The first Grand Slam of the 2017 season is just around the corner, and it's a perfect opportunity to lay the foundation for the year ahead. While the big players will be under the brightest spotlight, the Australian players will be watched closely.
Here are the homegrown ATP stars that stand a chance of going deep in Melbourne:
1
Age: 21
Ranking: No. 14
Best Australian Open result: 2015, quarterfinals
Kyrgios had a tumultuous, yet wildly successful, 2016. He was suspended in October for allegedly tanking a match during in Shanghai and the incident hasn't been the only unruly behavior from the Aussie. However, despite the controversy surrounding him, one thing is certain: he has plenty of talent.
While he didn't defend his 2015 Australian Open run last year, he did win three titles— Marseille, Atlanta and Tokyo— while reaching a career-high ranking of No. 13. The 21-year-old did seem sincerely regretful about how his season ended in Shanghai, and even with his knee-injury concerns, he could be ready for a fresh start in 2017 by ruffling more feathers in Melbourne.