With the Australian Open kicking off tomorrow we've taken the opportunity to compare some of tennis' biggest names to our very own Hawks stars...

Roger Federer- Shaun Burgoyne

An easy one to start with. Both known for their silky skills and coolness under pressure, Burgoyne and Federer have built incredibly decorated careers that few in their respective sports could match. Interestingly, both superstars boast a similar record when reaching the pinnacle of their sports with Burgoyne playing in six Grand Finals to take home four premiership medals at a 66% success rate, while Federer’s 17 grand slam title wins from 27 finals comes in at a very similar 63% winning frequency. Publicly loved for their demeanour and friendliness off the sporting arena, they have become some of the most respected figures in their sporting landscape. But it is on the grass where they have felt most at home, with Federer winning seven grand slam titles at the home of tennis, Wimbledon, whilst Burgoyne boasts a similarly impressive 73% winning record in his 100 games at the home of footy, the MCG.

Rafael Nadal- Jaeger O’Meara

One look at these two standing side by side would be enough to understand the similarity. Both standing at 185cm tall, they are physical specimens, with endless physical attributes. Both combine an incredible work ethic and fitness level, with a high degree of skill and finesse. On court and field their playing styles have a strong correlation; with power and aggression being key features of their games. Onlookers could foresee the greatness that lay ahead for both athletes from a young age as by the age of 16, Nadal had already reached the top 50 ATP world rankings and O’Meara had won a best on ground in a senior league Grand Final victory to quickly etch his name into the minds of recruiters across the country. Yet despite being fiercely competitive in the field of play, both O’Meara and Nadal are renowned for their polite and well-mannered nature off-field.

Milos Raonic- Josh Gibson

This pairing packs a serious punch, as both Raonic and Gibson own their game’s crown at their respective sports greatest show of power. Equally intimidating, big men in their fields, their nicknames carry a similar sentiment, as Raonic gets “the Missile” around tennis circles while Gibson is known for his “Golden Fist”. They have the stats to match as well. Raonic holds the fifth fastest recorded serve speed ever, after he rocketed one down at 250km/h back in 2012. While Gibson holds the league record for spoils effected in a game, punching out 21 spoils in the 2011 semi-final against the Sydney Swans.

Gael Monfils- Cyril Rioli

Many Hawks fans would suggest that a YouTube search of “Cyril Rioli highlights” could keep one entertained for hours, and they would be absolutely correct. But the Rioli equivalent in the tennis world is undoubtedly the popular Frenchman Gael Monfils. Since reaching a semi-final of the French Open in 2008, the same year Cyril begun bedazzling the footy world, Monfils has been a favourite of the tennis circuit and, like Cyril, a regular fixture on any given highlight reel. Monfils was considered an athletics prodigy at school, winning multiple national junior 100m championships. His coach says that he could have made the Olympic 100m final such was his talent; a notion Hawks fan would probably echo for Cyril. Although the Frenchman has yet to achieve the ultimate success that Cyril has, Monfils enters the 2017 Australian Open coming off a career best year in 2016, reaching the quarter final in the Australian Open and the semi-final in the US Open.

Novak Djokovic- Jarryd Roughead

As well as being among their respective sports most successful players over the last decade, this pair also enjoy immense popularity given their laidback nature and infectious personalities. Both born in 1987 and turning 30 this year, they have been competing at the highest level for well over a decade and have enjoyed quite constant success since their initiation. Djokovic made his first Grand Slam tournament appearance by qualifying for the 2005 Australian Open, the same year that Roughead debuted for Hawthorn and played 16 games. Roughead’s four premiership medallions put him in rare company. While Djokovic has won 12 Grand Slam singles titles, the fourth most in history, and held the number one spot in the ATP rankings for a total of 223 weeks, over a period that saw the Hawks cap off an historical three-peat of premierships. Versatility has been a key component of both champions’ careers, just as Djokovic has arguably the most complete tennis game in the world, Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson knows he can throw “Roughy” anywhere to get a job done.