Hi guys, how're your bets going today?
With January just around the corner, what are your thoughts on the Australian Open Men's tournament?
Is there a chance the Big 3 could be beaten?
Stats say no, but if you are ever going to get a jump on a higher seed than you, its best to do it over the pre-season and hit the 1st Grand Slam up and running.. sort of like F1, no one really knows who did what in winter testing and anything can happen! like what happened in 2009 with Brawn F1 Gp.. anyway, Ill touch on F1 closer to Melbourne GP in March.
Big improver and big game player Nishikori has withdrawn from the Open, as well as Andy Murray. Although Murray hasn't quite regained his heights since his injury, on his day he is a formidable player.
Biting at the heels of the Big 3 are Thiem, Medvedev, Zverev and my mate Shapovalov.
Personally, I haven't seen much of the big-serving Austrian Thiem ($13) so its hard for me to comment on his hardcourt form.
Additionally, I think even though big Dan Shapovalov ($67) had a breakout season in 2019, he needs another year on the circuit to refine a few small failings.
The big talk in Australia at the moment, except for the constant temps above 45 degrees Celcius ( 113 F) and the bushfires is that the Russian Medvedev ($9) and the giant-killing Tsitsipas ($10) are on the hunt and primed ready to strike!
Whilst it would be great to see a newcomer lift the trophy, and no disrespect for the previously mentioned duo, they did have a top end of the year but, the others were just worn out.
By the time you get to the finals in November, upsets happen and bodies in the 30's are very sore and looking for a rest. Yes, they both impressed on what they had on offer, but will it be enough to stand the rigors that is the 2 week Australian open in the heat of Melbourne?
Many a player, including one of my faves Andy Roddick can attest to the following; Medvedev and Tsitsipas are great players in the wrong era!
Have there ever been three legends of the game playing at the one time? off the top of my head, I don't think so. There have always been one or two great players, but I can't think off the top of my head a time where 3 greats were gunning it out for so many years in a row. It's relentless!
Djokovic($2.50) is the youngest of the big 3, sitting nice and young at 32 with 16 grand slams! That number already puts him up with the greats with at least 4-6 years left in him if he wants.
The Fed, or the Goat ($9) 38 years old, and the Grand Slam record holder at 20 grand slams. Keeps coming back year in and year out.
Lastly, Rafa Nadal ($4.5)has snuck in 19 Grand Slams! one off the GOAT and he is only 33... could Nadal be the GOAT after all?
Knockers of Rafa will automatically say ' Well he has only won 1 Australian Open' Fans of Nadal will say, well Federer and Novak have only ever one 1 French Open..
Who will be the GOAT? who knows.. but its bad news for the rest as there isn't any clear sailing just yet! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of!
We may never see 3 players playing at once with 16+ Grand Slams each in our lifetime again.
Every single year I say it is time for Federer to be irrelevant and maybe even retire now because he is really old now for such a sport that requires so much agility but dude is so talented that even his pure talent is really just too good to pass up, I am sure he will still be very good.
Nadal hasn't been himself for a minute as well, dude plays well for one game then suddenly plays very bad for another even in games he wins, Djokovic on the other hand is a consistent player, he has a talent level that he brings in every single game, he may not be as good as Nadal or Federer when all is said and done, or maybe he will be but I think 100% the peak best of Federer or Nadal is better than Djokovic. So this will all come down to will we see the best of all players or will there be some rough games for them.
