The 2023 tennis season is here, which means it is time to make predictions for the year’s four Grand Slams. Can Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic add to their haul, or are more Carlos Alcaraz-like breakthroughs in the cards?
Australian Open – Daniil Medvedev
Medvedev has finished runner-up Down Under in each of the past two seasons. He never really recovered from his epic collapse in last year’s final against Rafael Nadal and has fallen to No. 7 in the rankings after peaking at No. 1. That could be a blessing in disguise for Medvedev. The pressure is off heading into 2023, with the spotlight still on Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in addition to new Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz. It won’t be easy with Djokovic getting the green light to play at Melbourne Park, but don’t be surprised if the Russian wins his second major championship.
Runner-up (if on opposite side of the draw) – Novak Djokovic
French Open – Rafael Nadal
Every time Nadal wins another French Open, the question of it will be his last is always asked. Some thought his reign may have been over when he failed to lift the trophy on back-to-back occasions in 2015 and 2016. All Nadal has done since then is win it five of the last six times. Until the Spaniard gives a reason to bet against him at Roland Garros, it isn’t a wise move. Although Nadal is not going into 2023 with much confidence, barring injury he should be up to speed in time for the clay-court swing.
Runner-up (if on opposite side) – Stefanos Tsitsipas
Wimbledon – Novak Djokovic
Not too much unlike the case of Nadal in Paris, there is no reason to pick against Djokovic at the All-England Club. This situation, however, has more to do with the quality of opposition being so unspectacular on grass. Whereas there are tons of dangerous clay-courters, now that Roger Federer is retired and Andy Murray is past his prime there really isn’t anyone other than Djokovic who is great on the green stuff. Matteo Berrettini, Denis Shapovalov, and Taylor Fritz can be dangerous, but nobody in that group strikes any fear into Djokovic.
Runner-up (if on opposite side) – Taylor Fritz
U.S. Open – Carlos Alcaraz
Following an unexpected U.S. Open triumph and even more surprising run all the way to No. 1 in the world, it would be understandable if Alcaraz experiences a bit of a letdown at the start of 2023. No matter; that won’t be a factor by the time the year’s fourth and final major gets underway. Alcaraz should be primed and ready to defend his title. At just 19 years old, the Spaniard is only getting better and better. In fact, there is a better chance of him winning multiple slams this season than there is of him winning zero.
Runner-up (if on opposite side) – Felix Auger-Aliassime
2014 was the last time we had four different men’s singles Grand Slam champions (three different players won the three slams in 2020, but Wimbledon was cancelled). Djokovic could certainly win multiple in 2023 and behind him both Nadal and Alcaraz have an outside chance, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we get a full quartet of winners. Djokovic and Nadal are 35 and 36, respectively, and other-gen breakthroughs have already begun (Dominic Thiem in 2020, Medvedev in 2021, Alcaraz in 2022). Another interesting season with plenty of parity could be in the cards.
Ruud again lucked out with an easy quarter. His luck in slam draws is extraordinary.
Even Novak fans are saying Rafa has a horrible draw and several commentators think he will lose to Draper. All the pressure will be on Rafa in the first round with the long list of losses since wimby.
I don’t know how he can get such a tough one ..I mean it’s live right…no behind the scenes..this looks like it was done by someone who hates him..it’s that bad…
It’s pretty terrible sanju. Draper just beat KK to get to the semis in Adelaide so he is match tough. He is z#38 in the live rankings just outside the seeds and may well end up higher. Last year some commies were predicting him to get up to top 15 this year.
And Nakashima is also in form and dangerous.
When you compare it with other quarters ie Ruud’s who continually gets very soft draws it’s laughable.
It was the first 3 rounds I was most worried about. If he could get through those he had a chance…
There are some other tough first rounds ie Rublev against Thiem. Thiem could win that.
Murray Berretini is popcorn but Murray isn’t the #1 seed so it’s completely different.
Only good thing is Rafa avoided NK.
There are ? about Novak’s hamstring. Right now the hamstring is the factor most likely to derail him not the opposition.
Meh. Djoker felt (maybe) a twinge and pulled the plug. Most likely he just wasn’t in the mood to play that day. He’ll be in fine shape come the first round. You’ll see. He will have to get used to being over the hill.
He pulled that during med match in adelaide still beat him in straights plus won a 3 hr 15 min marathon vs Korda…he will be fine …didn’t he win ao 21 with ab tear…what is a hamstring pull in comparison
If Rafa does get through Draper and Nakashima, which will be very difficult given his run of losses and lack of confidence then he will play himself into form and be much much stronger mentally.
If he can get through those matches he could go a long way.
Its a Slam. Id be very surprised if Rafa doesnt get past those two even if it goes five sets.
