A bite-sized preview to get you ready for Australian Open 2018, for those who need to know, and fast!
1. Rafael Nadal
Rafa’s face after he lost to Roger in the final said it all. Sore knee or not, the world No.1 will be out for revenge.
2. Roger Federer
Roger's the GOAT. We know that. But by how much is he better than Nadal and Nole? A 20th major would make the gap insurmountable.
3. Grigor Dimitrov
A maiden Masters trophy and ATP finals crown in 2017 would suggest Dimitrov is on the precipice of a Grand Slam. Will he take the final step?
4. Alexander Zverev
It’s not a question of ‘if’ Sascha wins a Grand Slam, it’s ‘when’. Needs to improve stamina and maturity for two weeks of best-of-fives.
5. Dominic Thiem
Thiem's win percentage on clay: 83%. And on hard: 52%. He'll need to adapt to quicker surfaces if he wants to go deeper in Melbourne.
6. Marin Cilic
Since 2011, Cilic has failed to make it past the 4th round of the AO. With Bjorkman out, perhaps a new coach will do the trick?
7. David Goffin
1st round in 2013. 2nd round in 2014. 4th round in 2016. Quarterfinals in 2017. Semis in 2018?
8. Jack Sock
After struggling at all four majors, Sock caught fire at the end of the year. Will the flame continue to burn in Melbourne?
9. Stan Wawrinka
Stan almost called it quits after hurting his knee this year. He's now back to full health but match fitness may be a worry.
10. Pablo Carreno Busta
Quarters in France and semis in New York, Pablo enjoyed Slam success in 2017 - but will that continue with increased competition?
11. Juan Martin del Potro
Ended 2017 in scary-good form and he's capable of beating anyone on his day. Despite no real success in Melbourne, he's definitely a smokey.
12. Novak Djokovic
Milos Raonic said Roger proved a lot of people wrong when he took a chunk of 2016 off to get ripe for the AO – can Novak do the same?
13. Sam Querrey
Maybe it’s just not Sam’s Slam? Since 2007, Querrey has failed to make it past the third round of the Australian Open – will 2018 be any different? Here's hoping.
14. Kevin Anderson
After three straight 4th rounds from '13-'15, KA has fallen off an Australian Open cliff. Will the recent US Open final get him back on track?
15. Jo-Wilfred Tsonga
After a down year, can Tsonga use the Australian Open to bounce back? Always good for the 2nd week in Melbourne.
16. Andy Murray
With a sore hip, 2017's top seed is racing against time to be fit for Melbourne. You would hate to be on his side of the draw.
17. John Isner
See Querrey, Sam. Through 10 years, Isner's game hasn't been cut out for two gruelling weeks of best-of-fives. Will that change? Again, here's hoping.
18. Lucas Pouille
The good: only man to win a title on all three surfaces in 2017. The bad: never made it past the first round of the Australian Open.
19. Tomas Berdych
An Australian Open favourite. Berdych has made the QF or SF six of the past seven years but a down year suggests he's on the way out. Hope not.
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20. Roberto Bautista Agut
Agut has been sneaky-good at the Australian Open; reached the final 16 three times from the past four years - can he take the next step?
21. Nick Kyrgios
Three years on since Nick's magical quarterfinal run in Melbourne. Fans are hungry for another one. A happy and healthy Nick will oblige.
22. Kei Nishikori
If he wasn't coming off a lengthy hiatus you would pencil Kei in for the quarters. But after so much time off it's hard to say.
23. Albert Ramos-Vinolas
Has made it past the first round of the Australian Open once in his career. Like Thiem, needs to improve on quicker courts.
24. Milos Raonic
Declared he was ‘100%’ healthy but only ‘80%’ match-fit this month. Will use Brisbane to get ready for (hopefully) another successful AO campaign.
25. Gilles Muller
At 34, Muller is getting to the pointy end. Won a title in Sydney last year but failed to do any real damage at the Australian Open.
26. Diego Schwartzman
Little highlight machine hasn't been much more than that so far in his career - but a New York QF and a final in Antwerp points to a breakout year.
27. Fabio Fognini
At 30-years-old time is running out for Fabio to make his mark in Melbourne. Anything past the second round would be a win.
28. Adrian Mannarino
With five of eight AO campaigns ending in 1st-round exits, Mannarino has struggled with the intensity of Grand Slams. Can that change in '18?
29. Philipp Kohlschreiber
The German has squeezed every bit of production his body will allow. Probably won’t win it all, but could he pull off a 2016 Verdasco?
30. Damir Dzumhur
Struggled at majors but was still able to nab two titles in 2017. Playing with a lot more composure now - a QF is not out of the question.
31. Richard Gasquet
At 31-years-old and coming off two 1st-round exits in London and NY, it’s hard to see the classy all-rounder threatening any of the top guys in Melbourne.
32. Pablo Cuevas
A clay court specialist who has found things difficult at the AO, the extent to Cuevas’ success will depend on his place in the main draw.