Melbourne, Jan 16: Top seed Carlos Alcaraz will take centre stage when the Australian Open begins on Sunday at Melbourne Park, with the world No. 1 chasing a milestone that could define the next era of men’s tennis. He is followed in the draw by second seed Jannik Sinner, setting the stage for a potential blockbuster final.
At just 22, Alcaraz stands on the brink of history. He has already conquered Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open, leaving only one missing piece in his Grand Slam collection. The Melbourne Park crown remains the only major he has never won, with his best runs ending in the quarterfinals in 2024 and 2025.
A triumph in Melbourne would make Alcaraz the youngest men’s player ever to complete the Career Grand Slam, surpassing Rafael Nadal.
Rafael Nadal (Spain) won the French Open, Australian Open, Wimbledon, and US Open by the age of 24 years and 101 days. He completed the Career Grand Slam with a US Open victory in New York on 14 September 2010.
Speaking at a pre-tournament press conference, Alcaraz said: “I think this is my main goal for this year.To be a real champion, you have to adapt to every surface, every atmosphere.”
Standing directly in his path is second seed Jannik Sinner, the two-time defending champion who has turned Melbourne Park into his personal fortress. The Italian arrives chasing a rare three-peat, riding a 14-match winning streak at the Australian Open and buoyed by his victory over Alcaraz in the 2025 ATP Finals.
Between them, Alcaraz and Sinner have captured the last eight Grand Slam titles, underlining a dominance that has reshaped the men’s game.
Alcaraz is scheduled to open his campaign on Sunday against Australian favourite Adam Walton, with a vocal home crowd expected to add early intrigue. The tournament also marks his first Grand Slam since parting ways with long-time coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, adding another layer of scrutiny to his title bid.
With Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev also looming in the draw, Melbourne is set for a blockbuster fortnight — one that could define tennis’s next chapter.
Source: The Hindu
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