Djokovic, Serena named Aussie Open top seeds

It wouldn’t be Jordan’s last Grand Slam title, however, as she went on to win the mixed doubles title at the French Open four years later, in 1983, with compatriot Eliot Teltscher.

Murray has never won the Australian Open before, only finished runner-up 4 times.

Nadal has won once in Australia, over Federer in a classic five-set final in 2009, and has had some of his career low points with tournament-ending injuries in Melbourne. Those young competitors are both credentialed and motivated – and one of many reasons why you should keep an eye on the Australian Open 2016 draws as they unfold at Melbourne Park on Friday.

He is thus keen to end the skid, and doing so in Melbourne might be sweeter for the Scot since he has lost four finals at the Australian Open – three to Djokovic.

Former world number one Victoria Azarenka has had a hard couple of years.

The world number 2 has been in full preparation ahead of the tournament.

But the two-time Australian Open champion is showing signs of a renaissance, storming to her second Brisbane International crown last week – her first title since she beat Williams in Cincinnati in 2013 – and has even released a Rocky-style training montage announcing her comeback.

The crafty Italian foiled Williams’ quest to land all four majors in one season, but the 34-year-old still has much to play for Down Under – retaining the title would put her equal with Graf’s Open Era record tally of grand slams.

The older sister of Serena Williams returned to the top 10 last year, starting the year on a high with a quarterfinals appearance at the Australian Open.

World number nine Lucie Safarova is skipping the Australian Open because of health problems linked to a bacterial infection, while Italy’s Flavia Pennetta, ranked at eight, retired from the sport after her win at last year’s US Open. He’s made 14 of the past 18 major finals – and 15 of 20. “I really want to spend more time with my wife”.

As always, walking around Melbourne Park you’ll find plenty of food stalls and fun activities if you need a break from all the action. “If I’m serving well and playing the right game style, I think I’ve got a good chance”.

Meanwhile, Stan Wawrinka and Rafael Nadal are placed at fourth and fifth respectively.

World number two Andy Murray is due to add another title to his collection: that of father.