TENNIS: AUSTRALIAN OPEN MEN'S PENPIX
Penpix of leading contenders for the Australian Open men's title:
NOVAK DJOKOVIC (SRB)
World ranking: 1
Birthdate: May 22, 1987
Birthplace: Belgrade, Serbia
Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Height: 6'2" (187 cm)
Weight: 176 lbs (80 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned pro: 2003
Career singles titles: 28
Grand slam singles titles: 4 (Australian Open 2008, 2011, Wimbledon 2011, US Open 2011)
Career prize money: $32,882,760
Best Australian Open result: Champion (2008, 2011)
- Coming off a stellar 2011 with 10 titles in 11 finals after beginning the year with a 41-match unbeaten run. Won three of the four grand slams last year and was the first player other than Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal to finish a season as number one since 2003. Favoured by hardcourt surface at Australian Open.
RAFAEL NADAL (ESP)
World ranking: 2
Birthdate: June 3, 1986
Birthplace: Manacor, Mallorca, Spain
Residence: Manacor, Mallorca, Spain
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
Weight: 188 lbs (85 kg)
Plays: Left-handed
Turned pro: 2001
Career singles titles: 46
Grand slam singles titles: 10 (Australian Open 2009; French Open 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011; Wimbledon 2008, 2010; US Open 2010)
Career prize money: $45,114,407
Best Australian Open result: Champion (2009)
- Finished in top-two rankings for the seventh straight year. Clinched a sixth French Open last year to equal Bjorn Borg's record, but was runner-up to Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon and US Open. The Australian Open is his least successful grand slam with one win, one semi-final and three quarter-final appearances in his past five visits to Melbourne.
ROGER FEDERER (SUI)
World ranking: 3
Birthdate: Aug 8, 1981
Birthplace: Basel, Switzerland
Residence: Bottmingen, Switzerland
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
Weight: 187 lbs (84 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned pro: 1998
Career singles titles: 70
Grand slam singles titles: 16 (Australian Open 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010; French Open 2009; Wimbledon 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009; US Open 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)
Career prize money: $67,479,965
Best Australian Open result: Champion (2004, 2006, 2007, 2010)
- No grand slam title last season for the first time since 2002 and was runner-up to Rafael Nadal at the French Open after his stunning win over Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals. Winner of four Australian Opens. Age may be catching up with the all-time grand slam champion but always difficult to beat in the best-of-five-sets format.
ANDY MURRAY (GBR)
World ranking: 4
Birthdate: May 15, 1987
Birthplace: Dunblane, Scotland
Residence: London, England
Height: 6'3" (191 cm)
Weight: 185 lbs (83 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned pro: 2005
Career singles titles: 22
Grand slam singles titles: 0
Career prize money: $19,221,761
Best Australian Open result: Runner-up (2010, 2011)
- Constantly under pressure to end his country's 76-year wait for a grand slam men's singles champion. Runner-up at the past two Australian Opens behind Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Started the new season with victory in the lead-up Brisbane International. Now coached by tennis great Ivan Lendl.
JO-WILFRIED TSONGA (FRA)
World ranking: 6
Birthdate: April 17, 1985
Birthplace: Le Mans, France
Residence: La Rippe, Switzerland
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
Weight: 200 lbs (90 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned pro: 2004
Career singles titles: 7
Grand slam singles titles: 0
Career prize money: $8,478,346
Best Australian Open result: Runner-up (2008)
- Top-ranked French player who finished in the top 10 for the third time in four years. Best run at the Australian Open was four years ago when he beat Andy Murray, Richard Gasquet and Rafael Nadal before losing to Novak Djokovic in the final. With a powerful all-court game, Tsonga looms as the best chance outside the top four.
