MELBOURNE, Australia — With no Serena Williams in the draw at the Australian Open, there’s certainly an opportunity for another women’s player to go on a surprising run and emerge as a first-time Grand Slam champion, as Sloane Stephens and Jelena Ostapenko did last year.

Just don’t describe the first Grand Slam of the year as “more open” than usual.

Sloane Stephens won the U.S. Open last year, but struggled in the aftermath of her first major title, losing seven straight matches. Associated Press/Adam Hunger

Britain's Johanna Konta celebrates after defeating Russia's Ekaterina Makarova during their fourth round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 23, 2017. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Jelena Ostapenko beat Simona Halep at the French Open last year to win the first Grand Slam title of her career. Associated Press/Christophe Ena

Australian Open

WHEN: Jan. 15-28

FINALS: Women Jan. 27, men Jan. 28

TV: ESPN and Tennis Channel

Time difference: Melbourne, Australia is 16 hours ahead. Midnight Eastern time is 4 p.m. in Melbourne

“Whenever I get asked that question, it always comes across in really kind of an almost negative way instead of acknowledging how many great players we have,” Johanna Konta, who reached the Wimbledon semifinals last year, said in her news conference Saturday.

“The depth in women’s tennis I really do believe in the last few years has gotten so strong,” she added. “There’s no straight sailing to the quarters or semis. It doesn’t exist.”

Stephens agrees the Australian Open field is still extremely tough, even with Serena Williams, the defending champion and 23-time major winner, skipping the tournament as she continues her recovery from a complicated childbirth in September.

“There’s a lot of great players,” she said. “It’s up for grabs.”

Indeed, any number of women could be holding the trophy at Melbourne Park in two weeks. The No. 1-ranking changed seven times in 2017, with five different women assuming top spot – three for the first time.

One, Simona Halep, is looking to finally break through and win her first major after twice finishing runner-up. She won the season-opening Shenzhen Open in China, but has had mixed previous results at Melbourne Park, losing in the first round the last two years.

“I don’t feel pressure. I feel OK. I feel fit. I feel ready to start,” she said. “I have one more goal: to win a Grand Slam.”

Stephens came out of nowhere to win the U.S. Open last year after a lengthy time out with an injury to her left foot. She’s struggled to adjust to the sudden stardom that’s come with being a Grand Slam champion – she’s lost seven straight matches since September – but believes she can find her game again in Melbourne.

There are plenty of other contenders, too. Ostapenko has rocketed up the rankings after her stunning win at last year’s French Open. Venus Williams is a threat again at 37 years old, and 2016 Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber is playing well after a subpar year, capturing the Sydney International title on Saturday.

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