Kerber embracing top-ranking at Australian Open

The men’s world number one is set to be treated as tennis royalty at the Australian Open next week with the official local broadcaster planning to refer to him as “Sir Andy Murray”.

Both reached the top of the rankings for the first time near the end of 2016, ending long reigns by Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams. But even that would have presented problems, considering his father-in-law was in a Melbourne hospital after collapsing with an illness while watching a match at the Australian Open.

A year ago was a watershed for Murray: the birth of his first child, a second Wimbledon title, Olympic gold and the assumption of the number one ranking – in singles and doubles – made sure of that. Kerber opens the night session against Lesia Tsurenko.

Today’s draw put Federer on a potential collision course with Murray in the quarter-finals, though the 35-year-old Swiss, who is returning after a six-month break because of a knee injury, might first have to beat Tomas Berdych and Kei Nishikori. For Kerber, though, it’s pertinent.

Stan Wawrinka won the last Grand Slam event at the US Open back in August 2016 but is an outside 12/1 (13.00) to win this one; as is Rafael Nadal who last won the Aus Open back in 2009.

WOMENSerena Williams’ next Grand Slam would be her 23rd, which would move her past Steffi Graf on the all-time list.

With her price having nearly halved in the opening two weeks of the season, some will argue the value has already gone but 22/1 still doesn’t accurately reflect her chances in my opinion.

“I think it could be quite easy that once you get to number one that you think, “Well, actually, I just need to keep doing what I doing”, he said. “I don’t know if that will come over time, if I’m able to stay there or not”.

It gave her the freedom to play without pressure, and that made all the difference.

Former German world number two Tommy Haas, aged 38, is competing in his first tournament since Vienna in October 2015 and will have a first-round match against Frenchman Benoit Paire.

“I saw him playing a bit at the US Open“. The Bulgarian beat three top-10 players on the way to his first title in more than two years.

But the 29-year-old Scot said: “I’m more than happy just being Andy”. But, “We are starting from zero here. I’m ready to start the tournament”. “I didn’t have as many ups and downs previous year; I wasn’t getting too high when I was winning and too low when I was losing because tennis wasn’t the most important thing anymore”.

Djokovic was given one of the tougher opening rounds against Spain’s Fernando Verdasco.

‘Sophia is here. past year she came to NY and was in Paris a little bit. Ranked 17th, Federer’s draw could prove tricky to navigate as he’ll face the top seeds sooner.

The same applies for the person Kerber defeated in that U.S. Open final.

Stan Wawrinka, the 2014 champion, faces a tough first round opponent in Slovak Martin Klizan, with a possible fourth round against tempestuous Australian talent Nick Kyrgios.

The 21-year-old Kyrgios finished 2016 under a ban in a season overshadowed by clashes with officials and fans and by the tanking at the Shanghai Masters which led to an eight-week suspension.

The 12-time major victor said he knew the enormity of the challenge awaiting him.

This year, Murray enters the tournament with the hotter racket.

“I was practicing and playing a lot of matches, points, during my practice here”.

Murray was also asked about Michael Downey’s resignation as chief executive of the Lawn Tennis Association after only three years in the role.

Wimbledon’s prize money offering, which has increased every year since the 1980s, has been roughly equivalent to the Australian Open’s for the last two years while the French Open fund has been slightly smaller. All eyes will be on Rafa who continues his comeback, and I think Team Rafa will take their draw.