5 Players to watch out for in the Australian Open 2021

5 Players to watch out for in the Australian Open 2021

Sports has given much-needed relief to the fans after a difficult period of the Coronavirus pandemic last year. Like every sporting activity, Tennis too, has begun to unlock. The first Grand Slam of the year is about to get underway on 8th of February in Melbourne. Amongst the big 3, Roger Federer has opted to stay out of the tournament as the Swiss Legend needs time to get back into action after undergoing knee surgery last year.

Novak Djokovic will be in a positive frame of mind as the no 1 seed is the defending champion while Rafael Nadal will look to start the year on a positive note after winning the French Open title last year. Amidst this, this year’s Australian Open could see a battle of the next generation. There are some upcoming stars who are trying to establish themselves on the big stage. These players’ have showcased their quality in the past and are ready to take the leap.

The players’ we are about to discuss are equipped with different techniques, skills and temperament. These next generation of stars are certainly the most exciting players who can challenge the big stars if they play to their potential and above all if they remain consistent. Whether they will be able to make an impact only time will tell. Let’s take a look at 5 such players who could make an impression in the upcoming Australian Open.

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#1 Dominic Thiem (Austria)

Dominic Thiem is considered to be the next shining star in Tennis circles. The 27-year-old has produced some sensational performances since the last 3-4 years. Thiem won the Lyon Open in May 2018 and the Argentina Open in the same year by beating Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia in the final. The Austrian also won the US Open last year and finished runner up in the Australian Open last year.

Thiem finished runner up in the 2018 and 2019 French Open losing to Rafael Nadal on both instances in the final. Thiem also made it to the finals of the ATP finals in 2019 and 2020. His destructive forehands combined with his solid groundstrokes can trouble any opponent. Besides this, Thiem also won Indian Wells Masters in March 2019 as well as Barcelona Open in April 2019. Thiem also won the Austrian Open in the same year by beating Albert Ramos Vinolas of Spain in the final.

Thiem can place baseline shots during the run of play quite effectively. His quick groundstrokes have outdone many opponents, while his top spins are quite effective during the run of play. Thiem’s calmness helps him during pressure situations, which the Austrian had said helps him to focus whenever he plays a tricky opponent. His single-handed backhands have always been his main strength on Hard Courts.

#2 Alexander Zverev (Germany)

Alexander Zverev has been touted as the next big thing in the Tennis Circuit like Dominic Thiem, but the German hasn’t lived up to his billing. Many think that the German may need some more time to develop the temperament one needs to excel in Grand Slams, especially in knockout rounds when he tends to get a bit nervous.

Zverev also tends to get a bit erratic during pressure situations. The number 7 seed had stated that playing more ATP events will help him to prepare for Grand Slam events. The 24-year-old won the Madrid Masters in May 2018 by beating Dominic Thiem in the finals which was considered one of his best performances on Clay Court. He also won the Bavarian International Tennis Championship in April 2018 by beating German Philipp Kohlschreiber. Zverev made it to last year’s US Open final where he lost to Dominic Thiem in the finals.

His precise baselines have at times outfoxed his opponents. Zverev won the ATP finals in November 2018 by beating Novak Djokovic in the final. Zverev also won the Mexican Open in February 2019 in doubles category by partnering his elder brother Mischa Zverev and Geneva Open in May 2019 by beating Nicolas Jarry of Chile in the final. He made it to the final of last year’s US Open. Zverev has this ability to surprise his opponents with his quick serves. Zverev’s backhands are considered to be his main strengths and it is an area where the German can be a big threat for his rivals.

#3 Stefanos Tsitsipas (Greece)

Stefanos Tsitsipas is another player who has a vast amount of talent to achieve superstar status in the Tennis circuit. The 23-year-old can produce some powerful groundstrokes. The Greek is also known for his precise baselines and superb forehands. Tsitsipas is equally good at playing long rallies but tends to get erratic while playing against top-ranked players.

He finished runner up in the finals of the Barcelona Open in April 2018. Tsitsipas finished runner up in Canadian Open in August 2018 losing to Rafael Nadal in the final. Tsitsipas won the Stockholm Open in October 2018 by beating Ernests Gulbis of Latvia in the final and also won the ATP finals by beating Australian Alex De Minaur in the final in the same year. The Greek won the Open 13 Marseille Championships in 2019 and 2020 by beating Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan and Felix Auger Aliassime of Canada respectively.

Tsitsipas made it to the semi-finals of the Australian Open in 2019 and also won the Estoril Open in the same year. He won the ATP finals in London in 2019 by beating Dominic Thiem in the final. Though Tsitsipas has shown lots of promise, the 23-year-old needs to develop the temperament to play against top-ranked players. Some ex-players have been vocal about his talent and have lamented that playing in big tournaments and Grand Slams will surely help him develop as a better player in the future. It will also help him mature as a player and how to handle pressure situations.

#4 Daniil Medvedev (Russia)

Daniil Medvedev is touted to be another superstar in the making in the Tennis circles. Medvedev won the Sydney International in January in 2018 by beating local player Alex De Minaur in the final. He also won Japan open in 2018 by beating Kei Nishikori in the final.

Medvedev also won the Sofia Open in February 2019 by beating Marton Fucsovics of Hungary in the final and then followed it up by winning Cincinnati Masters in August 2019 and St Petersburg Open in September 2019 by beating Belgian David Goffin and Borna Coric of Croatia respectively. Medvedev also won the Shanghai Masters in the same year by beating Alexander Zverev in the final. Medvedev also won the ATP finals in London in 2020 by beating Dominic Thiem in the final.

The 24-year-old is quite good with his deceptive drop shots and can be a tricky player during netplay. The Russian has also shown his sharpness with his precise baselines. Medvedev is working more on his serves.

Medvedev had stated that maintaining calmness on the court helps him sail through pressure situations. His destructive two-handed backhands can outclass any opponent especially on grass and hard courts. Medvedev made it to the semi-final of last year’s US Open where he lost to Dominic Thiem. Medvedev also won the St Petersburg Open in Russia in 2018 as well as Cincinnati Masters in the same year.

#5 Diego Schwartzman (Argentina)

The pint-sized powerhouse can upset any well-established opponent if he plays to his capabilities. After Juan Martin Del Potro Schwartzman is the next flag bearer for his countrymen. The Argentine can outrun his opponent with his powerful backhands and cracking groundstrokes.

Schwartzman is a quick mover on the court and his clever decision making on the court can trouble the opponent. Schwartzman can play offensively as well as defensively and is equally penetrative with his destructive forehands during the run of play. Schwartzman won the Rio Open in February 2018 by beating Fernando Verdasco of Spain in the final. The Argentine won the Cordoba Open in February last year by beating Christian Garin of Chile in the final.

Schwartzman won the Los Cabos Open in Mexico in 2019 by beating Taylor Fritz of USA in the final. He also made it to the semi-finals of last year’s US Open in September that helped him reach a career-high singles ranking of no 8 in October last year. Schwartzman isn’t sharp with his serves but his returns are more powerful.

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