Australian Open Preview: Djokovic's biggest hurdles

It was no surprise that Novak Djokovic won the 2016 Australian Open—his fifth title in Melbourne in six years. It wasn’t that shocking that he finally won his first French Open crown, either.

But it was nearly impossible to predict that the best player in the world, who after winning in Paris held all four Grand Slam titles simultaneously, would finish the rest of his season 21-6 with just one more title (Toronto).

“I felt like the second six months of the year were very valuable because I was always saying that you can learn a lot more from your lost tennis matches,” Djokovic said in Doha. “I definitely don't see it as an unsuccessful year. I don't see it as a crisis. I don't see it as any of that.”

The end of 2016 may not have been a crisis for Djokovic, but it wasn’t as successful as usual. The 29-year-old began Wimbledon without having lost a set during the first week of a Grand Slam since he visited the All England Club in 2014. Yet shockingly, he fell to American Sam Querrey in the third round in four sets, snapping his 30-match winning streak at the majors.

Despite the disappointment, Djokovic bounced back quickly to become the first player to win 30 ATP Masters 1000 events in Toronto. Any momentum Djokovic gained didn’t last long.

A resurgent Juan Martin del Potro, who eventually earned a silver medal, handed Djokovic his first opening round loss at a tournament since 2009 by defeating the Serbian in two tiebreakers at the Olympics.

The 12-time Grand Slam champion laid low until the US Open, where he reached the final. But again, a loss ruined his fortnight. Despite being the heavy favorite against third-seeded Stan Wawrinka, he succumbed in four sets.

Djokovic second half of the year was not poor by any means, but it paled in comparison to the performance by his chief rival, Andy Murray.

Murray went on a 45-3 run after losing to Djokovic in the French Open final. His biggest victories? A second Wimbledon trophy, the Olympic gold medal in Rio and the title at the ATP World Tour Finals.

Not only did Murray beat Djokovic in their last match of the year, but he took the Serbian’s No. 1 ranking with it.

So for all intents and purposes, Murray should be the favorite at this year’s Australian Open. But if the duo’s meeting last week in Doha—Djokovic won in a tight three-setter—shows anything, it’s that the man who has dominated tennis in recent years will never be far away from the top.