It’s time for the first Slam of the year! The Australian Open has kicked off with qualifiers this week, leading up to the main draw on Sunday, January 18. On the men’s side, Jannik Sinner returns as the two-time defending champion, feeling the weight of expectation. Carlos Alcaraz is fired up for a Career Slam and his first AO crown, ready to chase history.

On the women’s side, Madison Keys is back to defend her title, facing heat from the top three-ranked WTA stars. It’s the start of a new season, fresh energy, and the Happy Slam is ready for new stories. But before that, five players will need to bring their best from the very first ball.

1. Eyeing the elusive milestone – Novak Djokovic

It’s been a tough run for Djokovic at the Grand Slams. The 38-year-old reached the semifinals of all four majors last season, showing his consistency once again. Yet, for all that effort, he couldn’t break through to a final or claim his record 25th Slam. The last time the Serb lifted a major trophy was at the 2023 US Open, when he beat Daniil Medvedev in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3. This year, though, the road looks steeper, and a few more obstacles stand in his way.

He is chasing another Australian Open crown that would make him the most decorated Grand Slam champion in history. Since his 24th major at the 2023 U.S. Open, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have set a blazing pace at the top, delivering the kind of dynamic tennis that has left everyone, even Djokovic, working hard to keep up.

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Turning 39 in May, Novak Djokovic is acutely aware of the physical toll of two decades on tour. Yet few have ever written off one of the fiercest competitors in the sport’s history. His 2025 season proved he still belongs among the elite, reaching all four major semifinals before falling to Sinner in Paris and Wimbledon, and to Alcaraz in New York.

“I lost three out of four slams in semis against these guys, so they’re just too good, playing on a really high level,” he said after his U.S. Open defeat. “Best-of-five makes it very, very difficult for me to play them. Particularly if it’s like the end stages of a Grand Slam.”

On the other hand, Nole is taking precautions to keep his health intact for AO. He skipped the Adelaide warm-up event this January, creating brief speculation about his readiness. Tournament director Craig Tiley was quick to quash any doubts.

“He’ll be here to play 100%,” Tiley assured. “Just out of the abundance of caution, he just wanted to make sure he’s 100% ready. He’s won this event 10 times. He wants to go for that record, and this is the place that he has the best chance of doing it.”

For now, he’s coming into the tournament well rested. Only time will tell if he pushes this campaign into a deep run. But he’s not the only one on the ATP front.

2. Stefanos Tsitsipas needs to redo last year’s setback

Last year didn’t unfold the way Stefanos Tsitsipas had hoped. The Greek’s 2025 season started with a shock exit in the first round of the Australian Open to rising American Alex Michelson. After reaching the final in 2023, the early loss stung as he fell 5-7, 3-6, 6-2, 4-6. He managed just one title in Dubai and struggled at the Slams, falling early in Paris, London, and New York before a lingering back injury forced him to shut down the rest of his season.

Coming into 2026, Stefanos Tsitsipas is eager to turn things around, though his opener at the Adelaide International didn’t go as planned. Seeded seventh, he fell in straight tie-break sets to Aleksandar Vukic. Still, the United Cup offered redemption. Stefanos went 3-0, including a hard-fought win over Billy Harris, showing flashes of his top form. After slipping out of the Top 20 for the first time since 2018, this strong start has brought a spark back to his game.

“I am playing good tennis,” the 27-year-old said. “I won’t let a result like this define the beginning of my year. I’m just focused on big goals, and I want to accomplish great things this year. It all depends on me, how much I’m going to work on the court and the consistency that I’m going to show every single day.”

As a two-time Grand Slam finalist, he knows what it takes to go deep at a major. With his confidence returning and the Australian Open ahead, Stefanos looks ready to chase redemption in Melbourne.

3. Alexander Zverev’s revenge still awaits

The German No.1 came agonizingly close last year, reaching his maiden Australian Open final before defending champion Jannik Sinner snatched the trophy away again. It was another tough blow for Sascha, who’s also fallen short in the finals of the 2020 US Open and 2024 Roland Garros. After that heartbreak, he promised to return stronger.

But the start to 2026 hasn’t gone as planned. Leading Germany at the United Cup, Alexander Zverev suffered a surprising round-robin defeat to Hubert Hurkacz, his serve faltering when he needed it most. The frustration showed again this week during practice with Alex de Minaur. One mistimed slice hit the net, and Zverev launched his racket over the boards, a flash of emotion that mirrored his earlier outburst against Hurkacz.

As the 2025 Australian Open runner-up enters this year’s event as the third seed, the pressure is unmistakable. The draw will be revealed on Thursday, and everyone’s watching to see if he can steady his nerves and find his groove. For Zverev, this isn’t just another Slam. It’s a race against time to finally seize that long-awaited major title.

4. Coco Gauff’s ranking is in trouble with AO

Gauff is heading into Melbourne with plenty of fire. The American star saw her ranking dip to No.4 after Amanda Anisimova jumped ahead, but she’s reclaimed her spot just in time for the Happy Slam. Last year, Coco’s run ended in the quarterfinals against Paula Badosa, a step down from her 2024 semifinal appearance, where Sabalenka stopped her. This time, she’s coming in hungry for more after a year full of highs and lessons.

Since her last Australian Open, Coco Gauff’s season has been a mix of triumphs and tests. She conquered the French Open, beating Sabalenka for the title, and defended her China Open crown with confidence. Though she couldn’t repeat at the WTA Finals, she opened the new year strong, teaming up with Team USA at the United Cup and powering them into the semifinals before bowing out to Poland. The momentum is clear, and so is her intent.

As she returns to the Australian Open, the challenges are lined up early. Defending champion Madison Keys and rising star Anisimova both loom as big threats, with the latter chasing her first major after back-to-back Slam finals at Wimbledon and the US Open.

To sharpen her edge, the American No.1 enlisted biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan, the same coach credited with improving Sabalenka’s serve. The results have shown in her improved rhythm and power, but will this be the Slam where Coco Gauff finally takes it all the way?

5. Emma Raducanu eyes her next Slam title

The British No.1 who rocked the world at the 2021 US Open as an unseeded qualifier is back, hungry to make her mark in Melbourne. The years since that dream run haven’t been easy. Injuries sidelined her for most of 2022 and beyond, cutting her momentum short. But 2025 brought a flicker of the old magic. She played with more confidence, even if a title stayed out of sight. Her best Australian Open stretch came last year when she made the third round before Iga Swiatek halted her 6-1, 6-0.

Now, Emma Raducanu enters the 2026 Australian Open ranked 28th and ready for a reset. She’s reworked her coaching team and polished her game through 2025 to prepare for this. The early draw could suit her, with possible clashes against Sloane Stephens, Katie Boulter, or rising star Anastasia Zakharova. Each brings experience or raw power, but none are unbeatable if Raducanu finds her rhythm.

Now it’s only a matter of time before these players show what they’re made of. Can this group break through the early rounds and shock the tour with deep runs or even titles?