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Australian Open: Novak Djokovic’s chances at 2018 title

By Harry Floyd

BELGRADE, SERBIA - JULY 26: Novak Djokovic speaks to the media during the press conference at Novak Tennis Center on July 26, 2017 in Belgrade, Serbia. Twelve-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic has said he will not play again in 2017 because of an elbow injury. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
BELGRADE, SERBIA - JULY 26: Novak Djokovic speaks to the media during the press conference at Novak Tennis Center on July 26, 2017 in Belgrade, Serbia. Twelve-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic has said he will not play again in 2017 because of an elbow injury. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images) /
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Australian Open action is right around the corner. Here’s a look at six-time champion Novak Djokovic’s chances at winning the Grand Slam.

With the 2018 Australian Open right around the corner, Novak Djokovic and other top players in men’s and women’s tennis are gearing up for the major tournament.

Djokovic is a six-time winner at the Grand Slam event. He is currently projected as the third favorite behind defending champion Roger Federer and now world No. 1 Rafael Nadal. Last year, Federer defeated Nadal in the finals at Melbourne Park.

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The Serbian tennis star saw a 2017 ATP World Tour cut short due to injury. He and other top players such as Andy Murray suffered lingering injuries that required stepping away from the court in order to recover and look ahead to next year.

A healthy Novak Djokovic can win the title at the 2018 Australian Open.

The former world No. 1 is already gearing up for Grand Slam action. He is working hard in his recovery and appears in fine form during his offseason workouts. Djokovic has even added Radek Stepanek to his updated coaching team.

At 30-years-old, the Serbian still has plenty of tennis ahead of him. Federer is proof that age is just a number. The Swiss great’s stellar 2017 campaign showed the sport that he remains arguably the best in men’s tennis. Djokovic, who has 12 career Grand Slam singles titles, must rebound on the 2018 ATP World Tour if he hopes to continue chasing both Federer and Nadal.

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Melbourne Park is a place where Novak Djokovic feels at home. He last won a singles titles there at the 2016 Australian Open. That year, he completed back to back wins at the major tournament. Later that same year, he would win what is now his most recent Grand Slam at the French Open.

Look for Djokovic to come out strong in the early weeks of the 2018 ATP World Tour. He is already among the best ever in men’s singles tennis and ought to be eager to return to competitive ATP singles action. While several young stars are making names for themselves on the tour, players such as Djokovic will be the ones to beat if they are healthy. The Australian Open kicks off the Grand Slam circuit in less than two months. Stay tuned to see how Djokovic and others fare during 2018 action at Melbourne Park.

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