Sinner holds a 6-4 head-to-head record against Djokovic, securing five consecutive wins recently. The Italian player previously defeated Djokovic in the 2024 Australian Open semifinals, en route to claiming his first career Grand Slam title.

Djokovic (right) shakes hands with Sinner after their 2024 Australian Open semifinal match at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia. Photo: Reuters

"The draw is tough, it doesn't matter who you play", Sinner, who boasts a 22-4 win-loss record at the tournament, said during the draw on 15/1. "We are the best players in the world, and there is a long road ahead. We will take it one round at a time".

Sinner, the second seed, aims for a hat-trick of titles at Melbourne Park and his fifth career Grand Slam. He will face French left-hander Hugo Gaston in the first round.

Djokovic targets his 25th Grand Slam title, aiming to surpass Margaret Court's record for the most singles Grand Slam titles in tennis history. The Serbian player will begin his Australian Open campaign against Spanish opponent Pedro Martinez.

World number one Carlos Alcaraz seeks his seventh Grand Slam and a career Grand Slam (winning all four different Grand Slams). The Spanish player is in the same semifinal bracket as Alexander Zverev. Alcaraz will start his campaign against local hope Adam Walton.

Two notable first-round matches include sixth seed Alex de Minaur against former world number 6 Matteo Berrettini, and Alexander Zverev facing powerful young server Gabriel Diallo. Home favorite Thanasi Kokkinakis announced his withdrawal just before the draw, while Australia's "bad boy" Nick Kyrgios also declared himself unfit to play singles.

The 2026 Australian Open features record total prize money compared to previous seasons. The singles champion will take home USD 2,8 million, an increase of approximately USD 400,000 from last year. Players reaching the main draw will receive at least USD 100,000. The main draw begins on 18/1. The women's singles final will take place on 31/1, and the men's singles final on sunday 1/2.

Vy Anh