It’s strange to consider a record-equalling champion as a great unknown. But Novak Djokovic, who shares a record of six Australian Open titles with Roy Emerson, is arguably not the same player who has thrived at Melbourne Park for much of his career.
Struck by an elbow injury in 2017, the Serb spent the past six months on the sidelines. While most of his 52 major campaigns have started with justifiable title hopes, he is happy now to start at all. “I'm just glad to be back playing tennis, having an opportunity to compete yet again in the big tournaments,” Djokovic explained.
He does so as a new-look Novak, the service motion adapted to incorporate a shorter backswing that helps his troubled arm. There’s also a new-look team, the No.14 seed now coached by the recently-retired Radek Stepanek, along with four-time Australian Open champion Andre Agassi.
Change came in other ways too for Djokovic, who became a father for the second time when daughter Tara was born in September last year. Creating more time to spend with his growing family, the injury break provided a silver lining, of sorts. “There is a life outside of tennis tour as well,” he pointed out. “I was happy to refresh my mind.”
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Positivity is therefore most apparent as Djokovic begins his 14th Australian Open campaign on Tuesday against world No.63 American Donald Young, whom he has defeated twice before. The most recent of those matches was in the quarterfinals of 2017 Eastbourne, where the Serb went on to win a confidence-boosting 68th title before his break.
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Stan Wawrinka also returns as a different prospect than the one who claimed a first Grand Slam title at AO2014. Grappling with a knee injury, the Swiss underwent surgery after a first-round loss at Wimbledon in 2017, and has not played any pro tennis since.
Wawrinka’s challenges could come as much from his body as they will from first-round opponent Ricardas Berankis, a world No.136 Lithuanian who he meets for the first time. “I know I'm not at the level I want to be yet because it's a long process to get there,” the 32-year-old admitted pre-tournament. “The fact that I'm here and I'm going to play the first one (after surgery), it's a big victory.”
Roger Federer is naturally the perfect role model for those returning champions, given his unlikely 2017 victory after an uncharacteristic break. But even in full health, at world No.2 and with the confidence of four match wins as Switzerland claimed the recent Hopman Cup, Federer is aware that every match – including Tuesday’s first round against first-time opponent Aljaz Bedene – presents a new test. “I play down my chances just because I don't think a 36-year-old should be a favourite of a tournament, it should not be the case,” he said.
Former Australian Open champions in Angelique Kerber and Maria Sharapova – facing Anna-Lena Friedsam and Tatjana Maria respectively – also take to the court in the women’s draw.
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The winner of nine straight matches in 2018 after leading Germany to the Hopman Cup final and winning an 11th career title in Sydney, Kerber appears back to the form that took her to a first Grand Slam title at AO2016. There’s less certainty around 2008 champion Sharapova, who has played just one Grand Slam since her 15-month absence from the tour.
Much in the tennis world can change in an extended time away from it – but as a smiling Djokovic noted, a fresh approach can also be a positive thing.
“It’s different circumstances. But it’s exciting,” he said ahead of his highly-anticipated return.
“Honestly, it’s a good place to be.”