Field Level Media
12 Jan 2022, 04:49 GMT+10
Homeland favorite Ashleigh Barty and Serbia's Novak Djokovic are the top seeds for the upcoming Australian Open.
Barty, 25, has been the WTA year-end No. 1 three straight years but has never won the Grand Slam event, which begins Monday in Melbourne.
The two-time Grand Slam champion's best finish in the Australian Open was reaching the semifinals in 2020.
Perhaps eager to achieve that first title, Barty withdrew from this week's Sydney Tennis Classic. She won the singles and doubles title at Adelaide last week.
"Unfortunately, I am withdrawing from the Sydney Tennis Classic to have some time to recover before the Australian Open," Barty said in a statement. "I'm sorry I won't get the chance to play in front of the Sydney fans this year. I hope to see you all again soon. I wish the players and the tournament team all the best for the week ahead."
Djokovic is a nine-time event winner whose presence is creating a quite a stir in the Land Down Under due to his visa situation.
The 34-year-old Serbian is unvaccinated and initially had his visa revoked upon arriving in Australia. He has since won an appeal to remain in the country but there is still a chance he could have the visa canceled before the tournament starts.
Djokovic has won 20 career Grand Slam titles, which is tied with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for most all-time among men's players.
Russia's Daniil Medvedev, who beat Djokovic in September's U.S. Open, is the No. 2 seed.
Germany's Alexander Zverev is No. 3, followed by Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas and Russia's Andrey Rublev.
Nadal of Spain is the sixth seed. The highest American is Taylor Fritz at No. 20. John Isner (No. 22) and Reilly Opelka (No. 23) also are seeded.
Federer, of Switzerland, is sidelined due to knee surgery.
On the women's side, Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus is No. 2 and Garbine Muguruza of Spain is No. 3. Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic is No. 4 and Maria Sakkari of Greece is No. 5.
Defending Australian Open champ Naomi Osaka of Japan is seeded 13th.
U.S. Open champ Emma Raducanu of Great Britain is seeded 17th and runner-up Leylah Fernandez of Canada is No. 23.
Sofia Kenin, the 2020 champ, is the highest seeded American at No. 11. Others seeded Americans are Coco Gauff (No. 18), Jessica Pegula (No. 21) and Danielle Collins (No. 27).
Serena Williams isn't playing in the tournament as she continues her recovery from a hamstring injury. Williams has won seven Aussie Open titles and her 23 total Grand Slam crowns are tied with Margaret Court for most all-time.
--Field Level MediaGet a daily dose of Japan Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Japan Herald.
More InformationWASHINGTON, D.C.: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the Trump administration is asking companies and foreign governments to help...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Trump administration is seeking a delay in the legal battle between U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel over their blocked...
SEATTLE/WASHINGTON D.C.: U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said last week that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is...
A worker assembles wheelchairs at the workshop of Alu Rehab (Xiamen) Co., Ltd. in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, Feb. 26, 2025....
(250322) -- NANJING, March 22, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Athletes prepare before the men's 60m hurdles semifinal at the 2025 World Athletics...
(250322) -- NANJING, March 22, 2025 (Xinhua) -- First placed Freweyni Hailu of Ethiopia celebrates after the women's 3000m final at...
PARIS, France: Air France is making a bold bet on luxury travel with the launch of an upgraded first-class suite, aiming to attract...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: U.S. home construction and manufacturing activity surged in February, but rising costs from tariffs and economic...
NEW YORK, New York - Uncertainty continues to plague investors on Wall Street with Friday's trading being volatile and weak. The major...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: U.S. factories ramped up production in February, with a sharp rebound in motor vehicle output helping to drive manufacturing...
Elon Musk's Teslas' are in the running to take over the transport of Israel's government officials. Musk's company, Tesla Inc., has...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Trump administration is seeking a delay in the legal battle between U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel over their blocked...