Australian Preview Tips – Men’s Draw

<p>Summer is in full swing Down Under and that means it’s tennis time. The first Grand Slam of the year, our very own Australian Open, is almost here.</p> <p>As the world’s top tennis talent descends on our shores, we’ve taken the time to run the rule over both the men’s and women’s draw to try and separate the contenders from the pretenders.</p> <p>Here we’ll be taking a gander at the blokes and analysing the favourites, the players flying under the radar and the Aussie hopefuls looking to make a splash at their home tournament.</p> <p>Can anyone stop Djokovic? How will Nadal fare in his Aus Open swansong? And will one of our own such as Alex De Minaur or Thanasi Kokkinakis go on a memorable run on home soil?</p> <p>For all the latest analysis, predictions and odds for the men’s draw of the upcoming 2024 Australian Open, check out our Aus Open preview&nbsp;below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Australian Open Preview&nbsp;– The Favourites</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Novak Djokovic</strong></em></p> <p>The current world no.1, the most majors of all-time, the most Australian Open titles of all-time, the undisputed king of Melbourne Park.</p> <p>Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic may now be 36 years old, but he’s still the man to beat.</p> <p>It’s gotten to the stage where if he participates in this event, he wins it. Border security seems to be the only player who can stop him Down Under and unfortunately, they won’t be appearing at this year’s tournament.</p> <p>There is a reason Novak is such a short-priced favourite, the Australian Open is his tournament and it’s also his to lose.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Carlos Alcaraz</strong></em></p> <p>Djokovic’s main challenger at Melbourne Park this year will be young gun Carlos Alcaraz.</p> <p>The Spanish sensation has gone from strength to strength in recent years to cement his status as one of the premier players in world tennis.</p> <p>The 20-year-old won the second grand slam of his career last year, defeating Djokovic in the Wimbledon final. He’ll be hoping to do the same at Rod Laver Arena on January 28.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Jannik Sinner</strong></em></p> <p>After a stellar 12 months Jannik Sinner has rocketed into contention for the 2024 Australian Open title.</p> <p>He helped Italy to a historic Davis Cup win last year and is now eyeing his first ever Grand Slam title.</p> <p>His relentless, combative style of tennis and never-say-die attitude has won him plenty of admirers and should put him in good stead to shake things up Down Under.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Daniil Medvedev</strong></em></p> <p>A beaten Aus Open finalist in both 2021 and 2022, Russian pantomime villain Daniil Medvedev will be looking to go one better in 2024.</p> <p>His relationship with the Australian tennis loving public is both tumultuous and well documented and he’ll be looking to stick it to them by finally getting his hands on the Norman Brooks Challenge Cup.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Rafael Nadal</strong></em></p> <p>According to reports, this is set to be Rafael Nadal’s swansong at the Australian Open.</p> <p>The living legend has earmarked 2024 as his last year on tour, as age and injuries have finally taken their toll.</p> <p>A two-time Aus Open champion, Nadal will no doubt be looking to leave it all on the court as he bids farewell to Melbourne Park one last time.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Australian Open Preview&nbsp;– Under the Radar Options</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Stefanos Tsitsipas</strong></em></p> <p>One-time Greek freak Stefanos Tsitsipas’ stocks have dropped in recent times due to inconsistency and his inability to deliver on the big stage.</p> <p>Once touted as the next big thing, he is now somewhat an outsider in the Australian Open 2024 Outright market and presents great value as an under the radar option.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Ben Shelton</strong></em></p> <p>Up and coming American star Ben Shelton is one to watch at this year’s Australian Open.</p> <p>A quarter finalist last year in Melbourne, the hype around this kid is real. Could 2024 be the year Ben Shelton announces himself to the tennis world? Watch this space.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Andy Murray</strong></em></p> <p>Rounding out our under the radar options for this year’s Australian Open crown is good old Andy Murray.</p> <p>Old being the operative word, hasn’t he retired three times already? Apparently not, the veteran Scot is still going and last time he was here, boy did he put on a show.</p> <p>He’ll be looking to do likewise again and after famously making and losing five finals at Melbourne Park, is this the year he finally makes it stick? Unlikely, but stranger things have happened.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Australian Open Preview&nbsp;– Aussie Hopefuls</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Alex De Minaur</strong></em></p> <p>With Nick Kyrgios ruled out, Australia’s great white hope at this year’s Australian Open is Alex de Minaur.</p> <p>Currently ranked no.12 in the world and with home ground advantage on his side, 2024 could be the year the Demon finally goes on a deep run at Melbourne Park.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Thanasi Kokkinakis</strong></em></p> <p>He’s won the Australian Open Doubles title, but with his great mate and doubles’ partner Kyrgios sidelined, Thanasi Kokkinakis will be focusing on his singles campaign, as he tries to at least progress past the second round for the first time in his career.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Alexei Popyrin</strong></em></p> <p>Young gun Alexei Popyrin will be looking to build on his memorable Aus Open campaign from last year when he takes to the court at Melbourne Park later this month.</p> <p>He made it to the third round 12 months ago, famously beating the no.8 seed Taylor Fritz in a five-set thriller along the way.</p> <p>Since then, he has risen through the world rankings and is in good stead to go even further this time around.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Australian Open 2024 Dates &amp; Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Dates:</strong> January 14 – January 28.</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Melbourne, Australia.</p> <p><strong>Arena:</strong> Melbourne Park.</p> <p><strong>Prize money:</strong> $AU86.5 million.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Australian Open 2024 Men’s Odds</h2>

<p>Fancy a flutter on the 2024 Australian Open? Check out our <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/how-to-bet-on-tennis">How to Bet on Tennis</a> guide first.</p>