Australian Open men's penpix
Penpix of leading men's singles contenders at the Australian Open, which gets under way in Melbourne on Monday:
Penpix of leading men's singles contenders at the Australian Open, which gets under way in Melbourne on Monday:
NOVAK DJOKOVIC (SRB)
World ranking: 1
Birthdate: May 22, 1987
Birthplace: Belgrade
Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Height: 6'2" (188cm)
Weight: 176 lbs (80kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned pro: 2003
Coach: Marian Vajda
Career singles titles: 34
Grand Slam singles titles: 5 (Australian Open 2008, 2011, 2012, Wimbledon 2011, US Open 2011)
Career prize money: $45,686,497
Best Australian Open result: Champion (2008, 2011, 2012)
- Djokovic is bidding for a third straight Australian Open triumph after beating Rafael Nadal in last year's five-set final. Lost to Andy Murray in the final of the last Grand Slam, the US Open in September. Played at the mixed teams Hopman Cup in Perth as his lead-in event to Melbourne.
ROGER FEDERER (SUI)
World ranking: 2
Birthdate: Aug 8, 1981
Birthplace: Basel, Switzerland
Residence: Bottmingen, Switzerland
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
Weight: 187 lbs (85 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned pro: 1998
Coach: Paul Annacone
Career singles titles: 76
Grand Slam singles titles: 17 (Australian Open 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, French Open 2009, Wimbledon 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, US Open 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)
Career prize money: $76,014,777
Best Australian Open result: Champion (2004, 2006, 2007, 2010)
- Having secured a 17th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, Federer returned to the world number one ranking for 17 weeks with six tour titles in 2012 before losing it to Novak Djokovic in November. Chasing his fifth Australian crown.
ANDY MURRAY (GBR)
World ranking: 3
Birthdate: May 15, 1987
Birthplace: Dunblane, Scotland
Residence: London, England
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
Weight: 185 lbs (84 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned pro: 2005
Coach: Ivan Lendl
Career singles titles: 25
Grand Slam singles titles: 1 (US Open 2012)
Career prize money: $24,855,621
Best Australian Open result: Runner-up (2010, 2011)
- Became Britain's first Grand Slam champion since 1936 when he beat Novak Djokovic in the 2012 US Open final, after also collecting Olympic gold. Going into Melbourne full of confidence after winning in Brisbane.
DAVID FERRER (ESP)
World ranking: 5
Birthdate: April 2, 1982
Birthplace: Javea, Spain
Residence: Valencia, Spain
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
Weight: 160 lbs (73 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned pro: 2000
Coach: Javier Piles
Career singles titles: 18
Grand Slam singles titles: 0
Career prize money: $17,100,619
Best Australian Open result: Semi-final (2011)
- Grabs the fourth seeding after the withdrawal of compatriot Rafael Nadal and comes off a career-best season of seven titles and 76 match wins. Super-fit, runs for everything and has a chance if the big names falter.
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO (ARG)
World ranking: 7
Birthdate: Sept 23, 1988
Birthplace: Tandil, Argentina
Residence: Tandil, Argentina
Height: 6'6" (198 cm)
Weight: 214 lbs (97 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned pro: 2005
Coach: Franco Davin
Career singles titles: 13
Grand Slam singles titles: 1 (US Open 2009)
Career prize money: $10,853,349
Best Australian Open result: Quarter-final (2009, 2012)
- Coming off four title wins in 2012 and working his way back up the rankings after wrist surgery in 2010. Beat Roger Federer for his first Grand Slam title at the 2009 US Open. Big, deep forehand and capable of an upset.