The Australian Open begins tomorrow, and some of us tennis fanatics here at The Roar have put our heads together and dreamt up some predictions for 2018.
Have a read of our tips below and let us know what yours are in the comments!
Connor Bennett
Men’s singles champion: Roger Federer.
Runner-up: Stan Wawrinka.
Women’s singles champion: Elina Svitolina.
Runner-up: Simona Halep.
Last Aussie left standing: Ash Barty.
Definitely will happen: At least three Aussies in the fourth Round.
Definitely won’t happen: Djokovic racking up a record seventh Australian Open title.
Josh Elliott
Men’s singles champion: Roger Federer
Runner-up: Grigor Dimitrov
Women’s singles champion: Simona Halep.
Runner-up: Elina Svitolina.
Last Aussie left standing: Nick Kyrgios.
Definitely will happen: I angrily state my intention not to watch any of the programs advertised during the TV coverage.
Definitely won’t happen: I successfully avoid watching those programs.
David Holden
Men’s singles champion: Roger Federer.
Runner-up: Rafael Nadal.
Women’s singles champion: Angelique Kerber.
Runner-up: Venus Williams.
Last Aussie left standing: Nick Kyrgios.
Definitely will happen: At some point, you will be able to fry an egg on court.
Definitely won’t happen: Players will say in a press conference that they are looking more than one round ahead!
(AAP Image/Lukas Coch)
Tim Miller
Men’s singles champion: Grigor Dimitrov.
Runner-up: David Goffin.
Women’s singles champion: Johanna Konta.
Runner-up: Venus Williams.
Last Aussie left standing: N/A- every Aussie to be out by the second round.
Definitely will happen: A player will complain about Tennis Australia’s heat policy after losing in the early rounds.
Definitely won’t happen: Novak Djokovic to get through the tournament without breaking down.
Riley Pettigrew
Men’s singles champion: Roger Federer (again).
Runner-up: Rafael Nadal (again).
Women’s singles champion: Elina Svitolina.
Runner-up: Karolina Pliskova.
Last Aussie left standing: Nick Kyrgios (SF Men’s), Ash Barty (QF Women’s).
Definitely will happen: Bernard Tomic will throw a tantrum after failing to get past the first round (Ed: Riley wrote this on Friday. He was not wrong).
Definitely won’t happen: Roger Federer will win the tournament pregnant.
Scott Pryde
Men’s singles champion: Roger Federer
Runner-up: Grigor Dimitrov
Women’s singles champion: Garbine Muguruza
Runner-up: Venus Williams
Last Aussie left standing: Nick Kyrgios, Ashleigh Barty and Daria Gavrilova. All making the fourth round before losing to Grigor Dimitrov, Simona Halep and Venus Williams respectively.
Definitely will happen: A million and one advertisements for shows beginning ‘after the tennis’.
Definitely won’t happen: Novak Djokovic doing anything amazing. He lost to Lleyton Hewitt on Wednesday folks… in an exhibition tie breaker, granted… but he lost to a retired player!
Stormer
Guest
I'm with the majority, I'm hoping for Roger to rack up a 20th major title. It's interesting none of the "experts" have the djoker making the final. While I think Roger will prevail, one can never write off the djoker, especially if he gets some momentum during the first few rounds.
BEPE
Guest
Men’s Singles Champion - Dominic Thiem Runner Up - Pablo Carreno Busta Women’s Singles Champion - Sloane Stephens Runner Up - Garbine Muguruza Last Aussie - Daria Gavrilova Definitely happen - All Aus men bundled out of Singles by end of Rd 2 Definitely won’t happen - Venus Williams to win first Rd match in straight sets, Also Margaret Court to make appearance or offer interview
Brian
Guest
I'm gonna tip Djokovic. He was injured last year but many seem to forget just how good he is in Melbourne. 6 time champion, more often then Federer who has 5.
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Roar Guru
Men’s singles champion: Roger Federer. Runner-up: Rafael Nadal. Women’s singles champion: Elina Svitolina. Runner-up: Karolina Pliskova. Last Aussie left standing: Men: Nick Kyrgios (third round), Ashleigh Barty (fourth round). Definitely will happen: Novak Djokovic coming from the back of the field to reach at least the semi-finals. Definitely won’t happen: Roaming Brian, unfortunately.