaranteed not to face Djokovic until the finals and should they meet, you know we’re in for a heck of a match!
- Mike
4. Daniil Medvedev
Actual Ranking: 3
2024 Record: 0-0
Best Australian Open Result: Runner-Up (Twice)
Daniil Medvedev won’t play a tune-up event ahead of Melbourne, though he hardly needs it. He’s a two-time Australian Open finalist, and will look to move past last year’s disappointment, a surprising third-round exit to Sebastian Korda.
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He’s one of the world’s very best hard-court players and a firm contender to win it all. He’s tall, savvy, agile, and deceptively quick, with a world class two-handed backhand and a powerful serve. The 27-year-old has the experience to go deep at slams. He also has the arsenal to win.
- Ben
5. Alexander Zverev
Actual Ranking: 6
2024 Record: 4-1
Best Australian Open Result: SF (2020)
As 2023 went along, Alexander Zverev started to regain his footing after a horrifying injury at the 2022 French Open set him back. He won two titles in the back half of the season and qualified for the ATP Finals.
The former world No. 2 got off to a strong start in 2024, winning four of his five singles matches at the United Cup, including Top 10 wins over Hubert Hurkacz and Stefanos Tsitsipas, while leading Germany to the title.
- Pete
6. Andrey Rublev
Actual Ranking: 5
2024 Record: 4-0
Best Australian Open Result: QF (Twice)
Andrey Rublev had the perfect start to his 2024, kicking off the season with a title at the Hong Kong Open. It moves him to 15 career ATP singles titles, an impressive feat that exceeds a number of his contemporaries.
His one Achilles Heel has been majors, where he’s gone 0-9 in Grand Slam quarter-finals. Can he finally break the spell? He’s reached the quarter-finals in two of the last three years in Melbourne.
- Ben
7. Alex de Minaur
Actual Ranking: 10
2024 Record: 3-1
Best Australian Open Result: R4 (Twice)
Alex de Minaur will be going into the Oz Open with a lot of confidence after his blazing wins over Novak Djokovic, Alex Zverev and Taylor Fritz at the United Cup.
He’s playing the best tennis of his life and will be focused on keeping the momentum going. Will 2024 be his year? One thing’s for sure: his fellow Australians in the stands in Melbourne are in for some exciting competition from their homegrown hero.
- Sarah-Jade
8. Holger Rune
Actual Ranking: 8
2024 Record: 4-1
Best Australian Open Result: R4 (2023)
20-year-old Holger Rune ended 2023 by qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time and has now started the New Year in good form as well by making the finals in Brisbane.
Read also: Top ATP Stories of 2023
In the late stages of last season, he secured none other than Boris Becker as his new coach. Becker won the Australian Open twice in his illustrious career and might be able to help Rune have a deep run there this year.
- Mike
9. Hubert Hurkacz
Actual Ranking: 9
2024 Record: 3-2
Best Australian Open Result: R4 (2023)
Seeing his country fall to Germany at the United Cup has Hubi chomping at the bit, but the fact remains that the 26-year-old has never made it past the fourth round in Melbourne.
Read also: At Least Five Canadians Set to Take Part in Australian Open
Will his powerful shots be enough to clear a path through this year’s draw and maybe even carry him all the way to the final showdown in one of his favourite cities?
- Sarah-Jade
10. Grigor Dimitrov
Actual Ranking: 13
2024 Record: 5-0
Best Australian Open Result: SF (2017)
Grigor Dimitrov hasn’t dipped his toes in the Top 10 since 2018, but he’ll dive back in this season if he can stay the current course. In Brisbane, he pocketed his first title since the 2017 ATP Finals.
He wrapped up 2023 with wins over Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Paris Masters, and it looks like the sky’s the limit for him in 2024.
- Abraham
The ATP's best return to Montreal this summer for the National Bank Open August 3 to 12, 2024 at IGA Stadium. 2024 Tickets are on sale. Get your tickets today!
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