Tennis: Australian Open to kick off Monday

By Huseyin Burak Demirer

ANKARA (AA) - The year's first tennis Grand Slam is set to start Monday with the Australian Open 2021.

The tournament, originally scheduled for Jan. 18, will start in February after its first delay in more than a century due to issues related to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The players will fight for more than $80 million in prize money during the competition, with the total prize pool remaining at the 2020 level of $71.5 million.

- Missing stars

Six-time AO champion Roger Federer will miss the tournament after two operations on his right knee last year.

Cristian Garin, ranked 22nd, and John Isner, ranked 24th, will not compete in the tournament either due to health concerns.

In the Women's, Kiki Bertens, ranked 10th, also will not be able to play due to an injury.

Madison Keys (16) and Amanda Anisimova (31) will not fight on the court as they have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Best stats of Australian Open

- Men's Singles:

1. Novak Djokovic (Serbia) - 8 times

2. Roy Emerson (Australia) - 6

Roger Federer (Switzerland) - 6

4. Jack Crawford (Australia) - 4

Andre Agassi (US) - 4

Ken Rosewall (Australia) - 4 (*2 + 2)

Women's Singles:

1. *Margaret Court (Australia) - 11 (*7 + 4)

2. Serena Williams (US) - 7

3. Nancye Wynne Bolton (Australia) - 6

- Most wins in a row:

Men:

1. Roy Emerson (Australia) - 5 (1963-1967)

2. Jack Crawford (Australia) - 3 (1931-1933)

Novak Djokovic (Serbia) - 3 (2011-2013)

Women:

1. Margaret Court (Australia) - 7 (1960-1966)

2. Daphne Akhurst Cozens (Australia) - 3 (1928-1930)

Nancye Wynne Bolton (Australia) - 3 (1946-1948)

Margaret Court (Australia) - 3 (1969-1971)

Evonne Goolagong Cawley (Australia) - 3 (1974-1976)

Steffi Graf (Germany) - 3 (1988-1990)

Monica Seles (US) - 3 (1991-1993)

Martina Hingis (Switzerland) - 3 (1997-1999)

- Winners of last 10 years

Men:

2020 - Novak Djokovic (Serbia)

2019 - Novak Djokovic (Serbia)

2018 - Roger Federer (Switzerland)

2017 - Roger Federer (Switzerland)

2016 - Novak Djokovic (Serbia)

2015 - Novak Djokovic (Serbia)

2014 - Stanislas Wawrinka (Switzerland)

2013 - Novak Djokovic (Serbia)

2012 - Novak Djokovic (Serbia)

2011 - Novak Djokovic (Serbia)

Women:

2020 - Sofia Kenin (US)

2019 - Naomi Osaka (Japan)

2018 - Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark)

2017 - Serena Williams (US)

2016 - Angelique Kerber (Germany)

2015 - Serena Williams (US)

2014 - Li Na (China)

2013 - Victoria Azarenka (Belarus)

2012 - Victoria Azarenka (Belarus)

2011 - Kim Clijsters (Belgium)

- Youngest winners

Men: Ken Rosewall (Australia) (1953) - 18

Women: Martina Hingis (Switzerland) (1997) - 16

- Oldest winners

Men: Ken Rosewall (Australia) (1972) - 37

Women: Thelma Coyne Long (Australia) (1954) - 35