Historic day for Italian tennis. For the first time in 50 years of ATP ranking there are in fact three Azzurri in the top 20: thanks to the leap forward of Lorenzo Musetti which, thanks to the successes of last week at the United Cuphe gained four positions, reaching n.19, his best ranking. Matthew Berrettini back to being the national n.1 in 14th place (+2), while Jannik Sinner drops to n.16 (-2). Not even the great Panatta-Barazzutti-Bertolucci trio had reached a similar milestone: in the summer of 1977 they had reached the 17th, 20th and 22nd position respectively.
Australian Open between hopes and uncertainties
One week after the start ofAustralian Open, scheduled from 16 to 30 January, Italy therefore presents itself with an interesting calling card. Also because, extending the ranking to the top 100, they also appear Sonego (44), Fognini (57) and Sniped (93). And it deserves a mention too Raul Brancaccio, who conquered the second Challenger of his career in Noumea, jumping to n.146, his best ranking. Going back to the first Grand Slam of the season, despite the fact that the classification smiles at our colors, there are some doubts about the physical conditions of our three strong points. The alarm bells mainly concern Sinner, who in the match lost in the quarterfinals of the ATP Adelaide against the American Korda, complained of some discomfort in the hip. Even from Sydney, home of the final of the newborn United Cup, there was no good news with Musetti’s withdrawal at the end of the first set (6-2 loss against Tiafoe) due to a nuisance in his right shoulder. Luckily there is a week to get ready for the event in Melbourne. “Free” week also for Sonego And Fogniniwho were immediately eliminated in the first round of the Adelaide 2 and Auckland tournaments by Draper (4-6, 2-6) and Brooksby (7-6, 1-6, 3-6) respectively.
Forfait Osaka, Djokovic-Kyrgios exhibition
Meanwhile, later Alcaraz And Venus Williamsthe Australian Open loses another piece of 90. The Japanese Naomi Osaka in fact, she announced that she will not take part in the first Slam of the season, and the absence of reasons casts further shadows on the physical and mental status of the 2019 and 2021 Melbourne champion. Currently, the 25-year-old Japanese has dropped to position 42 in the ranking, but does not play an official match since last September, when she withdrew from the Japan Open due to abdominal problems. Considered the most accredited to take up the legacy of Serena Williams, in reality Osaka, winner of four Grand Slam titles in her career, seems to have lost herself and her tennis since May 2021, when she withdrew from Roland Garros confessing to suffering from depression and not wanting to talk to the press. Returning to the men, Alcaraz’s forfeit, further assigns favorite status to Novak Djokovicwhich in Adelaide has just conquered the 92nd tournament in his career. The Serbian, who is experiencing a decidedly calmer situation than 12 months ago in Australia, declared that he will not participate in the “Kooyong Classic”, a friendly tournament traditionally scheduled the week before the AO. The exhibition match against the home idol has been confirmed Nick Kyrgios Friday 13 January at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. It will be a replay of the Wimbledon 2022 final, won by Nole: the show is guaranteed.
Berrettini, Sinner and Musetti in the top 20: Italy never so high in the ATP ranking