The first Slam of the season kicks off on Sunday, the Italian wants to confirm the success of the last two years in Australia
The draw is on Thursday and play starts on Sunday. Jannik Sinner he wants to start 2026 exactly like the last two years, by winning the Australian Open, the first Slam tournament that the Italian won in both 2024 and 2025. To those who ask him if his goal is the Grand Slam (winning the four major tournaments: Australia, France, Wimbledon and USA), the South Tyrolean replies that he is thinking about the next goal, namely Melbourne. From the scoreboard we will understand what the dangers may be for the blue and Carlos Alcarazthe two big favorites in Melbourne. In the last season the Italian and the Spaniard played tennis that was too superior to that of the rest of world tennis. It is therefore inevitable to expect an Italian-Spanish challenge in Australia too.
On the plane together
After the performance in Seoul, Jannik and Carlos traveled on the same plane with their respective staff, it is nothing new that the relationship between the two is excellent, especially off the pitch. But even with the goal in the middle there is great respect, Jannik and Carlos give the impression of wanting to overcome their limits to get the better of their rival. They have won four Slams each in the last two years and in Melbourne they are ready to cash the hefty check that goes to the winner: 2,380,000 euros, while the finalist will get 1,240,000 euros. This year the prize money at the Australian Open will be 64 million euros, 16% more than last year. Alcaraz has never won in Melbourne and if he were to do so he would be the first to have triumphed in all four major tennis tournaments at his age.
The condition
Let’s forget the performance in Seoul, more spectacle than real tennis. To understand in what conditionthe Sinners and Alcaraz they arrive in Melbourne, the first rounds of the tournament will be needed but perhaps some indication will also come from the performances that the two will perform: Alcaraz against De MInaur (Thursday 15th) and Sinner against Auger Aliassime the following day. Appointment on February 1st, the day of the Melbourne final, Sinner and Alcaraz I’m sure we’ll face each other again.
