Australian Open: Sinner, Alcaraz rivalry takes centre stage

As the 2026 Australian Open kicks off in Melbourne, the tennis world is fixated on the growing rivalry between defending champion Jannik Sinner and World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz.

Dubbed the Sincaraz era, the duo swept all four Grand Slam titles in 2025, and pundits expect them to dominate proceedings at Melbourne Park.

Sinner, looking to win his third successive Australian Open title, enters the tournament as the bookmakers' favourite.

However, intrigue surrounds Alcaraz, who recently parted ways with his long-time coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. The Spaniard faces a tricky first-round tie against Australian hopeful Adam Walton and will be keen to prove he can succeed without his mentor.

Meanwhile, veteran Novak Djokovic remains a looming threat in the draw, though questions persist about his fitness.