Medvedev, Hurkacz, Zverev: Picking the best threat to Alcaraz and Sinner at the Australian Open
Right now, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are setting the pace in world tennis, and their form through 2025 is making it hard for anyone else to catch up.
Sinner got a bit of payback at the ATP Finals last weekend after losing out to Alcaraz at the US Open in August. The Spaniard was quick to show respect for what was a strong performance from the Italian.
Their rivalry has definitely caught people’s attention, but some feel it could do with another player stepping in—similar to how Novak Djokovic changed things up when he started challenging Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
With the Australian Open approaching, many are wondering who could break through if it’s not one of them lifting the trophy this time.
Rennae Stubbs names her Australian Open contender outside Sinner and Alcaraz
Novak Djokovic will draw plenty of attention in Melbourne, with many viewing the tournament as perhaps his best shot at another major title.
Musetti had kind words for Djokovic after falling to him in the Athens Open final, and the Serbian withdrew from the ATP Finals shortly after picking up that title.
Stubbs now sees Djokovic as the leading challenger behind Alcaraz and Sinner, backing him to put together a serious run at another Australian Open crown.
Speaking on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, she said: “I do think that Novak is setting his sights [on Australia]. I don’t think he cared about the ATP Finals, clearly, he didn’t play it.
“I think he is going to put all this time and effort into busting his a— one last time to win down in Australia.”
“There are also injuries. An injury can happen to a player, and there have been a couple of players who have slipped through and won a Grand Slam because a player got injured.” Stubbs added.
Djokovic’s clearest path may lie in Melbourne
While Djokovic has long been successful on grass courts, where Wimbledon falls on the calendar might not work in his favour these days.
He’s already won 10 titles there, and by skipping the ATP Finals this year, he should arrive fresher than usual. Last year’s event saw him take down Alcaraz before an injury forced him out against Alexander Zverev in the semis. He’ll be hoping for better luck this time around.
A 25th Grand Slam would be quite the way for him to sign off on what has already been an incredible career. But at 38 years old, even Djokovic knows opportunities like this one aren’t going to come around often anymore.
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