To start his quest for an 11th Australian Open title, top seed Novak Djokovic was drawn on Thursday against a fortunate loser or qualifier. In the third round, he may face fellow Grand Slam winner Andy Murray.
After defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the previous year’s final, the Serbian, who has won 24 majors, went on to win the US Open and French Open.
The 36-year-old, however, will start his defence under duress because of a wrist issue that hindered him in the United Cup, when he was defeated by Australian Alex De Minaur.
Greek seventh seed Tsitsipas has a tough task to repeat his 2023 feat with former top 10 Italian Matteo Berrettini his opening opponent and Djokovic a potential quarterfinalist.
Spanish world number two Carlos Alcaraz, the only man to beat Djokovic at a Slam last year to win Wimbledon, gets his campaign underway against French veteran Richard Gasquet.
Like Djokovic, third seed Daniil Medvedev, a Melbourne finalist in 2021 and 2022, drew a qualifier in the first round.
The Russian could face 27th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the third round, with the Canadian facing a stern opening test against former world number three Dominic Thiem.
On the women’s side, Polish top seed Iga Swiatek will open her account with a blockbuster rematch of the 2020 Roland Garros final that she won against Sofia Kenin, who went into that match as the Australian Open champion.
There will be no let-up for whoever wins, with a second-round clash looming against either 2016 Australian Open winner Angelique Kerber or 2022 Melbourne Park finalist Danielle Collins.
Two-time champion Naomi Osaka also faces a daunting task after being pitted against French 16th seed Caroline Garcia in her first major since having a baby.
