Novak Djokovic is due to take on a collosal path in this year's Australian Open with Spanish wiz Carlos Alcaraz set to be waiting for him in the quarter-finals, but with new coach and three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray now in his corner, we can expect a sizzling few weeks ahead.

Australian Open begins Jan. 12 in Melbourne, and the draws for the men’s and women’s singles are intriguing — and have thrown up some blockbuster first-round matches. The Athletic’s tennis writers, Matthew Futterman and Charlie Eccleshare,

Italy's Jannik Sinner returns the ball to Netherlands' Tallon Griekspoor during the Davis Cup final tennis match between Netherlands and Italy at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall in Malaga, southern Spain, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. Credit: AP/Manu Fernandez

Defending champion Jannik Sinner and 10-time Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic have landed in opposite sides of the draw for the season's first major, with Carlos Alcaraz in the same quarter as Djokovic.

Novak Djokovic is targeting an 11th Australian Open title and record 25th Grand Slam crown but faces an uphill battle against Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

Novak Djokovic and new coach Andy Murray have been seen practising together for the first time ahead of the start of the Australian Open on Sunday.

Jannik Sinner's game is built to wear down opponents over five sets, which will help him against Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open, according to coach Mark Petchey.

Tennis expert and respected coach Mark Petchey believes Jannik Sinner has one “huge” advantage over Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open. Sinner is the defending champion at the season-opening Grand Slam and he will also start the tournament as the world No 1 and top seed.