As the tennis world looks forward to the remarkable 2024 season, there are hopes that the Australian Open will kick start the expectations. Tennis stars and Grand Slam winners Naomi Osaka, Caroline Wozniacki, and Angelique Kerber will return to the court after maternity leave. Also, Rafael Nadal has returned from a hip injury, while Nick Kygrios will be back from a knee injury.”
The Australian Open organizers announced earlier that the 2024 tournament has been adjusted to a 15-day event rather than the usual 14-day event.
Nadal, Kygrios, Wozniacki, Osaka and Kerber gear up for Australian Open
Three former Australian Open champions Naomi Osaka, Caroline Wozniacki and Angelique Kerber are set to return to Melbourne Park in January following maternity leave, joined by 2022 winner Rafael Nadal and hometown favorite Nick Kyrgios.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley told the tournament launch Wednesday that Nadal (left hip flexor) and Kyrgios (knee, wrist) are expected to return from major injuries in a bid to challenge Novak Djokovic’s dominance at Rod Laver Arena, where he has clinched 10 of his record 24 Grand Slam titles.
“Our 2022 champion Rafa Nadal has been working hard on his rehab for most of this year,” Tiley said. “He always brings his best to Melbourne and no one can doubt how hard he competes. I’ve been in touch with his team and he’s now back on the court and looking forward to returning to Melbourne in January.”
Nadal has won two of his 22 Grand Slam titles in Melbourne — the first came in 2009. “I appreciate the vote of confidence from the Australian Open… I am practising every day and working hard to come back asap,” Nadal wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
According to tennisworldusa, CEO Craig Tiley said: “We are delighted to welcome back these extraordinary champions, Naomi, Angie and Caroline, who lit up the Australian Open and impressed fans with their athleticism, endurance and sportsmanship. We will welcome them, their families with open arms here in Melbourne and we can’t wait to see what the next chapter of their story brings them. They will find that the landscape has changed somewhat.”
Tiley said Djokovic and No. 2-ranked Carlos Alcaraz are expected to lead the men’s contingent, while leading players Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff are also expected to play in the women’s draw. The tournament will run from Jan. 14-28, with its opening day of play on a Sunday for the first time. The Australian Open joins the French Open as the only tennis majors to be held over 15 days.
How many times has Rafael Nadal won Australian Open?
Rafael Nadal has won the Australian Open twice, with his last victory coming in 2022 when he beat Russia’s Daniil Medvedev and became the first man in the Open era to come back from two sets down in the final to win. Nadal has said he expects to retire after the 2024 season, with a series of injuries limiting his appearances on the men’s tour this season.
Nadal dropped out of the top 100 for the first time in 20 years earlier in the season and has slipped to No. 240 in the world, but is eligible for a protected ranking, having been injured and not competing in any event for at least six months. In Nadal’s absence, Novak Djokovic has gone on to win a record 24 Grand Slams.
