Andy Murray not just focused on Australian Open with first child due

The Serbian will move level with Australia’s Roy Emerson, who won six titles when the tournament was an amateur event, should he add to his victories at the 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015 editions of the Grand Slam.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia holds the candies before he gives them to the journalists in a press conference, ahead of the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016. The first Grand Slam of the 2016 season, eagerly awaited by all though not exactly for the same reasons.

RUNNERS-UP REMATCH: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France plays Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus in the last night match on Margaret Court Arena on Monday, and both players have bittersweet memories of past Australian Open glory.

Djokovic said his focus in the off-season was balancing work with rest to ensure he could come into the Australian Open sharp and fresh. After the match, Nadal told reporters: “I played against a player who did everything ideal…”

Djokovic is a raging Open favourite after snaring three of the sport’s four majors and collecting 11 trophies in total in one of the most dominant seasons in history previous year. “It’s just tradition – I’m not bribing you guys, ” he said.

Djokovic, who had a successful start to the season with a title in Doha against Rafael Nadal, will open against South Korean teenager Hyeon Chung on Monday.

Williams pulled out of the Hopman Cup last week with a knee injury and was pictured taking treatment on Saturday after struggling during a practice session at Melbourne Park.

It’s unproven still if anyone else’s best can match that of Djokovic’s current form.

The 34-year-old may also have to overcome Caroline Wozniacki and Petra Kvitova before the final, while her simmering relationship with Maria Sharapova could also be given another run-out, with the pair due to meet as early as the last eight. “I actually wanted to have an easy day today but in my mind “easy” is just two hours of really intense working out”. She opens against world No. 35, Camila Giorgi of Italy. “Hopefully I can do something good this year”, said the Swiss.

“You want to do what you can to be healthy and be a part of the Grand Slam so sometimes that’s a decision you have to make”. Now the question is, can Nadal, owner of 14 major titles, even win one more?

Discounting that and the International Tennis Premier League, it will have been 128 days between the disappointment of Flushing Meadows and the opportunity to once again chase tennis’ grand slam.

Djokovic said the Olympics in August are another goal for him, in addition to everything else.

Murray himself has said that he will welcome having something else to think about other than his tennis: “It’s obviously going to be life-changing when the baby comes out and I’m excited about that. I’m glad he’s thinking that way”. Last year, Djokovic won 27 of his 28 matches in Grand Slam tournaments, capturing three majors and finishing runner-up to Stan Wawrinka at the French Open.

Nadal, who lost to Novak Djokovic in the Qatar Open this month, still has vivid memories of the 2009 encounter with his fellow left-hander. “I would do the same”, he said.