‘Pain-free’ Novak launches bid

MELBOURNE, Australia — A “pain-free” Novak Djokovic begins his Australian Open defense against a teenage qualifier on Sunday as he bids for an unprecedented 25th major crown, but women’s top seed Iga Swiatek faces a much trickier assignment.

The opening Grand Slam of the year gets underway as a 15-day event for the first time, aimed at cutting down on late-night finishes.

World number one Djokovic is an overwhelming favorite, with a sore wrist that cast a shadow over his build-up no longer troubling him.

He should have few problems progressing from his evening clash on Rod Laver Arena against 18-year-old Croat Dino Prizmic, who is making his main draw Slam debut.

“It’s exciting to be a part of another Slam,” said the 36-year-old Djokovic, who has not lost at the Australian Open since 2018.

Former champions Naomi Osaka and Caroline Wozniacki make their return to Grand Slam tennis after having babies, among a clutch of mothers in the women’s draw. 

But world number one and top seed Swiatek is the clear favorite, having been a dominant force since Ashleigh Barty’s surprise retirement after winning the 2022 tournament.