Djokovic to Sinner: 5 men to watch at Australian Open

Djokovic To Sinner: 5 Men To Watch At Australian Open

Serbia's Novak Djokovic serves during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 11. AFP-Yonhap

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic serves throughout a apply session forward of the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 11. AFP-Yonhap

Novak Djokovic is concentrating on an eleventh Australian Open title and document twenty fifth Grand Slam crown however faces an uphill battle towards Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

AFP Sport highlights 5 potential winners of the primary Grand Slam of the 12 months, which begins on Sunday:

Novak Djokovic

He could also be 37 however the Serb can by no means be written off on Melbourne Park’s blue hardcourts, the place he has loved monumental success.

Ranked seventh on the planet, Djokovic gained Olympic gold in 2024 however failed to gather a serious for the primary time since 2017, leaving his bid to raised Margaret Courtroom’s all-time 24 Slam titles unfulfilled.

Crushed within the Melbourne semi-finals final 12 months by eventual champion Sinner, he has enlisted the assistance of long-time rival Andy Murray as coach to try to assist him obtain the feat.

Ought to he accomplish that, it is going to be his one hundredth profession title, simply the third man within the Open period to succeed in the milestone behind Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103).

Italy's Jannik Sinner returns a shot to Netherlands' Tallon Griekspoor during their final singles match between Italy and Netherlands at the Davis Cup Finals at the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena arena in Malaga, southern Spain, Nov. 24, 2024. AFP-Yonhap

Italy’s Jannik Sinner returns a shot to Netherlands‘ Tallon Griekspoor throughout their remaining singles match between Italy and Netherlands on the Davis Cup Finals on the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena enviornment in Malaga, southern Spain, Nov. 24, 2024. AFP-Yonhap

Jannik Sinner

The Italian gained his maiden Grand Slam title in Australia final 12 months, beating Daniil Medvedev within the remaining, and went on to determine himself because the undisputed world primary.

He gained eight titles in 2024, together with his second main on the U.S. Open whereas making the semis at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

Sinner accomplished a sensational 12 months by main Italy to a profitable defence of the Davis Cup, changing into the primary participant since Federer in 2005 to undergo a season with out a defeat in straight units.

However the 23-year-old’s season was rocked by doping accusations that he denies.

A listening to right into a World Anti-Doping Company enchantment towards his preliminary exoneration for twice testing constructive for traces of the steroid clostebol final 12 months will probably be heard in April.

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz plays a backhand return during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 10. AP-Yonhap

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz performs a backhand return throughout a apply session forward of the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 10. AP-Yonhap

Carlos Alcaraz

Nonetheless simply 21, the Spaniard already owns 4 Grand Slam titles — together with the French Open and Wimbledon final 12 months — since bursting on the scene with victory on the U.S. Open in 2022.

However he’s but to transcend the quarter-finals in Melbo.

Already the youngest man to assert majors on all three surfaces — clay, onerous and grass — he’ll surpass compatriot Rafael Nadal because the youngest to finish a profession Grand Slam ought to he triumph in Australia.

Alcaraz, who has by no means misplaced a Grand Slam remaining, completed an injury-marred 2024 because the world quantity three after successful 4 titles to take his profession tally to 16.

Germany's Alexander Zverev hits a return during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 11. AFP-Yonhap

Germany’s Alexander Zverev hits a return throughout a apply session forward of the Australian Open tennis match in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 11. AFP-Yonhap

Alexander Zverev

The German has been pursuing a Grand Slam breakthrough for practically a decade, ending runner-up on the French Open in 2024 and the U.S. Open in 2020 however unable to take the ultimate step.

After struggling an ankle damage within the semi-final of Roland Garros in 2022, his return to the highest was sluggish.

In that point, Sinner and Alcaraz took up the mantle of Grand Slam kings.

However the 27-year-old heads into the brand new season with renewed vigour after ending 2024 as world quantity two, successful extra matches than anybody bar Sinner.

A two-time semi-finalist in Australia, together with final 12 months when he misplaced to Daniil Medvedev, Zverev is aware of he must win majors.

Russia's Daniil Medvedev plays a forehand return during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 10. AP-Yonhap

Russia’s Daniil Medvedev performs a forehand return throughout a apply session forward of the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 10. AP-Yonhap

Daniil Medvedev

The feisty Russian didn’t win a title final 12 months, however has usually executed effectively on the opening Grand Slam of the 12 months, reaching three of the final 4 finals.

He was outplayed by Djokovic in 2021 earlier than a heart-wrenching defeat to Rafael Nadal a 12 months later, then imploded towards Sinner in 2024, crashing in 5 units after being two up.

With Sinner and Alcaraz beginning to dominate, the 28-year-old admitted within the low season that he should „reinvent“ himself, lowering his error-count and changing into extra aggressive.

The 2021 U.S. Open champion is presently world quantity 5 and can start his bid for a second main title after a low-key build-up. (AFP)

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