Djokovic, 38, has won 10 of his 24 major titles in Melbourne, most recently in 2023. But the Serbian legend hasn’t won a Slam since the 2023 U.S. Open, as Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have vacuumed up all eight majors since then.

Novak Djokovic threw his Australian Open hopes into doubt at the start of the month after withdrawing from a warm-up event. The 38-year-old tennis great pulled out of the Adelaide International,

Nick Kyrgios recently reflected on his relationship with Novak Djokovic, stating that they get along well. Kyrgios and Djokovic last competed together at the Brisbane International.

Sinner looks to become the first player since Djokovic to win three straight titles in Melbourne. Meanwhile, Alcaraz has never advanced beyond the quarterfinals of the historic slam. Below are five players who could stop Alcaraz and Sinner at the 2026 Australian Open.

The 2026 Australian Open is almost here. Tennis fans in North America can watch every match from all 15 courts across ESPN networks and platforms live from Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia.

Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka are the top seeds ahead of the Australian Open main draw, with Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek the second seeds. Alcaraz and Sinner could become the first men to play in four consecutive grand slam finals since Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal did so between 2011 and 2012.