Ivan Pasquariello, Editor in Chief
Men’s Winner: Novak Djokovic
After watching the Serb playing in Doha there is no way I see him losing to anyone this year in Australia. His biggest competition have been pitted tougher draws (look at Federer’s for instance) and hasn’t look as fresh and brilliant as the Serb has in the first part of the season. A big threat for Novak in Australia can be Stan Wawrinka, but the Swiss would have to beat both Nadal and Murray to make it to the last act. Djokovic is the favourite by far.
Women’s Winner: Victoria Azarenka
Is good to see her back at her level. A two-time champion in Melbourne she has the game to beat anyone. With Serena half-injured and the others pulling out of tournaments last minute, Vika is also the only serious contender who has already won a title this year.
Possible Surprise: Camila Giorgi
There is a chance that Serena could go out in the first round, if the Italian finds a good day. On the men’s side watch out for David Goffin.
Adam Addicott, Co-Editor in Chief – Team Coordinator
Men’s Winner: Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic is without a doubt the one to win the title. His display against Rafael Nadal has clearly shown that he is still in the same form as his record breaking 2015. The likes of Roger Federer and Andy Murray will be stern a test for the Serbian but he has the edge with his game.
Women’s Winner: Serena Williams
There are lots on uncertainty surrounds the Womens draw following injury concerns surrounding Serena Williams, Simona Halep and Maria Sharapova. I believe that Serena Williams is still the strongest contender for two reasons. The first is that she would be eager to claim the title to remind everybody how dominant she is following her shock US Open loss. The second reason is because the American always have a way to get herself out of troublesome moments. Her play might not always be pretty, but it mostly produces the right results in the big tournaments.
Possible Surprises:
Victoria Azarenka is a dangerous player in the women’s draw. Twice a champion in Melbourne, she also recently won the Brisbane International title. She recently said in an interview that ‘her best is yet to come’ and I believe that. Regarding the men’s draw, I think section six of the draw could pave the way for an unexpected contender. In that section is Stan Wawrinka and Milos Raonic. Both men have kicked-off this season with titles (Wawrinka in Chennai and Raonic in Brisbane) and they have the weapons to trouble the players. Wawrinka is a two-time Grand Slam champion and Raonic has a fresh confidence boost following his win against Roger Federer in Brisbane.
Andrew Moss, Editorial Team
Men’s Winner: Novak Djokovic
Djokovic has been playing other-world tennis for over a year now. In Doha last week, Nadal agreed: “I know nobody playing tennis like this ever.” Barring injury, who will beat him?
Women’s Winner: Garbine Muguruza
2015 was the Spaniard’s breakthrough year highlighted by a run to the Wimbledon final. Now ranked 3 with a powerful game to take on the best, the only question mark is whether, having pulled out from WTA Brisbane last week, she is fully fit.
Surprise winners
Men: Nick Kyrgios. A potent mix of talent, belief, big match temperament and home support might just dig out the title for the 20 year old. He also seems more at ease with himself recently and no one, perhaps even Djokovic, will want him in their path.
Women: Agnieszka Radwanska. The Pole is the WTA’s form horse and is overdue a slam. Her belief will be strengthened by winning the year end championships in Singapore and she won in China just last week. The litany of injuries and illnesses among the the rest of the top 10 may be overstated but may be equally be important for Radwanska to win.
Diego Sampaolo, Editor – Reports & Results
Men’s Winner: Novak Djokovic
Djokovic is the favourite as he really wants the Grand Slam and is stronger than the other players at the moment. He plays very well in Australia.
Women’s Winner: Agnieszka Radwanska
Aga Radwanska will pick up where she left off in 2015 and will win her first Grand Slam title. She plays the best game in the tour at the moment
Surprise Winners:
Stan Wawrinka can reach the final again in Melbourne and could pose a threat to Djokovic’s reign. Vika Azarenka could be the surprise as she is on fire at the moment and thrives when she plays in Australia.
Bruno Bergareche Sans, Editorial Team
1) Despite wanting to be original I can only say Novak Djokovic and more so after seeing his performance in Doha. The win against Rafael Nadal in the final is a clear sign of the gap between him and the rest as of today.
3) I only think defending champion Stan Wawrinka can upset Novak Djokovic if the Swiss player has one of his good days. His powerful strokes can out-hit Djokovic but it all depends on whether he can keep it up for a sustained period of time. As for the women, Aga Radwanska deserves some Grand Slam success and comes into it in good form.
Alex Burton, UK Editorial Team – Challenger Tour Expert
1) Men’s draw Novak Djokovic – no one seems able to challenge him right now, (except maybe Stan Wawrinka), Nadal proves he is still a long way off, Federer cannot stay with Djokovic over five sets, Murray late last year could not either.
2) Serena Williams seemed to lack motivation after the end of her “Serena Slam” attempt. Does she truly believe that that can be achieved this year. If not is the motivation there? The game I think is. Serena is my pick though.
Sebastian Luzomski, Editor, UK
Men’s Winner: Novak Djokovic
By far the most consistent and the mental strength and experience to go all the way with really little problems. In fact I think he’ll breeze and it’ll be a boring tournament. There’s no one even close to him in terms of consistency and resistance. The only one who clashes with his contemporary game is Andy Murray but he’s not coming to Australia strong in my opinion. Watch a very one sided grand slam
Women’s Winner: Serena Williams
I think she’ll have more competition than Nole. The woman’s tour has become extremely competitive and I mean extremely. We tend to boast about how strong and competitive the men’s game is but in the women’s anyone can beat anyone on any given day. These young girls have all trained from the very bottom to the top and believe it or not they all pretty much arise from the same areas / academies. The competition is wild. Sharapova, Azarenka, and younger girls like Bencic or Genie could trouble Serena, but she’s too hot to handle. She’ll win
Surprises:
If there was a surprise in the men’s were looking at Dimitrov who is beginning the year well despite a pretty mediocre 2015. Players who could go far too are Wawrinka and Tomic both with a lot of potential. No young boys this time. No one from the quali draw
In the women’s, Puig is looking good, Bencic could really go far too