Have just had some more positive thoughts ie players playing in tourneys just before a slam starts often crash and burn. Quick turnaround and fatigue and so on.
Could happen to Draper. I assume Rafa will play earlydoors as he is the defending champion? Doesn’t the defending champion play on the first day…
Nakashima is next gen final winner
Good God I don’t believe it! Or rather I do! Tiggy has picked a Rafole final with Novak to win!
And pigs 🐖🐖🐖🐖 might fly!
🐖🐖🐖🐖🐖🐖🐖🐖🐖🐖
Obviously I agree with Novak winning it but Rafa getting to the final.with this draw? He picked Norrie for the semis which doesn’t seem wildly plausible either.
Oink! oink!!
Did anyone fill out a WTA bracket pick Iga Swiatek to win AO?
She lost to Pegula in the United Cup, but I don’t count that. I have Iga making the final but stopped short of choosing her to win AO.
I don’t have my ATP bracket filled out yet, but I see Rafa making the final.
Elizabeth…keen to hear ur picks qf onwards ..do post it please
A Rafaole final here will have just one winner unless a 2017 type shocker is in store..everyone was sure rafa would win that as fed had not beaten rafa in a slam since 10 years before 2007,we know what happened..
However rafa navigating through such tough draw is not looking feasible…I mean forget first 3 rounds but tiafoe, med, tsitsi back to back..nah..each of them can go 5
Would like to see your picks qf onwards both AL and Elizabeth. Please post if u can.
Nadal to make the final for sure. Everything you read here about him having a tough draw and Nole an easy one is the usual Slam smokescreen.
Not sure about the WTA though Elizabeth. I think Iga is the favourite but Im watching the warm up tournaments now for some clues.
Hi Elizabeth ,AL
Would like to see your atp picks qf onwards .please post if you can
No Al this is not a smokescreen! Ricky just posted a preview saying Rafa may well lose to Draper! Rafa has lost 6 of his last 7 matches including to players like de minaur and Norrie who never get near him and aren’t big servers.
He is unquestionably vulnerable.
Many commentators are saying that Rafa may lose to Draper. Many don’t think he will make the quarters.
Again messages are disappearing
They appear then disappear! Sigh!
Rafa getting past tiafoe ,med,tsitsi is unthinkable as each could be a 5 setter…plus he has never ever reached back to back finals at AO…infact historically every final appearance ends in a qf exit the subsequent year…check 10,15,18,20..each qf exit and he was the finalist or title holder the previous year..
If rafa does make the final with Nole..I don’t think anyone will pick rafa…a 17 type miracle needs to happen where no one picked fed as he had not beaten rafa in slam for 10 long years and he won causing a huge surprise .
Happy new year Tenngrand-ers!
It’s a shame Alcaraz had to pull out but nonetheless we have a juicy field. Good draw for Novak and a horrible one for Rafa.
On a separate note, I am doing AO player profile videos in collaboration with a Youtube channel and rules permitting, I’ll share the links when they are uploaded.
It’s kind of my new year resolution to get more involved and do some fun stuff around tennis. Will definitely try to post here more often too and enjoy the conversations with the amazing community here.
That sounds fantastic vr!! Many congrats!!
thanks Amy *high five *
High five vr!!😀
Proud of you!!
Come back and talk to us..!😀
The positive thing Amy is if he does lose to draper , it can’t get any worse ..he loses 2000 points ,he drops to maybe 8 in rankings ,the only way from there is UP
Yes I tend to agree sanju. Maybe like Alcaraz he will play other tourneys in Feb.
He should play on clay to get his confidence back! Play small tourneys and work his way back into form.
Also I honestly think he needs to spend time playing tennis away from home without Mery and his son in tow. They both always said that she would not be accompanying him all the time because it would harm their relationship because Rafa would be too distracted from tennis. And now that is multiplied with a child and all his family.
He is playing Dubai
Looks like he wants to keep losing points last year he had Acapulco 500 points in feb..now he is playing Dubai which is super fast court on which he will not even win
Well if he lost first match he could add other tourneys couldn’t he?! That’s what I meant. I know he is playing Dubai. No idea why.
There is an article by Clarey saying Rafa was missing basic shots against Hurkacz in practice and constantly giving worried looks at Moya. Woodbridge also saying he looks far away as when he lost to Tiafoe.
Everyone thinks he could go out early.
What worries me most is Rafa’s mental.state. There was footage of his match against de Minaur with Rafa saying to Marc why am I so lacking in confidence? Which recalls his comments to Moya at the USO about how anxious he was.
I am very worried that the litany of injuries has set off Rafa’s anxiety again. If it has then he is going home early.
Rafa is playing last match of the day session on Monday.