Federer says Djokovic Aussie Open main draw

MELBOURNE, Australia – Roger Federer says the so-called Big Four in men’s tennis – he, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal – still exists, with one possible notation and an addition.

“Novak deserves like a little star next to his name right now because he’s been doing extremely well,” Federer said Saturday.

The Australian Open begins Monday with Djokovic set to defend his 2015 crown and aim for title No. 6 at Melbourne Park. Last year, Djokovic won 27 of his 28 matches in Grand Slam tournaments, capturing three majors and finishing runner-up to Stan Wawrinka at the French Open.

That run left Djokovic unquestionably as No. 1, with Murray second, Federer No. 3, Wawrinka ranked fourth and Nadal, after a series of injuries, back to a spot in the top five.

Order restored, says Federer.

“Who’s had the most success? The top five guys really, with Stan, you know, Murray, myself, Novak and Rafa,” said Federer, who plays his first-round match Monday. “Now the rankings are back to more normal again after Rafa’s worked his way back up.”

Djokovic, in the same half of the draw as Federer, will open his defense against Chung Hyeon of South Korea and, if results go with rankings, could meet No. 7 Kei Nishikori in the quarterfinals and Federer in the semis.

Federer, who has won four Australian titles among his 17 majors, opens against Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia, and possibly Alexandr Dolgopolov in the second and No. 27 Grigor Dimitrov in the third.

No 2-ranked Murray will open against Alexander Zverev of Germany and, in the same half of the draw, 2014 champion Wawrinka takes on Dmitry Tursonov.