The Australian Open kicks off this Sunday in Melbourne, featuring some electrifying first-round matchups in the men’s and women’s singles draws.
The Athletic reporters Matthew Futterman and James Hansen delve into the exciting draws and share their top picks for standout matches in the early rounds.
Is This a Boost for Carlos Alcaraz’s Grand Slam Aspirations?
Alcaraz, aiming to be the youngest man to achieve a career Grand Slam, finds himself favored in every major, sharing the spotlight with Jannik Sinner. With Alcaraz and Sinner holding the No. 1 and No. 2 rankings and a significant points gap to Alexander Zverev at No. 3, dethroning them appears increasingly challenging. Alcaraz has an advantageous draw for this pivotal title, despite Zverev’s presence in his half. Zverev starts against Canadian Gabriel Diallo and may face Alexei Popyrin in a spirited atmosphere in the second round.
Félix Auger-Aliassime, the No. 7 seed, is the highest-ranked opponent in Alcaraz’s section.
The defending champion Sinner, on the other hand, faces Novak Djokovic in his half and might encounter a tricky third-round clash against João Fonseca, but minimal threats loom ahead.
A Challenge for Iga Świątek?
Świątek might feel a bit unsettled by the draw as it mirrors her U.S. Open run, which included matches against Anna Kalinskaya and Amanda Anisimova—both of whom recently bested her at the WTA Tour Finals. Like Alcaraz, Świątek eyes the career Grand Slam after clinching Wimbledon last year, but faces several daunting opponents with a history of troubling her.
Can Novak Djokovic Maintain Balance?
Djokovic encountered a mixed bag in 2025, reaching all four major semifinals despite not making a single final. His Australian Open draw suggests a similar trajectory, with few likely to pose a challenge before a possibly fierce semifinal clash with Jannik Sinner. Djokovic starts with Pedro Martinez, and his quarter is filled with familiar foes like Taylor Fritz and Hubert Hurkacz.
A possible test lies ahead against Jakub Menšík, who surprisingly defeated Djokovic in the Miami Open final, yet Menšík has yet to prove himself in a major until now.
A Women’s Favorite Who Struggles in Finals?
Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 and two-time Australian Open champion, faces her own challenges. Having recently clinched the Brisbane title (34 wins in 36 matches), she remains a tough contender. Clouds linger over her recent finals performances—4-3 in major finals, with two losses last year. While the competition remains fierce with players like Coco Gauff, Świątek, Anisimova, and Rybakina, they may only find opportunities if they reach the final round against her.
Matt Futterman’s Matches to Watch:
Victoria Mboko (17) vs. Emerson Jones (WC)
Hailey Baptiste vs. Marketa Vondroušová (32)
Alexander Bublik (10) vs. Jenson Brooksby
Ben Shelton (8) vs. Ugo Humbert
