Carlos Alcaraz has not been mentioned in the conversation when it comes to the 2024 Australian Open as ESPN pundits gave their predictions for the winner in Melbourne.
John McEnroe, Pam Shriver and Rennae Stubbs were among those to pick their winner and many went for Djokovic as expected. But for the former, it was Jannik Sinner singled out for praise over Alcaraz in particular who is second seed in Melbourne.
World #4 Jannik Sinner gets a very good win in his first match of the the year!
6-4, 7-5, 6-3 over former top 25 Botic Van de Zandschulp.
But has not played any warm-up tournaments and had an indifferent form in the back end of 2023 while Sinner of course emerged as one of the best in the world defeating Novak Djokovic on multiple occasions.
“It’s time for Sinner. He had a great finish to 2023, and he’s ready to take the next step,” McEnroe said.
Barca said: “In 2024, it’s Sinner’s time. The 22-year-old appears primed to win a maiden Australian Open after a brilliant 2023 season, in which he won ATP titles in Toronto, Beijing and Vienna, and took care of Djokovic during Italy’s Davis Cup triumph in November.
“He’s reached at least a quarterfinal in every Grand Slam, gets his preferred court surface in Melbourne and, as we’ve seen time and again, has enough tools in his arsenal to topple the world’s best players under pressure.”
While Pam Shriver picked an obvious pick for many in Novak Djokovic and so did Rennae Stubbs.
“How can you not pick the guy who has won 10 Australian Opens and came within one match of winning all four majors last year? Djokovic is the favourite, but Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune are waiting if his level drops,” she said.
Stubbs added: “Djokovic is the favourite again. There is no one better in a major than Djokovic, especially here in Melbourne. His record here is unmatched, and over five sets he will once again hold the trophy.”
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