Australian Open 2014 Draw: See Top Seeds In Men's And Women's Brackets; Preview

Novak Serena Getty Images — Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams hope to add to their already loaded trophy cases with titles in the men's and women's draws at the 2014 Australian Open. Getty Images

With a stacked field from top to bottom in both the men’s and women’s divisions, the 2014 Australian Open is sure to provide thrilling moments from start to finish. World No. 1 Rafael Nadal -- who missed last year’s Aussie Open with a knee injury -- headlines the men’s draw while the always dangerous Serena Williams headlines the field on the ladies side. Three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic enters the tournament as the No. 2 seed with Spain’s David Ferrer, Wimbledon champ Andy Murray and Juan Martin del Potro rounding out the top 5 seeds in the men’s division.

Now working with tennis legend six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker, World No. 2 Novak Djokovic hopes his new coach is able to help him capture a fourth-straight Australian Open title while reclaiming the top ranking in the world. “I'm really glad to have Boris in my team as my head coach,” he said. “I sincerely hope that he can bring that mental edge because he recognizes the situations that a top player is facing during the grand slams and the pressures and expectations and the clutch moments. That's what we hope to work on and improve the most and a couple of other elements in my game, like my serve.”

Two-time defending ladies champion Victoria Azarenka -- who defeated Maria Sharapova in 2012 and Li Na last year -- grabs the No. 2 seed with Sharapova, Na and Agnieszka Radwanska completing the first five. Understanding that a top-level performance will be needed to claim what would be her second Australian Open, Maria Sharapova -- who won the event in 2008 -- said that if she’s able to meet Serena Williams in the 2014 final she’ll need to play significantly better than she has in recent time. The 26-year-old four-time Grand Slam champion is just 2-15 in her career against Williams and has dropped 14-consecutive matches to the 17-time major champion.

“If I want to have a chance to beat Serena, I have to get myself in the match and I have to raise my level,” she said. “These what champions do, I mean, she's raised her level so much in the last couple of years. If you want to be right there, you have to do that as well.” Williams defeated Sharapova in the semifinals of the recent Brisbane International and then upended Victoria Azarenka to take the final. Hoping to use her recent success against two of the world’s best, Williams looks forward to the possibility of meeting the two ladies once again in Melbourne.

“I'm happy I was able to play both Maria and Victoria because they brought their A games against me,” she said after defeating both opponents in straight sets. “It was a great test. It showed me where my level was and I feel like I definitely have some room for improvement. I know now what I need to do for Melbourne. I look forward to it.”

Top 10 Men’s Seeds and Notables

1 Rafael Nadal

2 Novak Djokovic

3 David Ferrer

4 Andy Murray

5 Juan Martin Del Potro

6 Roger Federer

7 Tomas Berdych

8 Stanislas Wawrinka

9 Richard Gasquet

10 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

11 Milos Raonic