Top players such as Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have chosen not to play official tournaments before the 2025 Australian Open. The world No. 1, who has shown an impressive level in 2024, carried out his preparation in Dubai before returning to Italy to spend Christmas with his family.
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After resuming training in Monte Carlo, the Italian ace flew to Australia to start testing the courts on which the first Major of the new season will be played. The 23-year-old from Sesto Pusteria will have to defend the title won last year and all his opponents will try to beat him.
Alcaraz - on the other hand - practiced with his two coaches Juan Carlos Ferrero and Samuel Lopez in Spain and focused mainly on the serve, the shot he believes he needs to improve as soon as possible. The young Spaniard will reach Melbourne in the coming days and will finally hope to play his best tennis at the AOs, where he has never gone beyond the quarterfinals so far.
Sinner and Alcaraz will play two matches
In the week leading up to the Happy Slam, Jannik and Carlitos will play two exhibition matches each on the iconic Rod Laver Arena. In this way, the two top favorites to lift the trophy will be able to assess their condition a few days before the start of the tournament (which kicks off on January 12).
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Notably, Sinner will face local idol Alexei Popyrin and Stefanos Tsitsipas before beginning his title defense. Carlos on the other hand will face Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin.
The schedule of the 'AO Fan Week' also includes the second edition of 'A Night With Novak', a format that had been very successful last year. Djokovic who will try to win his 11th title at Melbourne Park will be the big star of the night along with the champions of other sports.
In addition, a mixed doubles match is scheduled in which Aryna Sabalenka, Alexander Zverev and Coco Gauff will play.
