The first major tennis tournament of the year, the 2023 Australian Open will kick off with some major storylines set to unfold. The first is whether nine-time champion Novak Djokovic can match Rafael Nadal’s all-time Grand Slam record of 22 titles. Moreover, he is also attempting to become the first male player to win 10 Australian Open titles. Beyond “The Joker,” there is some uncertainty about who will challenge Djokovic with the No. 1 player in the world, Carlos Alcaraz, who is unable to compete due to injury. In his place will be two top players in, Daniil Medvedev and Nick Kyrgios, who some outlets as the next-best contenders favor.
For this report, SBS will be going over what to look for from the top contenders at the Australian Open, along with a prediction for who will take home the title.
| Favorites to win 2023 Australian Open (Men's Singles) |  |
|---|---|
| Novak Djokovic | -110 |
| Daniil Medvedev | +600 |
| Nick Kyrgios | +1200 |
As stated above, Djokovic is one of the most decorated tennis athletes of all time but has a shot at making even more history at this year’s Australian Open. After not participating in the 2022 iteration of the tournament, Joker is back to defend his title. Winning the Australian Open three years in a row twice (2011-2013 and 2019-2021), Djokovic has had wild success Down Under and has an overall record of 82-8 (91%) at the Australian Open. While he did not play in the U.S. Open last season (where he was among the favorites to win), he still was able to take home the 2022 Wimbledon title. With a career-winning percentage of 87.7% at major tournaments, Joker is again in the running to take home a record-tying Grand Slam title.
A former No. 1 player for 16 weeks back in 2022, Medvedev has made the finals of the last two Australian Opens and has been having more consistent success in Melbourne. With an overall record of 19-6 at the tournament, this is Medvedev’s second most successful Grand Slam tournament (he is 23-5 in the U.S. Open and won the 2021 title). Moreover, the 26-year-old’s preferred surface of play is hardcourt since his movement is not hampered and he can play to his strengths. Moreover, the Russian player is known as a sensational counterpuncher player, where he can wear opponents down with lengthy baseline rallies. Perhaps this is the Australian Open, where he finally breaks through for the title.
The last contender spotlight, Kyrgios is one of the most mercurial players in tennis, but he finally made his first Grand Slam final last year at Wimbledon after turning pro in 2012. With an overall record of 17-9 at the Australian Open, he has never made it past the quarterfinal stage but is still considered by some following the sport to be a dark horse favorite here. While he has never won an individual Grand Slam, he is coming off a solid 2022 in doubles play, where he and his partner, Thanasi Kokkinakis, won the Australian Open. Finally, he is one of only three players in history to have beaten the “Big Three” of Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Nadal. Though he certainly has an entertaining style of play, he will have to keep his emotions in check if he wants to secure his first-ever Grand Slam title.
Prediction: After taking off the 2022 installment of the Australian Open, this will be Djokovic’s big return tournament, with him taking home his 10th title in Australia.
After placing your wagers on the Australian Open, SBS has your back with a variety of resources to keep your tennis bets rolling. In regards to overall betting on the sport, the SBS tennis betting sites guide is a must-read for those that are looking for the latest betting markets on tennis. Moreover, for more lines on this tournament in particular, our Australian Open betting breakdown has you covered with all kinds of info on the latest matches for both men and women, so you are never missing out on the action. Finally, if you are perhaps looking for some more high-stakes action, then the VIP sports betting sites rundown is just for you. Here you can find more information about VIP betting and if it might be a fit for you.
About the Author
Chris Boline is a Reno-based business development professional and freelance sports writer with over a decade of experience covering the NBA G League, Los Angeles Chargers, and national football and basketball. His expertise spans the NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and motorsports, along with topical news, marketing, and promotional content. A proud University of Nevada graduate, Chris earned both his BS in Management & Economics (2015) and MBA (2023). He is active in the Reno community, serving on boards such as the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET, and the College of Business Alumni Association, where he was past president (2022–23). Notable honors include: - Two-time University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year honoree (2017, 2021) - 2021 NCET Professional Services Organization of the Year (with TAC) - 2016–17 Reno Bighorns MVP, awarded by the Sacramento Kings - Nevada Press Association Award for Best Sports Column (2015) - Former Editor-in-Chief of The Nevada Sagebrush Chris blends his passion for sports with a strong background in sales, marketing, and community engagement.
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